(no subject)

[puddingcat]

Sometimes (just sometimes), The Community That Shall not Be Named contains a gem. Todays was a link to this rant about clothing sizes.

I used to have problems finding things that went in enough at the waist; big boobs and narrow shoulders meant things that would fit at the front could be used as a rucksack in the back. Now (thank you, surgery & Mirena) I have a normal-sized chest, btu no waist. And shirts are all cut to fit women. *facepalms* Now, if I want a shirt to fit my ribcage, the shoulders hang half way to my elbows. (This is why I like corsets; reduced lung capacity - easily offset by heavng chest-style breathing - in return for having a waist again.)

I think the best example of the vanity sizing comes if you watch "Pretty Woman". I remember us all being horrified when Julia Roberts said she was a size 8, then relieved when we realised US sizes were one (ONE) below the UK equivalent. We could believe she was a UK10; she looked slim, but healthy.

Now, without having changed her actual dimensions at all, I'd be surprised if Ms. Roberts' clothes are sized above a 4.

This is why designbyclaire should be getting all your custom; she makes clothes that fit, and are better made than pretty much all High Street stuff, too!


(Am at home today; woke up with raspy throat, blocked nose & thumping headache. A dinnerplate sized pizza has helped somewhat.)

Comments

[little-smaug.livejournal.com]

Aren't US sizes two below UK sizes? So a US size 0 is a UK size 4?

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

They are now. In the late 80s, there was only one size difference.

Mind you, in the late 80s a UK size 10 meant a 24" waist. We got one in the RSPCA shop just before it closed, and it was *tiny*.

[little-smaug.livejournal.com]

Ah, ok. Why must these things be so confusing? Men's clothes get measured in inches, it would be so much simpler if ours did too.