What size are you? I have no
idea what size I am! The other day I went shopping for the first time in three
years, I needed a pair of black work pants. Even the shops did not know what
size I am. I am anywhere from a size 6 through to a 12. In vintage clothing I
can often be anywhere from a size 12 through to a 16.
I am sure any other female will
be able to tell me that the sizing policy is inconsistent. This is due to all
sorts of reasons; from some stores choosing to cut more generously- or tailor
their clothes for curvier women- to the rise of vanity sizing, where clothes
are labelled as small to give the customer a false sense of thinness. Or cheap clothing stores cutting their garments smaller.
There has never really been a
standard for women’s sizes, but years ago pattern sizes and ready-to-wear sizes
were more or less the same. But over the past 30 years or so the sizes we see
in stores have changed quite a bit. In general we are taller and fatter than previous generations, however, we wear smaller sizes!
As the sizing changed over
time it would have been an epic challenge for pattern companies to change the
sizes of sewing patterns to keep up, since the entire catalogue of available
sizes would have had to be redone. As some sewing patterns stay in print for
years. So now sewing pattern sizes don’t match up with the size labels in
our closet, and this adds even more confusion.
I have spent the last two
days attempting to draft patterns. I was going to make a small, medium and a
large for customers who do not wish to have a custom fit, however exactly what
is a small, medium and large? Do I make my sizes according to sewing standards?
High End fashion standards? Or cheaper clothing label standards?
My newest dump find, I was going to paint it and upcycle. But now it is in the space I think I may just leave it as is.
