Woman’s self-esteem all wrapped up in clothing size

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If they’re being honest, most women will admit: size matters.

I’m talking about sizing in women’s clothing, of course. (What did you think?)

Anyway, women of a certain age can tell you that once upon a time there were fashion labels that regularly were more generous when it came to sizing.

In my experience what that would mean is that while you might be a size 10 in clothing from a bargain-basement retailer, you’d fit into a size 8 from a fashion label that cost a bit more. Why would a designer do this? Because it’s been burned into our female brains that a smaller number is a better one.

I know that sounds shallow and delusional, and if you are a woman who doesn’t feel this way, more power to you. But for many females it’s hard to shake that interest in the number that is our clothing size.

The thinking is that if Brand X makes us feel good – and studies have shown that smaller sizing does gives our self-esteem a boost – we’re more likely to return to that label.

Well, times have changed, and it doesn’t sound like for the better, according to what one young woman says is happening with clothing from American Eagle Outfitters.

New Jersey’s Missy Rogers went to AEO to shop for shorts, according to a lengthy piece she posted on Facebook. She headed to the dressing room with the size she’s always worn in the past, 4 – the size of other AEO shorts she’s purchased. Once there, as she described on Facebook, she couldn’t get those shorts past her knees. Not a good feeling.

She didn’t have to go up one size. She finally fit into a size 10. Rogers says she felt discouraged thinking she must have gained a lot of weight, but bought the larger size.

Most people would be bummed and leave it at that. Rogers, though, was curious. She measured her older AEO shorts against the new pair and according to her FB post the measurements on both are the same.

Are we seeing the start of a new numbers game that’s going to leave females feeling bad about their bodies?

In a story on today.com, AEO says it’s reached out to Rogers, a Jacksonville University student, to “get her feedback on her shopping experience.” No mention on why such a drastic change.

On face value this seems like a trivial issue. Yet it isn’t, and Rogers got it right as to why this matters. She said in that Facebook post – which went viral and has been shared 70,000-plus times – she worries how this will impact young girls, who are under so much pressure these days to look a certain way.

The message that a paper-thin body is a must bombards young females on all fronts: TV, magazines, social media. If one doesn’t fit into that norm, body shaming rules. The last thing today’s young women need is an apparel store making clothing that discourages the natural curves of the female body and leaves its shoppers feeling bad about their bodies.

Plus, this isn’t just any retailer. AEO is one of those preferred labels. It has a lot of influence on young shoppers.

I think about the studies that show people like buying clothes that make them feel good. I just hope young women who are faced with and disappointed with AEO’s sizing will take their dollars somewhere where they, too, feel good.

Email: sueontiveros.cst@gmail.com

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