Wednesday, August 14, 2019

A size zero - really?


I went to do some back-to-school shopping recently and discovered that I am now a size 0.  Isn't that an oxymoron? 

I've seen people on the street who are smaller than I am.  What size are they -1?  Actually the answer is 00.  And that's it.  There are no smaller sizes.  Well I guess that's fair since only 2-3% of store inventory is size 14+ while 68% of American women are.  (George-Parkin, 2018)

Clearly the situation has gotten ridiculous.  But research shows that among people with low appearance self-esteem, smaller size labels evoke more positive self-related mental imagery.  And this in turn leads to more purchases. (Aydinoglu & Krishna, 2012)

Unfortunately, while I can, and usually do take three sizes into the dressing room, I can't do the same thing online.  I was amused to see that some of the online reviews on Speedo's site reflect the fact that they have not adopted vanity sizing.  Therefore I still wear a size 10 bathing suit.  It is also labeled 36.  I guess the reviewer didn't notice that. 

Personally I think actual waist and bust sizes are probably the best way to go.  But if you want to combine them with an arbitrary number that's ok with me.


George-Parkin, H. (2018, June 5) Size, by the Numbers.  racked.com.  Retrieved August 13, 2019, from

Aydinoglu, N. & Krishna, A. (2012, October)  Imagining thin: Why vanity sizing works.  Journal of Consumer Psychology.  Retrieved August 13, 2019, from

No comments: