Posts Tagged ‘sizing’

Q. I am going to be a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding this fall. She is letting us choose the style of the dress but she chose the color. Cool, I thought. The problem is that my size is not my size. Ok, I wear a 6 or 8 in all my pants, jeans, suits and dresses whether it’s Joe’s Jeans, Moschino, Gap, BCBG, or Cynthia Vincent, etc. BUT the dress people at David’s Bridal told me my size is a 14! I’m flipping out. I could never fit into a 14. I’m 137 pounds. So tell me, what is with these gown companies?
-Schizophrenic Sizing

Alison: Ouch! You’re not the first to have that “sticker shock” when reading the size label on the dresses or have the bridal salesperson looking at your body and suddenly claim a size horrifically larger than you’ve ever seen grace your curves. It seems cruel. BUT, don’t get hung up on the size of your dress. Do you think you’re going to get a shake down at the wedding and someone’s going to scream out the size on the label? Most bridal designers offer their dresses in larger sizes with the assumption that the dresses for both bride and bridesmaid will be tailored to specifically fit her body shape, whether it be to hold and support larger breasts and a slim waist or fit a girl with a small bust, but with curvy hips and thighs. So stop flipping out and know that you won’t get the pat down and be forced to divulge the size to your friends and, perhaps, beau.

Q. Do tight clothes make you look thin or are baggy clothes better?

Alison: Avoid baggy and tight—neither is appealing. Wear clothes that fit your shape and size. Baggy looks sloppy and doesn’t define a shape of the body. Tight clothes will only show off any bulges or flaws. Every designer cuts differently. There is no universal size or cut of clothing. And with the creation of vanity sizing where designers/retailers will cut larger yet put a smaller size on the label means you have to try the clothes on whenever you shop. Shopping should not be a chore. When you have the right skills, shopping can be uplifting and confidence building and needn’t take hours to accomplish a task.

Spend time trying on clothes from a variety of designer or retailers with prices that fit your budget. When you find the right fit and a variety of choices that fit your lifestyle, make those retailer the initial go-to on your list when you need to replenish pieces in your wardrobe or need something new. Shop the inexpensive shops like Forever 21 and H &M when you want to try out a trend. These shops offer “disposable” fashion at a low price. Spend more money on the classics that should last in your closet for years and keep the trends for under $100. When you spend money on quality pieces think in terms of the cost per wear ratio—the price comes down the more often you wear and longer you have the item in your wardrobe.