Sizing Things Up

A few days ago I received a clothing catalog in the mail (real mail, not email).

This catalog was a plus size clothing catalog. Sizes 10-28. Are you kidding me?

Since when did size 10 become a plus size? At the moment I wear a plus size 14/16. I would like to get down to a size 8 or 10 but come on. It’s extremely discouraging to learn that size 10 now joins the world of plus sizes. In the August issue of  People Style Watch they say that the average American woman wears a size 8. Really?? Someone needs to re-adjust their thinking cap.

Many designers are getting on the bandwagon and creating clothes for us larger women. This is a good thing. Not so long ago Rubenesque ladies had no choice but to wear tent like structures. Remember Mama Cass Elliot?  Today, we have a choice of designers and ready to wear, off the rack options. Clothes that actually fit the curves.

On the flip side…what used to be a size 10 is no longer really a size 10. More like a 6 or 8. When I was in my 20’s, there was no such thing as size 0. Or 00. What’s up with that??

There were misses, juniors and petites. Plus sizes did not exist. If you needed a really large size you went to a specialty store that charged you a fortune and embarrassed the crap out of you when you walked in the door.

These days the plus department is big business. After all, if McDonald’s can plus size their portions then clothing can go along with it. For me, getting out of the plus department is an exciting event. Unfortunately if 10 is a new plus size, I may stay in this department for a long time. I need to do more research on this. After all it’s just one catalog.

The number on the tag shouldn’t matter as much as how the clothes fit. But sometimes it’s hard to know which direction to go in. Larger or smaller?

In the meantime, I’ll stick with the clothes I have. For now. In a few months I’ll be ready to hit the racks.

Oh, as of this posting I’m down 64 pounds (29 kg.).

Have a great week. See you next Monday!