I popped into Zara this week as I was on the hunt for a dress I could wear at home in the day. In the past, I have found a few pretty and inexpensive frocks in the Zara sales (I’m much more a dress than a jeans kinda girl).
My shopping experience was going OK until I realised that nothing in Zara fit me unless it had a label marked ‘XL’ inside. ‘XL’, presumably meaning ‘extra large’.
Extra Large?!?!?
Last time I checked, I was an average, healthy, UK size 12. Surely, this isn’t what most people would refer to as ‘extra large’……?!
Silly Zara I thought, as I cast my thoughts aside for all eternity and made my way to leave the shop.
I then felt a wave of annoyance as I considered the number of impressionable young adults, teenagers, children in fact who must make purchases from this trend-setting, high-street store – a brand that has been endorsed in the past by the likes of the mighty Miss Moss (adored by millions) and who makes catwalk style fashion price accessible to the masses.
Is it any wonder that these young minds are sent into a state of body dysmorphia, if they, like myself, a regular UK size 12, are lead to believe they are ‘extra large’?
From here on, I’m going to take the advice I recall giving to my Mother recently and that I shall be drumming into the minds of my two young Daughters as they grow up: Ignore what it says on the label.
Simply hold the item of clothing up in front of you, and if it looks like it might fit, try it on.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to care less and less for what the label says. I’ve clothes ranging from size 12 to size 16, though according to UK sizing guides, I am in fact a 12. But in my humble opinion, sizing on labels mean aboslutely nothing.
Experience tells me it’s all about the cut of the cloth and structure of the garment. Get these two right, and it matters not a stitch what the size label says – you will have a wardrobe of well-fitting garments with a flattering cut to suit your body shape. This doesn’t mean having to spend a fortune by the way. In my view, it just means learning to train your eye, and being honest with yourself about what flatters your natural form.
And ladies, wear what flatters you most with confidence and pride! …be you a size 6 or a size 24 or more.
The size on the label really doesn’t matter
Annabel
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Image via Shadphotos on Flickr
