Like most women of a certain age, I have a broader figure. This means that clothing becomes more of a struggle than before. The days of high school when I could get away with a size 8 trouser or a size medium off the rack are long behind me.
Actually there is more in front of me than behind me, because I’ve got a tummy.
Clothing sizes without numbers can be daunting. When you’re in a grey zone between an upper-sized misses and a lower-sized women, you must begin using the dressing room and your measuring tape to figure it out.
I discovered that sizing such as XL (extra large) and XXL (extra extra large) are in a different territory compared to women’s sizing starting with 1X. An extra large fits tops with a 42- 43 1/2″ bust, while 1X will fit a 43-45″ bust. I also learned that the average woman in America wears a 34DD bra and has a bustline sized 38-39.4″ In other countries, women wear a large size A or small B bra, which is more the average.
We’re not only big-waisted in America, but big-busted.
If I could put my waist size onto my bust, I’d look like an adult film star sporting two basketballs in front of my lungs.
While I was taking a day at the shore, I visited one of the few open retailers on the boardwalk (off-season hours are limited, after all), and sometimes a 1X is hard to find among clothing limited to XL. I don’t think they’re deliberately telling us “whales” to shop elsewhere, but the beach and its minimal clothing dress code is not inviting to those of us with a bit more going in the corporeal department.
This is why the Michelin tire man doesn’t wear Speedos.
I found some sales on XL tops, so I bought some logo apparel, fully aware that not only will they fit, but once I am no longer on medications which can make weight loss difficult, I will lose some numbers on the scale and the XL will swim on me. Just as long as they don’t swim off me in a strong current, I’m okay.
Some retailers like Torrid, which specialize in diverse sizes from 10 up to 30 in many of their styles, go with numbers such as 00 through 3, which tend to appear on their racks frequently. One doesn’t feel so bad when they say they’re a 1 compared to a 1X.
Men’s clothing seems to always go by tailoring measurements such as neck circumference, arm length and torso. A dedicated group of specialists adjust the fit for the customer. Women are still assumed to be experts with sewing machines, and thus can alter our own clothing. Unfortunately we’re not in 1942 anymore. We go to the seamstress now.
As sizes change, I’ve learned to embrace whatever version of me is existing now, and not worry about outgrowing or being too much of one thing or too little of the other. As long as I can find the perfect fit, I feel good.
Besides, nobody has ever asked me what my clothing tag says. I can always say “Made in USA.”
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