Body Positive Changes to Finding Clothes that Fit
Women have cursed their size for decades. Some decades have been worse on us than others (think the gaunt models of the 90s when anything more than super thin was out), and thankfully we’ve made some progress on how we view women’s bodies. Lately, the media shows a variety of shapes, from petite to full-figured, and models are more diverse than they ever have been. Still, worrying about size is a common problem for women. If we aren’t a particular size, we feel bad.
It’s safe to say that most women have worries about their size, whether it be “comparisonitis” with other women or how personal size stacks up with the “ideals” we see in the media. There is no shortage of women who are not happy with their clothing, size or visiting the fitting rooms. I think it’s time to change that!
Here’s the thing: It’s less about your size and more about fit. Let’s emphasize a good fit over a number that comes on the tag. When women wear well-fitting clothes, they feel good about themselves, regardless of size!
Clothing size is merely a number, a measurement. It has no emphasis on how kind, funny, or astonishingly beautiful you are. Size cannot quantify your beauty and worth. Let size be just a number and focus on how you feel instead.
One thing that can help you achieve feeling good in your clothes is connecting some valuable words to your personal style. What is your truth when it comes to your style? Is it cool, posh, outrageous, iconic, luxurious, or striking?
Here’s what to ask yourself: What words do I want to attribute to my personal style?
As I write this, I am reminded just how powerful words are. Having powerful words assigned to the clothing you wear gives your personal style definition that you can rely on when putting outfits together or purchasing new items each season.
This idea is an inspiration from Brenda Kinsel, who has written about her search for the perfect sized jacket. She finally narrowed it down to a petite medium, after trying on a few sizes, saying, “And you know how I knew it was the right size for me? The standard-sized jackets felt dowdy on me. I wouldn’t have bought it. I’m a spunky, spirited kind of gal, and dowdy isn’t in my style vocabulary. When I got to the petite medium, it felt just right.”
Brenda makes an excellent point here. If your personal style is defined as “spunky,” for example, then anything “dowdy” just can’t be right for you!
Want some more tips? Here are five tips for nailing your personal style and focusing on fit, not size.
1. People notice when you look and feel good, and size is irrelevant. Size is for you (and your personal stylist) to know. Nobody else knows or cares for that matter. When you walk into a room as your-best-dressed-self, you get noticed regardless of your size. That’s why focusing on fit is so much more important. When clothes fit, you know it, and you feel good. You’ll also attract a lot of compliments. Fit is more important than any number.
2. When you wear clothes that fit, you are much more comfortable AND your confidence level immediately goes up. Comfortable fitting clothes allows you to relax, be yourself, and focus on more important things. Time spent tugging and pulling on ill-fitting clothes is time wasted. Don’t waste your time trying to fit into the clothes. Instead, concentrate on how well your clothes fit and watch how you’ll have an extra pep in your step.
3. Remember that size is often relative. Have you ever been one size in a store and a totally different size in another? Clothing sizes for women fluctuate from designer to designer. Some designers’ silhouettes might run small and others larger. Clothing size varies a lot, so don’t be so hard on yourself. If clothing size isn’t even down to a science, then it shouldn’t be fretted over! Even if you think you’re sure of your size, it’s always a good idea to take two or three sizes into the fitting room, so you can decide which fit feels best.
4. Your body changes a lot. Give yourself some credit for being a woman, first and foremost. Over the years, our bodies change, and therefore, clothing sizes change. Even if your weight has been the same for years, our bodies can suddenly hold weight in different areas, or water weight can be a culprit in tightly fitting clothes. Cut yourself some slack because this is normal, and it happens to every body. If anything doesn’t fit you anymore, it’s time to consign it or donate it! You get to buy new clothes that fit right and make you feel wonderful while another woman will get to enjoy your previously-loved clothing.
5. Fashion changes and so do sizes. That has nothing to do with you or your body. Designers change the way clothes fit and fashion trends can change the way things fit on us. Once again, find clothes that fit your body without worrying too much about the numbers.
Finding Clothes that Fit With a Personal Stylist
Finding clothes that fit can be a frustrating task for many women. But it doesn’t have to be. If you need help implementing the tips above, we’re always available. Sometimes, finding clothes that fit and make you feel great can be accomplished by using professionals, from tailors to wardrobe stylists. If you need help finding clothes that always make you feel fabulous, contact us for a consultation.