How often do we place our self-worth on the size label that’s sewn inside our clothing? Too bloody often! And just while I’m writing that sentence my mind is stuck on ‘inside our clothing”…these labels are hidden and not even ‘on show’ yet we still let that number mess with our self-worth and self-esteem.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret, brands and clothing labels all have a very different idea of a ‘standard’ sizing guide. Go on, check your wardrobe now and I can bet you will have several sizes hanging in your wardrobe. It’s cruel right?
Just as we aren’t all made the same our clothes aren’t either so placing value in being a particular size is senseless and futile.
Let’s stop personalising the number inside our clothing, it will go a long way to gaining back some of the power we give away each time we beat ourselves up because we aren’t the ‘fairytale’ size. Every time we self-criticize we are perpetuating self-doubt, compounding anxiety and negative feelings about ourselves and our bodies.
Remember your body is listening to those negative thoughts…and feeling them.
Stop putting your life on hold while you put off buying clothing until you lose weight. Why would you want to live one single day wearing clothes that don’t make you feel great? Why aren’t you dressing for your life today, who you are today? You know you deserve that right?
Buy what fits you AND feels great! You don’t need to invest squillions of dollars into clothes if you absolutely are planning to lose weight but for goodness sake, respect yourself enough today to dress well, I can assure you, you’ll feel better for it.
If you really think your size and shape will change and you’re conscious of budget then buy clothes in fabrics that will move with your size. Look for pieces you can tie, tuck, belt and knot to create a different silhouette and then you’ll get better value from your clothes.
As you lose weight buy some pieces to fit your new size, celebrate your hard work. Wearing clothes to fit your body helps you to accept and celebrate your size.
If you’ve been staying away from certain stores because you believe they will have nothing to fit you, I urge you to rethink your shopping strategy. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find in these stores.
Own the size you actually are and shop accordingly, if that means dipping your toe into a ‘plus size’ store, there is no shame in that. Wearing ill-fitting clothing that looks and feels like it shrunk in the wash will make you feel far worse than going up a size…because we all know now that the sizes vary from store to store anyway right?
Our happiness is an inside job, inside us. The label inside our clothes just shouldn’t factor in this equation so please stop placing so much importance on the label.
Do you hold off buying clothes because you hope to lose weight? What about the label…does the number stress you out?
Ange says
October 29, 2015 at 7:16 amThanks Jen, you are lovely. I needed to hear this today x
Jenni says
October 29, 2015 at 8:03 amYou’re welcome Ange, have a wonderful day x
Bec says
October 29, 2015 at 7:17 amExactly! UK sizing is usually a size up and I didn’t realise this. When my asos order arrived a size bigger and it actually fit, I was mortified! Then I looked closer at the tag. At the end of the day you are spot on, no one else knows and no one cares but us.
Jenni says
October 29, 2015 at 8:04 amOnce we let go of the power of the number fashion and perfecting our style is so much more fun x
Carolyn says
October 29, 2015 at 11:18 amAwesome article Jenni. Sizes vary everywhere. I’ve been known to cut my lable size off my clothing!!
Jenni says
October 29, 2015 at 9:19 pmI do the same Carolyn ?
Veronica sinicropi says
October 29, 2015 at 5:08 pmWell this blog came at just the right time ? After spending the better part of the day in the city trying to find a dressy/evening dress for an engagement . Finally found something classic black ?
Jenni says
October 29, 2015 at 9:20 pmWinning!! Enjoy the party Veronica ?
Beck says
October 29, 2015 at 8:54 pmLove this post, it’s something I have been really working on lately xx
Jenni says
October 29, 2015 at 9:20 pmWell done Beck ?
merilyn says
October 30, 2015 at 5:34 pmyou are a wonderful role model for women jen!
much love m:)X
Jenni says
October 31, 2015 at 7:57 amWell that made my day Merilyn ? Thankyou X
shannon @my2morrows says
October 31, 2015 at 12:55 pmSizing drives me batty. I can be a size 8 in something and a 14 in something else. Its crazy that we beat our selves up over though! Love these words xx
Jenni says
November 1, 2015 at 9:35 pmIt’s nutso, thanks Shannon 🙂
Jan at retiringNotshy! says
October 31, 2015 at 1:46 pmYay for positive body image at whatever age and I agree that we should all try a new label that we are not familiar with. Especially those of us ‘of a certain age’, it is important to not get stuck in a style rut and also to look our best. I am in my early 60s and have found many young women in clothing stores who are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and who don’t judge by age. It is so refreshing. And the size label, well I just returned a size 16 coat from a brand that I also have a size 14 in. The 16 was too tight under the arms, the 14 fits perfectly. So, not only do sizes vary sometimes the label is just wrong!
Jenni says
November 1, 2015 at 9:36 pmvery true, sometimes a brand lacks consistency which can mess with a girls self esteem.
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
November 1, 2015 at 10:19 pmSo true – the numbers do stress me out. So does how I look and feel. My weight goes up and down depending on how healthy I am and what meds I am on. I definitely feel better at a certain weight. And I’d like to get down to what I was when I was younger, but it’s unlikely to happen. Instead, just feeling good and healthy is the most important to me.
Jenni says
November 2, 2015 at 7:40 amHealth is everything ?
Paula says
November 2, 2015 at 2:24 amEven though I know better I still struggle with the size on the label thing, Thanks for the reminder to just ignore it! 🙂
Jenni says
November 2, 2015 at 7:41 amAt times we all take too much notice of that pesky label, let’s not give it that power ?
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
November 2, 2015 at 7:01 amThe way sizes vary is just crazy, and don’t get me started on the way the numbers mess with our heads! This is great advice!
Jenni says
November 2, 2015 at 7:41 amThanks Sammie ?
Sonia from Sonia Styling says
November 2, 2015 at 12:43 pmAmen! Well said. This is exactly why I share what size(s) I’m wearing in outfit posts on my blog. Who bloody well cares what the number is?! I do it to help people know what the fit of the garment is like because, as you so rightly pointed out, it can vary so wildly from brand to brand. Wear what you love and rock it with confidence!
Jenni says
November 2, 2015 at 12:59 pmSo many women harbour guilt, fear and shame connected to the label size. I know that when women support other women and speak up that it gives them strength and power…which leads to confidence. Good on you for adding your size to your posts ?
Karin @ Calm to Coniption says
November 2, 2015 at 2:44 pmI would like to say that the number doesn’t bother me but I think deep down it does. No point letting it though if I am not doing anything to change it! I have a happy range which I have kicked over lately though so just need to reign it in a little to get back to happy.
Jenni says
August 14, 2016 at 12:15 pmSpot on Karin. Either accept and love your body right now or make changes. Ps, you look fabulous x
Mish says
November 2, 2015 at 4:00 pmThanks for another great post Jenni..I have only just recently discovered your blog ?.i love how you keep everything real . As another curvy 40 something I find clothes shopping a nightmare . Keep up the great work you are very inspirational xx
Jenni says
August 14, 2016 at 12:17 pmThanks Mish x
Desley Baird says
August 14, 2016 at 7:36 amI am heeding your words of wisdom!
Thank you
Jenni says
August 14, 2016 at 12:17 pmBrilliant! Way to go Desley x
Justine Bridle says
August 14, 2016 at 4:37 pmSuch excellent advice Jenni. I have been a yo yo with my weight my whole life and now I embrace my fuller figure and dress it accordingly with confidence. I spruke this from the rooftops in my business when I’m dressing ladies, they usually walk out with something to think about. If you are tall, short, lean or are blessed with voluptuousness as long as you dress for your size your a winner. Great read BTW xx PS.. A fuller face keeps you looking younger for longer too hehehe…