Over the last few weeks, several stores -most notably, American store J. Crew- have come under fire for creating a new women's clothing size- the 000.
Since the store's announcement of this new size, bloggers, news sources, and celebrities have been lighting up the web with how "controversial" and "unacceptable" this really is. Most of them are saying how it is wrong to promote unrealistic standards in body sizes, or how out of control vanity sizing has become in America.
I have to ask, however- what about those women who are a size 000?
When I was younger, I was always mocked for my size. Through my sophomore year in high school, I heard these comments continuously:
"How are you soooooo skinny? It's kind of gross."
"Are you on a diet? You really need to eat more."
And the worst...
"I wish I could be skinny like you."
As if anyone wants to spend ten hours at the mall, hopping from store to store, trying on endless pairs of size 0 and even 00 jeans in the hopes that one pair might actually fit well. Leaving stores in tears after doing nothing but wasting time and becoming more and more frustrated.
But no one understood. So to their comments, I would smile and nod. A lot.
Finally, at age sixteen or so I grew into my body and lost my gawky middle school figure. I had a few pairs of jeans that fit, and gradually found more store with clothes that I can now wear. It was wonderful, finally being able to wear clothes that I didn't pull from the children's section. My figure finally allowed me to become fashionable.
I am still a petite person- at 5'1", I still have a sight frame. So when I saw this new clothing size that would allow girls like me to wear the clothes that their peers were wearing at a time in their lives when appearances are important, I was proud. I saw a company that was not looking to promote unhealthy standards, but one that was accepting of a small clientele.
Unfortunately, most people disagree. To most, this is a problem of vanity sizing gone wrong, or a way to persuade women to see themselves as "too large."
To those who say that stores should just make clothes smaller without changing the numbers, I see your point. Stores could offer sizes 00-24 instead of 000-22 and offer all the same measurement sizes, but this would mean that a woman who wore a size 6 previously would now wear an 8 at that store. And I think we can all agree that no woman wants that. Ideally, in a world where no woman cares about her numerical size -as it should be- this would work. Clearly, we are not there yet.
But what is size, really? A number. We all can look wonderful, and should have the option to wear clothes that we love. Many stores nationwide have been offering larger or plus sizes for this reason- so why not size down as well? No one should feel ashamed of their size, so please Internet, let the 000s be.
Share This Article
