Understanding Fashion Production

Last summer I decided to sign up for Parsons Fashion Industry Essentials Online Certificate. Today's assignment asked me to visit a department store and compare sizes of the exact same items, such as a skirt or jeans. Before heading to the store, I decided to look at my own closet because I know my clothes range from Small to Large and bottoms from a 26 to 28.

I own many items from Levi's in a size 26 and found that a 26 from Levi's fit completely different based on the style, some too large and some a bit too tight (ugh). After this discovery I started comparing my Levi bottoms to my pants from Abercrombie and H&M. I was extremely surprised at how different each size was based on what fit my body best. I compared the waist of size 8 jeans from H&M to size small pants at Abercrombie and they were almost exactly the same, how does this make sense? After conducting research in my own closet, I was off to TJ Maxx. I tried on 3 different skirts, 5 pairs of jeans, 3 jackets and 4 pairs of shoes. I wear a size 7 in shoes and typically don’t have issues with a 7 not fitting, but that changed today. Maybe it’s because I was more conscientious of it? Anyways, I tried a pair of size 7 Adidas sneakers and needed to size down to a 6, my first thought was, did my feet shrink? For reassurance purposes I tried on a pair of Steve Madden platform sandals, in a 7, and my toes were falling over the front (terrible look). I tried on the size 8, they fit and looked much better. I ended up buying them too, oops! After the sandals, I put on a pair of size 7 Nike Sneakers, and they were a half size too big. I figured I needed one last pair to confirm I am a size 7 and tried on Free People Mules, which fit seamlessly. Although the shoes varied in style, I would expect sizing to remain consistent.

I then headed to the fitting room and found a white denim skirt that fit perfectly, even a little bit bigger. This skirt was my typical size and because it fit so well, I explored the skirt comparison. The Free People leather skirt in the same size fit smaller than I thought it would and was harder to get on. The Calvin Klein denim skirt fit larger than my white denim skirt but was the exact same size.

As you can see I also bought the white denim skirt

Afterwards, I walked to the jacket section and found a few leather jackets to compare. When I try on jackets, I always raise my arms in front of my body to ensure I can move in the jacket and fit a sweater underneath. Typically, I would start with a Small and size up if needed but to my surprise the extra small fit much better. I tried on a few more leather jackets in an extra small and they looked ridiculous, I could barely move my arms!

In the end, only one skirt and one jacket fit me correctly, despite that fact that I tried on a number of items in the exact same size. This shows how hard it is for women to find clothing that fits correctly. In some cases, it was hard to understand what size I should be looking for, a 2, a 26, an XS, an 8?

I think women have been taught they need to be a certain size and when we don’t fit into “our size” it’s a letdown and confusing. As someone who shops a lot, I will typically buy what fits me best but there are days when I try on a Free People skirt in my usual size and it doesn’t fit, I feel defeated.

I’ve learned from this experience that all women face the same challenge to find an item of clothing or shoes that fit perfectly and that it’s okay to not always be a size 2 because it’s not the same everywhere!