FI, I would simply resist the urge to comment on people’s size at all, even under the guise of “culture.” I celebrate any move from designers or retailers to fit a wider variety of bodies. Period.

I am personally trying to move away from body comparison and talk of size/weight, as it tends to be unproductive and possibly hurtful. As someone who was on the receiving end of a recent body comparison here on YLF (which made me feel like the before in a “before and after” ad), I urge people to keep the conversation to style, not bodies.

Janet, sounds like your issue is with April for starting the thread and for later introducing the idea of cultural influences that I was responding to. Carry on discussing with her, but please don’t misquote me in your conversation.

I totally missed the post you are referring to, and am truly sorry you experienced that. Whatever that person said, I’m over here (probably not alone) thinking you look great, and that things you want to hide are assets to highlight. But you know that already.

No, thank you. I’ve said all I want to say.

To answer April’s question : worrying . Yes to size inclusion at both ends of the scale but using multiples of 0’s are meaningless and can feed into dangerous psychological territory for many people . I’m all for using waist sizing numbers -can’t pretend to have the answer for the 2,4,6 sizing system though .

I’m also very frustrated and saddened by the comments above mine . FI , is there any way this kind of exchange can be kept off forum posts ?

LisaP, good point about the numbers used to signal different sizes. What shall we call our “just the measurements” movement?

Isn't the arbitrary number game precisely because we don't want to see / know the measurements? I remember the awful feeling in junior high when my inseam length and bum width was printed on the visible label of my Levi's Jean's. I had the biggest number of everyone.

Sizing does seem to involve a lot of game-playing, doesn't it.

Some brands dodge it by making up a unique-to-them system. Chico's has done this, and I think James Perse tee shirts come as size "1,2,3,4".

Gravitas uses a sizing system that is not apparently ordered from one end of the size spectrum to another. I would order more from them as I like their designs but the poly content is quite high.

https://www.refinery29.com/en-.....g-lisa-sun

It seems like someone who is struggling with body image will potentially fixate on numbers in an unhealthy way, whether those numbers are multiple zeroes or invented sizing by the particular brand. In regards to body positivity, criticism of the sizing labels is more reactionary (this sizing is a problem!) than preventative (body positive/ healthy role models/ mental health normalization). This thread has reminded me of the importance of body positivity within the circles that each of us can influence.