Why do people cut out the size tags in their own clothes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why do people cut out the size tags in their own clothes?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I was at the thrift store today and tried on a pair of pants that had had the size tag cut out. Not the whole tag, the brand and wash info was still there, just the size. I found this a little weird - after all, don't we all know what size we had to buy, whether it's anyone else's business or not? I know that sometimes people remove tags because they itch or show through or are in an awkward place, but this one left me scratching my head. Is there someone else washing this person's clothes that isn't supposed to know their size? Help me understand, YLF.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Sally

bella

(website)

Veteran

It could be a psychological thing. I haven't done it but I can see myself doing it during if I happen to gain unwanted or temporary weight for some reason in the future.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I understand this because I have some items in my closet (Diane Von Furstenberg, I'm look at you) I had to size up two whole sizes to get it to fit. It drives me crazy because the size on those tags are nearly 40 lbs ago. I haven't cut out the tag because I'm going to remember what size I bought it at.

Dashrashi

Veteran

Sometimes just one tag itches. They're often made out of different materials or have different edging. Just wanted to throw that out there. I'm fairly sensitive to itchy tags.

I've also seen just the size tag show through, usually because it hangs down, whereas the style/brand tag is (let's say) horizontal along a waistband where the fabric is thicker.

Lori

Veteran

Some tags bother my skin, and I do cut them out if that is the case. I've never cut out a tag for any other reason, I think I need to know what size I'm wearing ocassionally, so I like to have the size tag there.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I wish all manufacturers would consider tag placement and comfort. My favorite is the inked on info on knits that is totally tag free. Ahhh.

MsMary

Veteran

I've done this. When I was heavier I had to buy clothes in sizes that I considered embarrassingly huge, and it made me feel awful to look in my closet and see those numbers. A wise friend suggested cutting out the tags because, as she said, "Your clothes aren't allowed to make you feel bad!"

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

If I trusted myself to cut tiny tags without doing irreparable damage to my clothes, I could see myself doing this. It's neurotic, I know, but a genuine issue for someone with major body image issues. I refuse to let anyone see my clothing size other than my boyfriend for the same reasons Mary used to feel. As it is, though, I don't cut the tags, and the size of the clothing is burned into my brain anyway.

Kari

Veteran

If I cut out a tag, it's always for comfort reasons (it makes me itch or has scratchy corners.) It's never because I'm ashamed of the number.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Denial?

I do it if the tag is itchy or flips up all the time.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Interesting, y'all, thanks - I've been overweight for a lot of my adult life and not totally thrilled with my body, but I never got the size thing - after all, sizes are arbitrary anyway, and especially in a situation like this where no one else will see the tag, it's not like you don't remember what size you had to buy in the first place, right? But then, I feel the same way about whatever my weight is - I don't tell other people, but I don't pretend it doesn't exist, either. To each their own, whatever makes you feel calm and happy.

Tags can drive me nuts, especially those paper ones that itch like the dickens. When I'm shopping at the thrift store, I'm glad that most people leave them in, though. I'm pretty good at eyeballing sizes, but not perfect!

Melissa

Yeah, I can see reasons someone might do this. As Michelle said, I can see cutting size tags out so as not to reveal one's size to others. Maybe someone else does the laundry, maybe they're planning a rendezvous with someone and don't want a silly clothing tag number to throw anything (including their own confidence) off, etc. I could also see myself doing that if I had a family who looked at and commented on what size clothing I was wearing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Like Kari, some labels scratch and irritate my skin. I absolutely cut those out.

Heather

Veteran

The only tags I ever cut are those GIANT Lululemon tags....what's the deal?! Also, sometimes H&M has a tag that is folded up a mile long with care instructions in 90 languages....very helpful, but I chop that scroll out, too. ;D

Sally

Veteran

I've had some tags irritate me no end, and I have had to wear singlets underneath them..thinking of a jersey I own...great apart from the tag.
I have never understood the size thing. Sizes are not standard anyway. I have had clothes taken in and kept the size tag in there so they are not actually that size anyway.