Size Really Doesn't Matter

I have a feeling that a lot of my pet peeves and frustrations about both the fashion industry and women's skewed perceptions of themselves will come to light very quickly. So here's issue one:
I will never understand the tunnel vision that overtakes a woman when she sees the size on a piece of clothing. Why on earth do you care if that reads a 6 or a 10? Because honestly, one store's 6 is another store's 10. If you haven't figured it out yet, this sizing convention was most likely created by men and is adjusted based on a stores' clientele. Retailers want women (I should say people, but this tactic is pretty much geared towards women) to buy more--and women buy more when they think they are skinnier and have lost weight. I realize that is screwed up, but it sells product.

No one ever listens to me when I say this, but I am going to try again. Buy clothes that fit--all that matters is that they make you look and feel like a superstar. Fit the widest part of your top or bottom and go from there. It took me a long time to learn that; I have a broad back and big shoulders, so finding tops has never been a walk in the park. But I know that if they pull, gape or if I can't raise my arms, they don't fit. And if they don't fit, I am never going to wear them, let alone make them look good.

Don't limit your potential because of a random even number. As a side note, if you are over 18, the numbers should be even. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are for juniors.

When I am picking out clothes (and I range from a 6 to a 12 depending on the piece of clothing), I look for a few major indicators to tell me to go a size up:

• Gaping at the chest--If I'm going to be rebuttoning or pulling on a shirt all day when I wear it, it probably isn't going to do me any favors
• Pulling at the hips--whiskers at the crotch and hips are friends to no woman
• Shoulder seams that hit between my neck and my shoulder--I prefer having some sort of mobility in my upper body. Shoulder seams are there for a reason...to sit at your shoulder.

The concept is not new, just hard for women to accept. The outside world doesn't see the number on your label; they just see an amazing fit. So why shouldn't you?