DON’T TELL ME SIZE MATTERS

Your weight and body issues are health concerns between you and your doctor, both physical and emotional, your nutritionist, and perhaps an intelligent fitness trainer.

When it comes to fashion, style, clothing, etc., I don’t give a…hoot…what size you are. I care that your clothes are doing everything they can to make your life better. And that means getting the measurements right (for the body you have now).

No Shame in Numbers (Or Letters)

A measuring tape simply provides the values communicated through a letter or number so a manufacturer knows what garment to pull from inventory for your order, the garment that originated from a pattern scaled to meet your same measurements.

You are not walking around with a red XXL on your chest. It’s tucked away on a tag inside, just for you and the apparel business to refer to on your next shopping trip. Sizes are not there to tell you how skinny you are and it’s definitely not anyone else’s business.

I’ve been a size 4 and 18, and I’ve been insecure and confident, comfortable and not, and felt pretty and ugly at all sizes and stages of my life. Being on the receiving end of weight loss and gain comments that people seem to think are OK to make, I learned long ago how messed up everyone’s perceptions are of size and weight.

But size and measurements can’t actually tell you how shapely a woman is, her body type, even if she’s healthy, and definitely cannot define her self-worth. They are just the numbers we use to help us feel good in the clothes we love.

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How To use a measuring tape

Starting at zero, extend the tape flat along the distance you’re measuring, letting the measuring tape drape like the fabric would once the garment is fitted on you (considering the stretch), using the number that lines up with the endpoint.

When measuring a circumference (i.e., your waist), the endpoint is where the tape measure comes back to meet at zero (or start of the tape). Put the zero end on top, lining it up with the markings to get your number.

Take the time to get it right

• Let the measuring tape relax and lay (just rest) on or next to you, keeping it right on or around the length you’re measuring.

• When taking a circumference (chest, waist, etc.), don’t add unnecessary inches by letting the tape slide down or all around.

• Don’t squeeze so tight that you’re popping out flesh. Do you want a bodysuit? Even if you do, will the fabric or structure of the garment you’re buying allow for that look?

• Put a finger or two between the measuring tape and your waist (or hips, thighs, chest, etc.) before taking down the number.

  • There’s always going to be a margin of error in a garment’s measurements (humans are still making them!). It’s all about your comfort, so you decide if you would rather risk a more tight or loose fit.

Measuring makes shopping easier

You know the hassle that comes with purchasing the wrong size.

Take the time to measure, accurately measure, and you’ll avoid the extra time and costs that come with exchanges, returns, and adjustments at your tailor (who is very happy you’re still keeping her in business).

You’ll also prevent any baseless accusations against an innocent little (or big) store that actually did give you what you ordered. Don’t let your lack of effort or uninformed technique make you that person.

Measuring gets you clothes that fit better

As you get used to measuring your body and relating it to different styles, you might just find that you’re finally choosing the right sizes and feeling pretty good in your clothes.

Every style has it’s own cut and fit and you’ll learn what you’ll need smaller and larger sizes in without ever trying them on. Just keep using that measuring tape as the communication tool it’s meant to be.

Never, ever, let me hear that you’re buying clothes as some kind of bizarre punishment, as if your body doesn’t deserve to feel good in your clothes today. Using that itsy bitsy bikini as motivation for weight loss is irrational; uniting clothing with physical health distorts reality.

If you want to see change in your life, start by taking care of yourself today. Feel good about yourself now and you’ll do the work it takes to keep it up.

Measuring and Your Body

You might start to see your body in a new light with all these measurements, now that you’re going beyond weight and size(s). You’ll see more clearly how your body is changing, and notice when it’s trying to tell you something.

It’s important that measuring doesn’t become an obsession or a new identification of self-worth like we’ve done with weight and sizes - I don’t want to encourage any body image disorders.

But your body is a temple and it’s the only one you’ll ever have, so why not pay attention to it? Be curious, fascinated with your aging, your deteriorating or improving health. Don’t judge, refusing your body comfort when it has changed and has different needs, and needs different clothes.

Kindness always wins, in everything.

Now go forth and use those measuring tapes wisely!

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