Running Head: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

One Size Does Not Fit All

Brooke Daly

Arizona State University

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Abstract

This persuasive essay discusses the issues with the current sizing system for women’s

clothing in America. It describes how manufacturers are inconsistent with sizing from store to

store, which makes women confused while shopping since they are unable to fit into a single

size. In addition, there is a phenomenon known as “one-size fits all”, where stores will only sell

clothing that are under a singular size. Typically, these one-size fits all garments are extremely

petite and the majority of women are unable to fit into them. The various issues with the sizing

system makes it necessary to change it; sizing labels should include detailed descriptions of how

the garment will fit a woman. The label should include details such as chest size, waist size,

shoulder size, and other measurements in order to help women find clothes that fit them

correctly. The current even-numbered style of labeling women’s clothing is not efficient and

should be made more specific.

Keywords: garments, one-size fits all, sizing, manufacturers

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Finding the perfect outfit for a certain occasion can be a great ordeal for women because

they feel pressure to find something that suits them and fits correctly. Choosing that perfect outfit

becomes difficult when women are conflicted as to what size to choose since there is

inconsistency in sizing among stores. Sizing for women’s clothing in America has been

standardized currently and throughout history, where women are expected to fit in an

even-numbered numerical sized garment. The population of women in America are diverse in

terms of different body types and sizes, so the numerical system of sizing can no longer be

acceptable. The current sizing measurement system does not take into consideration the various

body types and shapes of women all across America. Manufacturers should create a new system

of labeling garments for women’s clothing that includes specific information about its fitting.

Labels should consist of what height, chest, waist, and shoulder size the garment is in

order to fit women as best as possible. Including more details about what type of body would fit

into each garment would be more efficient in comparison to the current way sizes are due to the

fact that women could find what fits their body. Although some may argue that having labels on

women’s clothing would be difficult and more time-consuming, for designers, it would actually

benefit them in numerous ways. Primarily, customers would be more inclined to want to go

shopping since they are more likely to find something that actually fits them, and they would

also spend less time trying to find the right size. If women know they can find clothes that fit

them, they will shop more, thus benefiting the manufacturers. This would also decrease the

amount of online returns and refunds because women would not have to return so many items

due to them not fitting; the detailed labels give full descriptions that help women find garments

that fit best.

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This new system of labeling women’s garments would also rid of stores that brand their

clothing as “one-size fits all”. Brandy Melville is a one size fits all store, and claims that

“Anyone can come in the store and find something,” (Sairlight Saller). This is certainly not true

since the ​vast majority of the ​skirts​ available on the Brandy website list 12″ to 14″ as the waist

measurement (capable of stretching to approximately 25″) (Dumais, 2015). A skirt with those

measurements would only fit petite girls that would be equivalent to a size zero. This company

by only having one size excludes a majority of the population since they are so limited by

having clothes that fit smaller women. In fact, the average woman in America wears a size 14 so

most women are excluded from wearing their products (Dumais, 2015). On another note, the

fact that this company sells one size of petite clothing potentially causes harm to the health of

young girls. The National Eating Disorder Association reported that nearly 20 million girls suffer

from some type of eating disorder and that 35-57% of adolescent girls engage in a form of crash

dieting (Cameron, 2014). Girls may feel inclined to desire to fit into Brandy Melville’s small

clothing and resort to eating disorders that are detrimental to their well-being and health. By

eliminating stores that only sell one size, there would not only be less forms of eating disorders,

but there would be more inclusivity in terms of clothes shopping.

Promoting one-size fits all clothing not only is dangerous for women’s health but also it

damages their self-esteem. A woman interviewed in a Buzzfeed video speaks on how she felt

when she tried on a dress that was labeled one-size, “I put on this dress and I was like hell yeah I

can fit in this, but it is kind of sad because I should not have to feel like that. They’re making me

feel bad if I don’t fit into something that is obviously too small for 90% of the human race”

(Buzzfeed, 2015). This woman describes how clothes that are labeled like this makes her feel

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self-conscious because she feels like there is something wrong with her body, even though the

reality is that stores like Brandy Melville are creating unrealistic expectations for all women to

fit in the same, small-fitted garments. This evidence furthers the necessary action for stores to

stop promoting these harmful messages and to instead brand clothing to women of all sizes.

Clothing will detailed labels is a necessary means to provide inclusivity among shopping for

women.

Overall, the current system of sizing for women’s clothing in America is inefficient and

needs to be changed. Women face confusion constantly while shopping since sizing from store to

store differs and this leads to their self-confidence declining. Having specific labels on garments

will help women have greater body positivity because they will be less likely to feel bad if they

cannot fit into something. Knowing the metrics and details of how a garment will fit will overall

make the shopping experience greater for women since they would not have to pick as many

pieces of clothing in the hopes that one will fit. Perhaps a new measuring system would also help

women stop comparing themselves to what other women’s sizes are; they may learn to be

content with their own bodies.

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References

Clifford, Stephanie. "One Size Fits Nobody: Seeking a Steady 4 or a 10." ​New York Times​ 25

Apr. 2011: A1(L). ​Business Insights: Global​. Web. 17 Mar. 2019. Retrieved from:

http://bi.galegroup.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/global/article/GALE%7CA254659535/5c0fff6997b

c8e8815498a9515380c6e?u=asuniv

Dockterman, Eliana. “One Size Fits None” ​Time Magazine​. October 2016. ​Vol. 188 Issue 10/11,

p78-84. 7p. Retrieved from:

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=ebe50e11-bbee-

4986-8dac-c0a5872ac1dc%40pdc-v-sessmgr05&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#

AN=117821613&db=aph

​Nittle, Nadra. “Why retailers overlook women who aren’t quite plus or straight size”. ​Vox.​

February 2019.

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/12/18222409/retailers-women-in-between-plus-straight-
size

Eliza M Dumais​ 07/07/15. ​These ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Clothes Are Actually Size Zeros.

https://observer.com/2015/07/these-one-size-fits-all-clothes-are-actually-size-zeroes/

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‘One size fits all’ tugs at body image of young girls, women. By ​Taylor Cameron​: February 17, 

2014. Retrieved from:  

https://www.thelantern.com/2014/02/opinion-one-size-fits-tugs-body-image-young-girls-women

/  

APA Citation: ​Buzzfeed. "One Size Fits All" On Different Body Types. (2015, January 2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OapuLyWTvjQ