You Hate Vanity Sizing!

We aren't surprised here at Shorty Stories!  65% of you mentioned that you did not like vanity sizing because you have been sized out of clothing at most stores.  Another 25% of you don't know what vanity sizing is (REALLY?  Haven't you noticed that you're taking a smaller size, despite NOT losing weight?).  5% of you said you love it, because you now wear a smaller size without any effort and another 5% chose other.

October 2008 Poll Results

Question: Have you been sized out?

41% said: Yes! It's impossible to find anything in stores now!

47% said: I've been sized out of some brands, but not all.

6% said: Nope! I can find clothes just fine, although they're a little long at times

4% said: What's "sizing out"?

2% said: Other

Readers, are you surprised that 4% who participated don't know what "sizing out" is?

Size 000 @ Banana Republic?

It looks like Banana Republic is adding 000P and XXS to their sizing. According to the size charts, 000P measures 29 1/2-22-31 1/2. Of course, the actual measurements would probably be closer to 30 1/2-23-32 1/2 (or even 32-24-33), knowing how the store vanity sizes. What do you think of this? What's next 0000P? 00000P? How many zeros will they have to make? Can't they just stop at 0, and make the 0 a REAL 0 rather than a size 4 disguised as a size 0?

So far, I haven't been able to find any actual pieces available in 000P, but since it's in the size charts, 000P would likely be available very soon. 000P is also only listed as a petite size - the smallest size in the regular section is 00.

00P vs 0P at Banana Republic

One of the skirts in the above photograph is a 0P and the other is 00P. Can you guess which one is which?

Interesting J Crew Outfits for May 2008

The May collection isn't all that bad, though I have seen better. The "fun collection" for petite sizes also seems to have increased slightly. Note that I said SLIGHTLY. Another issue is that their sizes are still hideously large for what they are and really should be introducing 00 and 00P (especially with bottoms). Anyway, here are a few pieces that I recommend/like:

Ameilia Tank

Solid Caterina Top

Denim Pencil Skirt

Polka-dot Rosette Dress



Now here are a couple of pieces that I absolutely LOVE, but are not part of the petite collection:

Embroidered Linen Tunic

Angler Print Tank Dress


J.Crew has also introducted a yoga collection. Unfortunately the pants do not come in a petite/short inseam. The regular length is 32".

Those body image people are at it again...

The popular 80s tween series, Sweet Valley High is being revamped for a 2000s readership. This means that the Wakefield twins, are no longer a "perfect size 6", but a size 4. Of course, over at body image and feminist blogs like Feministing, people are freaking out. They are going on and on about how the famous twins, Jessica and Elizabeth have become "skinnier" than they were twenty years ago. So far, out of the many replies the entry has, only one or two have considered that the girls are only wearing a smaller size because of vanity sizing. And as usual, height isn't dealt with at all. If you're going to talk about so-called "ideal" you not only need to debate dress sizes/weight, but also height.

The Wakefield twins are 5'6" in the SVH books. Not too tall and definitely not petite. Wouldn't their ideal height cause problems with taller and petite girls? Especially petite girls who are, by media, generally assigned to the "cute" category? There are few movies made after the 1970s where a young, petite actress is given a romantic, leading lady type role, other than in period pieces. It's a little bit better if the actress started working as a kid, but if they launched their career after age 16? Difficult. But that's why Shorty Stories is here. We need to talk about the height issue and the so-called "standards." Feminist and body image blogs seem to think that if you ARE smaller than a 4 or 6, regardless of height, you're "fine." Not so, people. Not so.

For the petite woman who has been sized out...

Many petite women have the problem of being "sized out," meaning that the smallest sizes at a store are too big for them. Well, now no worries! While BCBG doesn't have really have petite sizes (though I *HAVE* seen petite dresses at Bloomingdale's ), many of their skirts and pants do have a built in belt at the back where you can adjust the size. Below, you will see two pictures of the same skirt:

Image 1: As you can see (well, sort of, anyway), the belt is fastened to the outer buttons. When I tried it on, it fit the same as vanity sized skirts and pants of the same number size at other stores. In other words, too big.

Image 2: A sales associate recommended that I adjust the belt, fastening it to the inner buttons. She said that it reduces the waist by at least an inch.

These buttons are great, especially if you're inbetween sizes or smaller than a zero. Now, if only BCBG had a wider range of petites! Their pants are fairly long, so even with the belt adjusted, most petites would NOT be able to wear their pants unhemmed.

Oh, and a reminder to Toronto area Shorty Stories readers: The Trunk Space Consignment sale is THIS SUNDAY from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Annex Art Centre, 1073 Bathurst St. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS CASH ONLY!