Forget the Number

Since the beginning of clothing manufactured to a size, people have been frustrated with how clothes fit. No matter what your body size or shape, you've experienced the disappointment of a great outfit that looks horrible when you try it on. Some women dread going in to the dressing room completely because so few styles actually fit them right. The reason for all of this is not your body. It's a myth that you can be a size 12 in every store. Clothing manufacturers do not use standard sizes, and even the guidelines they use are not configured around the shape of a real women. Real women have curves and shape that most clothes are not designed to fit. Most women get frustrated because they go in with unrealistic expectations of what fashion can offer them. They go into a department store with visions of finding the right outfit right away, and it fitting beautifully. That rarely happens.

Advertising doesn't help much either. Advertising by nature is not designed to give us a realistic picture of what life is like, it's designed to make us want to buy something. When it works, we may end up disappointed when our dreams of that beautiful dress looking perfect are shattered after we realize we are not supermodels. Women need to get over some preconceived notions of fashion, and learn to shop for their body, not their idea on someone else's body. Basing your next shopping trip on how clothes look on you rather than how they looked on the model in the magazine could give you more confidence, and a better outlook on shopping.

The fashion industry needs a better standard for sizing clothes. Women have curves and shapes that span the spectrum. The first step to loving your fashion trip is to give up the idea that it's going to look great right away. Instead, find colors and cuts you know can suit you, and then visit your favorite seamstress. Getting your clothing customized will make it look fabulous on you, and promote a good body image. Don't hold off buying something until you lose all the weight. Loving the body you're in is healthier and more realistic. Focus your weight loss on being healthy, and promise yourself when you get there, you'll treat yourself to a new outfit, but don't punish yourself now. Finding clothing that looks great on you at your current weight may even help you lose weight. Studies have shown that confidence motivates people to lose weight more than depression. Remember that clothing manufacturers don't all use the same size for the same measurement of clothing. Some manufacturers actually try to flatter people by sizing them lower than they are. Don't look at the number, look at how you look. Instead of focusing on size, focus on colors, fabrics, and styles that work for you, then make your clothing work for you instead of the other way around.

Learning to love your true size is something that millions of women struggle with. Do yourself a favor and be realistic about what looks great on you and why. Try to accent your best features with your clothing, not try to squeeze into something that will never look good. You may be inspired to change your entire wardrobe once you see how great forgetting the number can be.