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Weekend Update

1. This lovely bateau neck sweater arrived for me earlier this week, and I have to vouch for it as a very pretty, flattering, and warm cashmere sweater. I generally have had good experiences with Nordstrom brand cashmere, but if I’m playing things safe I try to look for the higher priced items ($200+ at Nordstrom) as I’ve found that they tend to be better quality.

At full price, this sweater was $300, so I think it definitely qualifies. It’s super cozy and plus my husband liked it too…even though it’s quite loose! A miracle.

2. At this point, I think most of us are pretty well adjusted to the new vanity sizing standards  – I know that I am, (except when I shop at either Topshop or Dolce & Gabbana, where a rude awakening is in store). I recently came across the size 000 (yes – triple 0!) while browsing at J.Crew however, and was taken aback. We’re now at the sizing range that requires triple 0!

Anyway, I decided to do some research on vanity sizing when I got back home, and came across this interesting history of women’s clothing sizes, from Time. What are your thoughts on vanity sizing?

Galaxy Dress

3. Do you remember Roland Mouret and his famous “Galaxy” dress? I remember loving it and being so sad that I couldn’t have it because I was both in college and too broad shouldered for this style (still am). I enjoyed reading this NY Times article about Mouret’s journey to be more than just a “one hit wonder”.

4. This week, my reading was The News Sorority, by Sheila Weller.

News Sorority

A year or two ago I had read Barbara Walter’s autobiography, Audition, so I already was a little familiar with the world of female powerhouses in TV news. I learned a lot more about the “other” famous female anchor names however – Diane, Katie, and Christiane, and also learned about the business of TV news in general. I did find this book a little uneven at times, but the subject is so interesting that I’d still recommend it. Enjoy!

7 Comments

  • Reply
    susan
    December 5, 2014 at 7:52 am

    Love your book recommendations! Susan, London

  • Reply
    Sarah
    December 5, 2014 at 10:02 am

    Generally better shops/ brands have consistent sizing as they control their supply chain. Top shop is one exception as their supply chain is varied but their sizing is consistently small. Marks & spencer sizes in the UK are VERY generous, and even BRORA one off my favourites run on the large side. They do offer consistency though. I recently started buying things from majrstic filatures, a french company. Their sizing is 1 to 4 but I would say that even their larger size only caters for slim people, above average height, even by European standards. So yes, sizing is a minefield our there, I tend to limit my shopping to just a few brands I know

  • Reply
    Pret A Porter P
    December 5, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Don’t even get me started on the 000s! I’m sorry to say, but vanity sizing is to appease people that are larger sizes not smaller sizes. No one is being complimented by being a 000. I’ve tried 0 and 00 in J.Crew and found them to be gigantic, that I doubt even a 000 would fit me. I have 0s from 10 years ago, that to go into the same store today, even the 00 is massive. And I understand that I continually lose weight, but my old clothes still fit me. Yet it certain European brands I’m a size 2, 4, or 6! That it makes me wonder who they design clothes for if **I** have to go two sizes up. And don’t even get me started on J.Brand, I can’t even squash myself into their jeans I don’t know how anyone else fits into them.

  • Reply
    Emily
    December 5, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    I made the mistake of mentioning vanity sizing to an oblivious coworker who was in complete and utter denial. She had all types of nonsensical reasons for why I have gone down 3 sizes in 8 years while my weight and body shape have stayed the same.

    Jemily Life

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    December 6, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    I believe the triple zero trends shows that fashion houses catering to the Asian emerging markets where the sizes are much smaller than the western world. It is more about catering to who is spending the $$ vs. skinny as a fashion statement.

    • Reply
      Pret A Porter P
      December 6, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      Yes, I remember reading that J.Crew did the 000 primarily for the asian market.

  • Reply
    Lilah
    December 7, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    My understanding is that brands cater to their demographics. A medium should fit the size of their median customer. so it’s true that sizes have skewed larger, but it’s not a matter of “vanity” but a matter of the average customer being bigger.

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