Size Labelling Matters

We all understand that it is impossible to be the same clothing size in all brands. Sometimes it isn’t even possible within the same brand! So why, as a nation, have we become obsessive about what actual clothing size we are, given that the parameters are so changeable? Logic should tell us that we have not suddenly gained weight if we are a size 12 in one store and a size 14 in another! However many of us favour the shops or brands where we are “labelled” the smaller size. Do brands really need to pander to a person’s vanity when it comes to how they size their garments?

The truth of anyone’s size actually lies with the good old fashioned tape measure. So if you have a garment with a size 8 label but it measures 38 inches across the chest, you know that in reality the garment is not a true size 8. Which then raises the question, what is a size 8? Generally it can vary from a 30 -34 inch bust – but the reality may be something else again! The same scenario exists for all sizes in both women’s and men’s clothing.

However size is not all down to chest and hip inches, it is also down to limb length, body length and personal preference in terms of tightness. It is important to buy a garment that lies smoothly over your body, enhancing your best bits and not featuring your worst ones, which if it is too tight in places will surely happen.

As a brand I Love Cashmere tries its best to be as helpful as possible with regard to sizing. We understand that buying clothes in a shop is hard enough so selecting the correct size online can be quite daunting. Luckily cashmere is not like buying a tailored suit, as there is a little “give” in it. Our sizing guide states garment sizing parameters in inches and centimetres, not in generic sizes like 10, 12, 14 etc.. Our sizing is not generous nor is it mean; it is as far as possible accurate. As everyone who is a borderline size knows the hardest thing is to decide whether to go up a size or not. If you are not sure what to do we respond to specific sizing queries as quickly as possible. 

It would be a much more boring life if we all conformed to a standard sizing so we should all embrace our differences and not become obsessive about it. So enjoy wearing your clothes without worrying about the size label – after all you can always remove it if it is likely to be a problem. Let’s face it if your partner sneaks a look at your size label when they want to buy you an item of cashmere and they buy you a size 14 or equivalent when you normally wear a 10 you may both get pretty annoyed (for different reasons) when you open the present! This is a time when the size label really does matter!