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Truth Blog
The Truth About the Fashion Industry Sizing Lies
When I was in my twenties I decided I wanted to start a vegan and vegetarian fashion business. One of the first decisions I had to make was how I was going to size my belts. Not having any experience with this aspect of the business of belts, I started my research. And I have to admit that what I found out was quite shocking.
Now, vegan and vegetarian fashion or not, there are certain things you’d expect to be true everywhere, but that’s not the case!Fashion Psychology
The truth is that even though there are 12 inches in one foot on every ruler on the planet, a 34-inch belt is not 34 inches in every place on the planet. What is going in our world is something called psychological sizing, or vanity sizing. Call them what you will, but this is the truth about the fashion industry sizing lies! Over the years, sizes have gradually become larger. What used to be a size 10 is now a size 6. Years ago being a size 12 was considered average (certainly not overweight!). But now, size 12 is considered to be overweight! We are filling people with a false sense of security. Instead of bringing them to the realization of their actual size which could possibly mean they would need to hit the gym more often or change their diet, we feed them these fashion industry lies. One writer for Esquire did an in-depth analysis of men’s’ slacks a few years ago. In most cases, major brands were adding 2-3 inches to their flattering size number. Old Navy added 5 inches! To me, this is unacceptable!The Truth in Vegan and Vegetarian Fashion!
As the owner of a vegan and vegetarian fashion company, you can imagine the confusion I experienced. Because my company name is “Truth”, I decided to be honest and go with what I call ‘true sizing’. I decided to make my belts with 6 holes instead of 5. Truth’s vegan and vegetarian fashion belts are sized in such a way that if you are looking for 34”, the actual measurement of 34” is measured to the second hole. If you need more space, you have 4 extra holes that you can expand to. This seems to work out, but not all the time. As the years progress and pant sizes become larger, people have become accustomed to think they are 2-4 inches smaller than they really are! Customers have actually expressed their anger to me and have told me that my belt sizing is wrong! Picture this. I’m at a trade show, and a guy will come up to me and check out my belts. He likes the Westie, and asks for “his” belt size, which I know by looking at him, is way too small. What can I do? I do my best to be polite and explain the psychological sizing in today’s world. Some people do not accept it and actually get angry at me. My main explanation is that whatever your pant size is; order one size up for your belt. Other belt manufacturers do the same thing. I will not waiver. I don’t think it’s right that a person fits a size 6 in one store and a size 10 in another. I will stand firm on my decision to use true sizing with my vegan and vegetarian fashion products. Rulers and tape measures can be found in manufacturers all over the world. Here’s an idea… let’s actually use them!Thanks for reading! Yours in health, consciousness, and cool fashion, this is Renia Pruchnicki of Truth Belts! Live Your Truth, and Respect Others!
Thank you for telling and living the truth…in more ways than one.
This would explain why I fit into a size 4 jeans at old navy! Now I understand….thanks for bursting my bubble.
I am really pissed that vanity sizing is in existence. There never used to be a size zero but now there is. That make no sense! Can we all please start using truthful measurements?
I had read about this in an article a while back and now I understand why size “0” exists (which it doesn’t really. Zero = nothing!). I think they even have size “00” now. When you think about it that’s really insane – what’s double of nothing? More nothing?
Anyway, I had no idea that your belts were true to size and that people gave you such a hard time about it. Even men! Maybe it’s because I’m a thin person although I’m probably really a size 10 or 12 instead of a 6 or 8. Does that make me plus size?
It’s all just crazy. Thanks for holding fast to the Truth, Renia.
Also would make online ordering easier. I fit anywhere from a med to XXL, and a 34-40″ waist depending on the brand. How confusing is that? If I could just throw a measuring tape around my waist, order that number and know it will arrive and fit I could shop more confidently. No one sees the sizing label INSIDE your clothing, so who cares?!?!? If it fits and looks good, then wear it!
Clothing sizing is so confusing and intimidating. In general, I go for a target size but…who cares! If it fits and I look good then size schmize! Just like my weight…if I look good and feel good then who cares about the number. Thank you for spreading the truth!