Sizing Up the Situation - Part 3

Day three of the investigative process on plus size confusion. The more steps I take, spiraling out into the industry, the more confused i get. BUT I am finding some -very- interesting information about how sizes are set, what standards exist, and just who's driving that bus.

The questions I'm trying to answer:
What size are you? And how do you KNOW you're that size?

The hunt has taken me to ASTM International, the keeper of and setter of all things standard, and reveals a listing for ASTM Standard D6960-04 "Standard Table of Body Measurements Relating to Women's Plus Size Figure Type, Sizes 14W-32W," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. www.astm.org. I teeter on the edge of the Holy Grail, finger hovering over the Buy button, and then stop. Would I, a mere mortal and neophyte of fashionista knowledge, have anything resembling a CLUE of what I was reading, if I did order it?

Further prodding of other buttons reveals a stern license agreement that makes me believe that, even if I did manage to get my hands on a copy of this standard, I couldn't tell anyone about it anyway, much less mention what's inside. I put away my checkbook, and trudge onward into the barely lit darkness.

Sizing Up the Situation - Part 2

1/26 - I feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole in here. Every time I turn around, I collide into yet another bit of conflicting data regarding plus size apparel sizing. Given that this blogware does not seem to let me add paragraph breaks, I've brought this out from our Perfectly Shaped World Social Club (PSWSC) here. Let the madness continue!

The questions I'm trying to answer:
What size are you? And how do you KNOW you're that size?

Plus size fashion sizing has come under heavy fire from the consumer front. Heck, I've even been one doing some of the firing! But it's time to find out more, not just sit on the dressing-room sidelines and mutter in disgust. Stay tuned while I dive!

Major Props to REAL Plus Size Merchants

What defines a REAL Plus Size Merchant: Their plus size fashions are designed for the plus size form, displayed on plus size models and/or mannequins. Add them here as you find them - and I'll start the ball rolling with two.



Realityplus Clothing, for designing specifically to the plus size form, displaying on realistically sized mannequin, and providing an elegant, flexible line of ensemble fashions.



Igigi, for displaying on realistically sized models, for providing myShape, aimed at shopping by shape, with coherent explanations.

What have YOU found?