Mindset #3: Size is a Social Construct

If you've ever shopped in a women's store, you are likely aware that sizes vary. If you've ever shopped in a thrift store, or better yet a vintage shop, you are likely aware that women's sizes are completely made up and serve no purpose.

Women's sizes have changed over time and continue to do so. It is based on what the dominant culture, which is inherently racist and patriarchal, decides at any given moment in time. A size 12 in the 1960s is nowhere near a size 12 today. I will use myself as an example, (and also let's do more normalizing of talking about weight, height, and size):

I am 39 years old, 5'10", and weigh anywhere from 150-160 pounds depending on the day (side note, your weight is also meaningless). I generally wear a 6 or 8 in pants and a small or medium in tops. I have a 0 petite dress from the Loft that fits me perfectly. I have a vintage skirt, size 10 petite that fits me perfectly - I am far from petite. I have a men's LL Bean sweater, size M long that fits me perfectly. I have a 4XL shirt from SHEIN that fits oversize, but I love it. My body has not changed and is no better or worse because of the tag on my clothes.

Your body is your body, and it does not change whether the label on your pants says 4 or 14. Being a "smaller size" or a "larger size" does not actually make you any smaller or larger. Embrace your body as it is and find clothes that work WITH you.

When thrifting, use this to your advantage. My favorite secondhand spot, SwapIt in Medford, is organized by category and color, not size, and I always find the most amazing items, mostly not "in my size".

The more open you are to sizes the more finds you will have thrifting!