Date of Graduation

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development

Advisor/Mentor

Apple, Laurie

Committee Member/Reader

Hubert, Stephanie

Committee Member/Second Reader

Southward, Leigh

Abstract

The apparel industry lacks a universal sizing system and has created tactics to group consumers under a few generic sizes. The inconsistency in sizing has led to a struggle of consumers trying to find pieces of clothing that are not only their size but fit their measurements as well. An analysis of the sizing charts of 5 different women’s clothing private labels ranging from sizes 0-16 within two major department stores was assessed. The sizing charts within each individual store were evaluated, and then compared to one another. After calculating the sizing differences, an average of both store A and store B were used to differentiate the sizing inconsistencies.

The purpose of this study was to closely look at the discrepancies in a numeric sizing system between five private labels of women’s clothing brands within two department stores. Sizes 0-16 were the focus, and plus sizes were not included at this time. Shopping for clothes can be difficult, especially when one is unsure of what their true size is. Someone could wear a size 12 comfortably in one brand, but a size 12 could be too big in another brand. The inconsistency in sizing can alter how one views themselves making them think that they are bigger or smaller than what they really are.

Keywords

Sizing system; apparel fit; psychosizing; service learning

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