Since when is a size 12 an "XL"?

compass172
compass172 Posts: 15 Member
Society is really screwing up how women and girls see themselves. Lululemon is a clothing company that targets active women, but only up to a size 12 (and even then they don't offer much or encourage those at that size to shop there). A woman can be active and a size 12 or larger. I'd boycott Lululemon on principle, but I can't afford their clothes anyway :p
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Replies

  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I support your decision. From now on I only buy my dresses at Lane Bryant.
  • AbbeyDove
    AbbeyDove Posts: 317 Member
    You're right. That's total crap. Amusingly, Lululemon has been having it's own problems, including a gigantic recall on it's yoga pants. See:

    http://luluaddict.blogspot.com/2013/03/pantsgate-how-see-through-are-pants_21.html
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    Tuesday.
  • Mistizoom
    Mistizoom Posts: 578 Member
    I guess they are not using vanity sizing.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    Like abercrombie and fitch they don't want the bigger ladies advertising their clothes (by wearing them).
    It's their prerogative...

    Everyone identifies with certain brands, because of the way they look or are cut for a good fit (or their cost)... You just find the brands that suit you. :wink:
  • Hollywoodm55
    Hollywoodm55 Posts: 155 Member
    I just read an article yesterday how they toss the 10 and 12 sizes in a pile in the back, while the other smaller sizes are neatly folded inthe rest of the store. They say they don't sell as much of those sizes.
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
    Lululemon isn't alone. Have you ever gone to a race where they have "women's sizing" for the t-shirts? This is especially true for marathons, and there are all sizes of women who run marathons.
    Even if I wear a Small or Medium in other clothes, I almost always get a Large or XL race shirt. I guess the truly XL women have to get the mens shirts...
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,028 Member
    Society is really screwing up how women and girls see themselves. Lululemon is a clothing company that targets active women, but only up to a size 12 (and even then they don't offer much or encourage those at that size to shop there). A woman can be active and a size 12 or larger. I'd boycott Lululemon on principle, but I can't afford their clothes anyway :p
    A strong confident female doesn't conform to the prerequisites of how the media portrays how a woman should be. Females adhere due to influence. Lululemon has every right to market to whom they want to and if their target is size 12 and lower, then there shouldn't be hard feelings about it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I thought it always had been. The clothing is a standard Misses' sizing.

    0-2 = XXS
    2-4 = XS
    4-6 = S
    6-8 = M
    8-10 = M/L
    10-12 = L/XL
    12-14 = XL/XXL

    Above 12-14, the sizes change to a Women's sizing.

    Some stores have adjusted so that 4-6 becomes XS, but it is a vanity adjustment. They also have adjusted Misses' clothing to go up to sizes 16-18 so that they can market to more people.

    If you're upset by this, imagine Japan. a size 6 petite is XL or XXL in many stores.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I thought it always had been. The clothing is a standard Misses' sizing.

    0-2 = XXS
    2-4 = XS
    4-6 = S
    6-8 = M
    8-10 = M/L
    10-12 = L
    12-14 = XL

    Above 12-14, the sizes change to a Women's sizing.

    Some stores have adjusted so that 4-6 becomes XS, but it is a vanity adjustment. They also have adjusted Misses' clothing to go up to sizes 16-18 so that they can market to more people.

    If you're upset by this, imagine Japan. a size 6 petite is XL or XXL in many stores.

    QFT. For as long as I can remember "Plus Sizing" has started at size 12. Even LB starts at size 12 and in my memory always has.
  • laughingdani
    laughingdani Posts: 2,275 Member
    No one sees the tags on your clothing anyway.

    Sure, the smaller number makes me feel good..... But honestly, as long as an item of
    clothing fits well and flatters my figure, I could care less what size the tag says.
  • i don't know, i take more issue with stores like old navy, who sell plus size clothes but ONLY online. love the message of 'sure we'll take your money but we don't want to see you in our stores, fatty.'
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
    i don't know, i take more issue with stores like old navy, who sell plus size clothes but ONLY online. love the message of 'sure we'll take your money but we don't want to see you in our stores, fatty.'

    Really? I didn't realize that. So, I guess plus sizes don't need to try on clothes? That's really odd.
  • mister_universe
    mister_universe Posts: 6,664 Member
    Uhhh...size 12 is large at the very least, bordering on XL. At that's from somebody who *likes* a size 12. OP has panties in a bunch. Big, extra large panties. :devil:

    Chart posted by BeachGinger is on the money...always has been in my memory.

    If anything, men's sizing might be more vanity focused than women's. Chest sizes in shirts have gone up 2-4 inches since I was a kid. Used to be 34-36 was small, 38-40 was a medium. Now mediums most places are 40-42, and cut *very* generously. Larges now run 44-46, XL doesn't even start until 48.

    Point being, calling a 12 an extra large isn't inaccurate at all, and it's sure a lot better than calling it a medium, like is happening in men's sizes now.
  • UrbanLotus
    UrbanLotus Posts: 1,163 Member
    I thought it always had been. The clothing is a standard Misses' sizing.

    0-2 = XXS
    2-4 = XS
    4-6 = S
    6-8 = M
    8-10 = M/L
    10-12 = L
    12-14 = XL

    Above 12-14, the sizes change to a Women's sizing.

    Some stores have adjusted so that 4-6 becomes XS, but it is a vanity adjustment. They also have adjusted Misses' clothing to go up to sizes 16-18 so that they can market to more people.

    If you're upset by this, imagine Japan. a size 6 petite is XL or XXL in many stores.

    QFT. For as long as I can remember "Plus Sizing" has started at size 12. Even LB starts at size 12 and in my memory always has.

    Every store I can think of, besides Lulu, carries up to size 14 in their regular clothes. Where does plus start at 12?? And I don't get why, in this chart, there is no "L"? Each other designation gets it's own, but you only have m/l and l/xl. I've been a 14 and can assure you I've never worn xxl, and rarely even xl - this chart is way off. Anyway I do agree that Lulu can market to whoever they want.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I'd rather have to wear a size xl from lululemon and know, no matter how much it might irritate me, that it's accurate - than wear a size 6 from Gap or Old Navy and know that it's just vanity sizing and not reality, anyway. Sounds like OP wants her ego stroked. LuLuLemon won't conform? *ZOMG* Insult! Body Shaming! *ZOMG*
  • compass172
    compass172 Posts: 15 Member
    I in no way support conforming to media/society ideals, however I am not an impressionable youth. In regards to sizing, I never claimed a size 12 was "small" but in sizing for women (not juniors etc) an XL is a 16/18. Having been a true XL I would love to be a 12, which most brands consider 10/12 a medium. My issue is more taken with the fact that someone selling active wear is making the statement that someone who is larger than a size 12 cannot possibly be active. MFP is a prime example of very active people that do not fit into this peg hole. In the same way that being skinny does not mean you are healthy/ in shape.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    No one sees the tags on your clothing anyway.

    Sure, the smaller number makes me feel good..... But honestly, as long as an item of
    clothing fits well and flatters my figure, I could care less what size the tag says.

    So much this! The clothing in my closet ranges from size 10 to size 16 and I'm fine with it because at the end of the day I shop for fit, not for numbers.
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    My workout isn't a fashion show. I have shorts and sweats I've had for years and seem to get more free T-shirts than I can ever use and those are my workout clothes. I save my money for great clothes for other occasions, like work and socializing. I may be in lululemon's target market but you won't see me in their stores.
  • OllyReeves
    OllyReeves Posts: 579 Member
    Uhhh...size 12 is large at the very least, bordering on XL. At that's from somebody who *likes* a size 12. OP has panties in a bunch. Big, extra large panties. :devil:

    Chart posted by BeachGinger is on the money...always has been in my memory.

    If anything, men's sizing might be more vanity focused than women's. Chest sizes in shirts have gone up 2-4 inches since I was a kid. Used to be 34-36 was small, 38-40 was a medium. Now mediums most places are 40-42, and cut *very* generously. Larges now run 44-46, XL doesn't even start until 48.

    Point being, calling a 12 an extra large isn't inaccurate at all, and it's sure a lot better than calling it a medium, like is happening in men's sizes now.

    how thoroughly patronising.

    On topic, I find it with Fatface. I like their undershorts and went on the website to have a look, and a XXL is 38" waist. I think that's ludicrous. It's nothing to do with vanity. XXL implies seriously big, and 38 inch waist is not that!
  • KellyKAG
    KellyKAG Posts: 418
    i don't know, i take more issue with stores like old navy, who sell plus size clothes but ONLY online. love the message of 'sure we'll take your money but we don't want to see you in our stores, fatty.'


    ^^^ This - Agreed 100%
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I thought it always had been. The clothing is a standard Misses' sizing.

    0-2 = XXS
    2-4 = XS
    4-6 = S
    6-8 = M
    8-10 = M/L
    10-12 = L/XL
    12-14 = XL/XXL

    Above 12-14, the sizes change to a Women's sizing.

    Some stores have adjusted so that 4-6 becomes XS, but it is a vanity adjustment. They also have adjusted Misses' clothing to go up to sizes 16-18 so that they can market to more people.

    If you're upset by this, imagine Japan. a size 6 petite is XL or XXL in many stores.

    QTF.

    Not to mention that I think that vanity sizes have done more to harm peoples perception than honestly sizing a piece of clothing. I have skirts that I bought 15 years ago in a size 10 that were tight on my size 4 body . . . I bought them at a store that no longer carries anything smaller than a 4 . . . so a store that I shopped at 15 years ago no longer sells clothing that fits on my body despite the fact that I'm larger than I was 15 years ago.

    Also, it's just not practical for some stores to carry every size of clothing known to man, they can either sell a variety of sizes or a variety of styles, or pay for a larger space.

    I don't care what the tag says on my clothing, but it pisses me off that vanity sizes make it difficult to buy on line because you're never quite certain what type of size "x" they're talking about.

    If you're not buying lululemon, why do you care?
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
    I in no way support conforming to media/society ideals, however I am not an impressionable youth. In regards to sizing, I never claimed a size 12 was "small" but in sizing for women (not juniors etc) an XL is a 16/18. Having been a true XL I would love to be a 12, which most brands consider 10/12 a medium. My issue is more taken with the fact that someone selling active wear is making the statement that someone who is larger than a size 12 cannot possibly be active. MFP is a prime example of very active people that do not fit into this peg hole. In the same way that being skinny does not mean you are healthy/ in shape.

    Today, a size 10/12 may be a medium. Historically, size 12-14 was always XL, and you had to go to Womens' sizes to get any larger than that.
    Lululemon is not saying that larger than size 12 cannot be active, they are choosing not to carry plus sizes. There are a lot of shops out there that don't carry plus sizes.
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
    Uhhh...size 12 is large at the very least, bordering on XL. At that's from somebody who *likes* a size 12. OP has panties in a bunch. Big, extra large panties. :devil:

    Chart posted by BeachGinger is on the money...always has been in my memory.

    If anything, men's sizing might be more vanity focused than women's. Chest sizes in shirts have gone up 2-4 inches since I was a kid. Used to be 34-36 was small, 38-40 was a medium. Now mediums most places are 40-42, and cut *very* generously. Larges now run 44-46, XL doesn't even start until 48.

    Point being, calling a 12 an extra large isn't inaccurate at all, and it's sure a lot better than calling it a medium, like is happening in men's sizes now.

    how thoroughly patronising.

    On topic, I find it with Fatface. I like their undershorts and went on the website to have a look, and a XXL is 38" waist. I think that's ludicrous. It's nothing to do with vanity. XXL implies seriously big, and 38 inch waist is not that!

    It's all in perspective. I remember when my dad gained a bunch of weight when I was in high school, and we thought he was out of control. He had a 40" waist, and he's 6'2". As a society, it's clear that we are finding it acceptable to be larger than we ever have. Today, my dad wears a 38" waist and his cardiologist has told him that he MUST get the extra weight off for his health.
  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    Every store I can think of, besides Lulu, carries up to size 14 in their regular clothes. Where does plus start at 12?? And I don't get why, in this chart, there is no "L"? Each other designation gets it's own, but you only have m/l and l/xl. I've been a 14 and can assure you I've never worn xxl, and rarely even xl - this chart is way off. Anyway I do agree that Lulu can market to whoever they want.

    Anywhere I shop, plus size is definitely larger than a size 12. But I don't have a desire to spend $100 on lululemon pants, so their marketing practices don't really bother me.
  • I have clothes in my waredrobe ranging from SM to XL... the SM fits perfectly and the XL is too tight. weird...
  • mister_universe
    mister_universe Posts: 6,664 Member
    how thoroughly patronising.

    On topic, I find it with Fatface. I like their undershorts and went on the website to have a look, and a XXL is 38" waist. I think that's ludicrous. It's nothing to do with vanity. XXL implies seriously big, and 38 inch waist is not that!

    Not sure how that's patronizing, unless the statement of my opinion is now officially that. You sound butthurt.

    A 38" waist in men's clothing would be an L, not a double X. Historically it was 28-30 as small, 32-34 medium, 36-38 large. So on that point, we agree.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    The chart I provided is based on traditional sizing over the past 30 years. Sizes have changed a lot because of vanity sizing.

    Many clothing companies make their own size charts and don't follow guidelines. Clothing companies that want to market to a greater population will vanity size because it makes economic sense to market to people ranging from size 6-16. There are plenty of companies that call a 6 XS because it opens up to a larger target market.

    It doesn't change the traditional sizing. It all depends on brands and shopping perceptions. People who are used to wearing a brand marked L but that are a size 14 will view the size as such. People who wear a different brand who are used to wearing XL but that are a size 12 will view their size as such. Take these 2 women into the opposite woman's store, and they will both complain that sizing is off.
  • i don't know, i take more issue with stores like old navy, who sell plus size clothes but ONLY online. love the message of 'sure we'll take your money but we don't want to see you in our stores, fatty.'

    Really? I didn't realize that. So, I guess plus sizes don't need to try on clothes? That's really odd.

    yeah not only that, but they price gouge something fierce. i was looking at their bathing suits--you could get a cute patterned bikini top for $15. go into the plus size section? there's only one bikini top to choose from, it's black, it's ugly, it's boring--it's $40. i think the whole ~it costs more because of the extra fabric~ excuse is bs to begin with, but nothing, NOTHING can justify making that bikini top nearly 3 times as much as the straight size ones.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    I in no way support conforming to media/society ideals, however I am not an impressionable youth. In regards to sizing, I never claimed a size 12 was "small" but in sizing for women (not juniors etc) an XL is a 16/18. Having been a true XL I would love to be a 12, which most brands consider 10/12 a medium. My issue is more taken with the fact that someone selling active wear is making the statement that someone who is larger than a size 12 cannot possibly be active. MFP is a prime example of very active people that do not fit into this peg hole. In the same way that being skinny does not mean you are healthy/ in shape.

    I dunno where you are shopping, but I pretty consistantly wear a 12/14 across many brands and everything is XL/XXL respectively...