'What it says on the label means nothing': Woman's side-by-side photo shows how sizes change between brands

If you’ve ever entered a change room, your usual size of pants in hand, only to have them barely rise past your knees: you’re not alone.

Adele Barbaro is a writer from Melbourne, Australia, who recently reposted an image of hers from 2016. In the Instagram post, she marveled at how, despite the current body positive movement, brands are still making clothes according to unrealistic standards.

Sharing a side-by-side photo from two different clothing brands, Barbaro asks the question many of us have in the change room.

“Why the hell am I a medium at Jacqui E but I’m an extra large at Zara? It’s no wonder adolescent girls and women (not to mention boys and men) have a problem with body image in Australia today,” she wrote.

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“On a shopping experience back in 2016, I posted this pic after a frustrating shopping trip, as it made me realize that there should be a standardized measuring system across the board, that is a true representation of sizing in every store. For men, women and children.”

Recognizing that some clothing stores are blatantly marketed toward particular body types, the mom-of-two explained how despite being under the average weight of Australians, she still needs to dress in extra large clothing.

“I am more than aware that some shops house a particular style of clothes that is not suitable for a more voluptuous or curvy woman but don’t hide it in a sizing system like size one and two,” wrote Barbaro.

“Both my husband and I are under the average weight of both male and females in Australia but we are often XL when we shop. How messed up is that? I am NOT an extra large person. By calling men and women ‘extra large’, when they are smaller than the Australian average is sending a message that they are larger than they should be.”

Calling for the regulation of sizing standards, Barbaro’s followers couldn’t agree more with the sentiment.

“Agreed. And the Jacqui E one looks better by the way. I find buying clothes hard work. It is exhausting on my emotions and won’t go unless I’m having a ‘skinny day’. Bet I’m not the only one. We are so hard on ourselves aren’t we?” asked one follower.

“It’s ridiculous. I can range from a size six to 12 in different brands. It seems like the brands where I’m the biggest size are also marketed to the youngest age groups. No wonder we all grow up with body image issues. Imagine what we could achieve if we didn’t waste so much of our energy thinking we aren’t good enough? We’ve all got so much more to give than just our appearance,” added another.

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If Barbaro’s post proves anything, it’s that the fashion industry needs an overhaul when it comes to consistent sizing.

While the mommy blogger may not be able to inspire this change on her own, she had an important message for anyone who may be putting a bit too much stock in the sizing charts.

“Although size is just a number and I am comfortable and confident with my weight, I want every unsure girl or boy and every disheartened man or woman, to know that what it says on the label MEANS NOTHING.”

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