NEXTopia Welcome to NEXTopia, a Web diary in which NEXT writers — and readers — share their evolving thoughts on a variety of issues. The opinions you read below are those of the individual writers, not necessarily those representing The Seattle Times. Respond to NEXTopia Currently, NEXTopia cannot automatically post readers' comments on the blog. However, writers and editors will regularly post your name and comments unless you note otherwise.

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Pant size variations

A recent study by the University of North Texas School of Merchandising found that pant sizes vary considerably. Researchers “measured the waist circumference of 139 pairs of pants labeled ‘size 4’ and found they differed by nearly 9 inches.” Furthermore, some size 14 pants are smaller than other manufacturers’ size 4 pants! How’s a girl to know, then, if she’s a size 4 or 14? No wonder it’s so hard to shop for pants and to have a consistent “size.” Interestingly enough, the study found that pricey pants are usually cut larger. Perhaps, upscale stores engage in “vanity sizing”: “making the pants bigger to get size-conscious women to pay extra for the little white lie on the label.” It’s stupid to have huge size disparities and create endless shopping confusion -- all for the sake of having a smaller number on a label, which no one will really see anyway. I wish they’d cut the “vanity sizing” and end the disparities, in favor of consistent sizes everywhere. Respond to Christina

Posted by Christina Asavareungchai at December 7, 2004 05:12 PM