Are You Fearing the Tag? The Importance of Well-fitting Clothing

Several years ago my boyfriend at the time asked for my dress size. He was planning to purchase clothes as a birthday present for me. I told him I wore a size 12, but I actually wore a size 14. Back then I feared the tag. In retrospect, my actions were utterly ridiculous. What is the point of having clothes I can’t fit? But more important—why did I lie about the size I wore?

I was 23 when this incident occurred, and even though my self-esteem had improved since my high school days, I still struggled with my body image. Earlier this week I had a conversation with one of my friends about how sometimes it takes the mind longer to catch up or accept bodily changes, and I realize I am one of those people.

Before I hit puberty I was “skinny,” but once I turned 11 everything changed. Between the ages of 11 and 17 I felt awkward and unattractive. After graduating from high school I lost weight and I went from wearing a size 16 to a size 10. In spite of the fact that I was smaller, I hadn’t grasped the reality of my weight loss— in my mind I still saw a “fat” person.

As the years passed I eventually began to see my weight loss, but I clearly still had body image issues. Based on the lie I told my former boyfriend, I didn’t want to be identified with a size 14—but why? He knew what I looked like—he was my boyfriend. Did I think he was going to break up with me because of my dress size? And if he had, that would have been an indicator that I didn’t need to be involved with him. But what I really needed to do was accept myself as I was.

Wearing clothes that fit are vital to a polished well-put-together look. Furthermore, being in denial, in any situation, doesn’t change the facts. If you think about it, the only way another person will know what size you wear is if you tell them. But, everybody knows when your clothes don’t fit. It is imperative to be the best version of ourselves holistically, which includes what we display on the outside and what is going on inside.

Poorly-fitted clothing is not a good look on either ends of the spectrum. Wearing clothes that are too big look just as bad as clothes that are too small. Clothing that is too large can make one look sloppy and uncaring about their appearance. I understand there are different levels of comfort when it comes to clothing, and there are concerns with “showing” one’s body. However, there is a huge difference between tight and fitted.

If your clothes are on the tight side, consider sizing up for a more refined look. And if your clothing choices tend to be too big for you, give some thought to sizing down for a more sophisticated look. What is the harm in trying? But, I think you’re going to like how you look – give it a shot.

A great place to find well-fitted clothes is eShakti. They are an online store I mentioned before that offers clothing from size 0-36W. eShakti also offers customization to garments based on your personal style and measurements. Yes, your measurements! You can provide your body measurements and they will create the pieces of your choice to fit you perfectly. Awesome right? Check them out!

By no means am I deviating from encouraging you to be yourself. My goal is to drive all of us to be better versions of ourselves inwardly and outwardly.

Here I am rocking my customized eShakti dress – I absolutely adore it!