Women's Clothing Sizes Are Shrinking, Fueling Body Image Anxiety Among Women

“Same Weight, Tighter Fit”

“I haven't gained weight, but the clothes I buy are getting tighter. The shoulders are narrower, the waistlines are slimmer, and skirts are much shorter,” sighed Ms. Zhang from Beijing while shopping. In recent years, discussions about “adult women's clothing sizes getting smaller” have frequently trended online. Many women report that this “shrinking” of sizes makes shopping increasingly difficult and even exposes them to body shaming for no reason.

“We Don't Have Your Size”

“I used to wear size M, but now I can't even fit into size L. Many trendy styles don't even offer larger sizes, making it impossible to find something that fits,” Ms. Zhang shared. With women's clothing sizes shrinking, many stores only carry up to size L. For designs that are new and stylish, it is nearly impossible for women with fuller figures to find suitable sizes.

Ms. Wu, who is 172cm tall with a larger frame, faces the same issue. “My BMI is within the healthy range, but I can't fit into many popular styles and have to buy from the plus-size section,” she explained. However, many plus-size options are overly loose and lack aesthetic design, leaving her feeling abandoned by the market.

On major shopping apps, styles like “hot girl aesthetic” and “BM style” dominate the market. The “BM style” is known for being short, tight, and revealing, leading many women to view fitting into these clothes as a symbol of a “good body.”

Some sellers equate smaller sizes with “good bodies,” setting unreasonable beauty standards that exclude consumers. Discriminatory comments from store clerks like “we don't have your size” or “don't bother trying, it won't fit you” are common, discouraging women with fuller figures from even trying on clothes.

“Leaving the Mall with Body Anxiety”

The long-standing aesthetic of “pale, young, and thin” is a major reason behind the shrinking of women's clothing sizes. This beauty standard views a slim body as the only measure of attractiveness, acting as an invisible ruler against which women's worth is judged. Influencers on social media often showcase tight and revealing outfits, further shaping consumer perceptions of beauty. To align with these trends, many sellers prefer stocking smaller sizes.

“Small Sizes Sell Fast”

According to Ms. Yan, who operates a women's clothing store on an e-commerce platform, “small sizes are the top sellers. Whenever we launch a new collection, the items with the most visits and add-to-cart rates are the smallest sizes, so they become the priority for stocking.”

While there are national standards for clothing sizes in China, these are only recommended guidelines. Many online clothing shops handle their own designs and sizing, leaving factories to simply produce according to demand, allowing sellers to make sizes as small as they wish.

Some sellers deliberately make sizes smaller under the label of “slimming fit” or “flattering,” even pushing the idea that wearing smaller sizes is a test of a woman's body, pressuring women to conform to these unrealistic standards. “I lost 15 pounds just to try on an L-size dress, but I still couldn't zip it up,” shared Xiao Zhai, who has struggled with shrinking clothing sizes for years. “Every time I go shopping, I end up feeling anxious about my body, wondering how thin I need to be to wear a beautiful dress.”

Rejecting Narrow Beauty Standards

Consumers are calling for the fashion industry to establish healthier and more inclusive standards. Clothing manufacturers should ensure accurate sizing, while sellers should clearly list detailed measurements in product descriptions, acknowledging the diversity of women's bodies and expanding size ranges.

For consumers, embracing a healthy perspective on beauty is equally important. “Standard size” and “standard body” are artificial labels, and beauty has never had a single definition. Every woman carries her own unique beauty, and instead of worrying in the fitting room, it is better to accept oneself with calm confidence and let true beauty shine.

“Comfort Over Size Labels”

“Whether clothes fit well and look good on me is what matters,” said Coco, a 20-year-old college student. “I can confidently wear XL and still look great.” She emphasized that clothing should serve people, comfort should be the priority, and a healthy body is the true standard of beauty.