have you ever been insulted about your weight?

[gypsy_rose]

Average Clothing Size Is WHAT?

Despite what the fashion industry thinks, the average clothing size in the United States is not a svelte 8 for women and a 40 regular for men. The average women's size is 14, the size at which "plus-sized" clothing begins. And the average size for men is 44.

We're bigger not only in weight and height, but also just about every measurement in between, according to the new SizeUSA survey, a first-of-its-kind look at our measurements that has been taken since World War II, reports The New York Times, which published the results. Sponsored by various clothing and textile companies, the Army, the Navy, and several universities, the survey of 10,000 people in 13 cities nationwide used a light-pulsing 3-D scanner to take 240 body measurements from tip to toe. (No fudging in this survey!)

Let's size up some fascinating facts as reported by The New York Times:

The Ladies:

• 64 percent of women are pear-shaped, while 30 percent are "straight," which means they have little perceptible waist.
• Black women have larger measurements than other women, but they are most likely to have the classic hourglass shape.
• Women over 36 are the most likely to have bigger hips.
• Black women older than 55 have smaller hips than those ages 45 to 55.

The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average:

• White: 41-34-43
• Black: 43-37-46
• Hispanic: 42.5-36-44
• Asian: 41-35-43

The Gentlemen:

• Older men have trimmer thighs than younger men.
• 19 percent of men are considered portly.
• An additional 19 percent of men have "lower front waists." (That means they have to look under their belly to find their waist.)
• Men who are over 45 are the most likely to have bellies.

The fashion industry assumes the average man is a traditional 40 regular, which means 40-inch chest, 34-inch waist, and 40-inch hip, with a 15.5-inch collar. In the real world, men ages 36 to 45 actually average:

• White: 44-38-42
• Black: 43-37-42
• Hispanic: 44-38-42
• Asian: 42-37-41

About 51 percent of men and 38 percent of women said they were "about the right weight" when asked their perception of how much they weighed. Meanwhile, 10 percent of men and 21 percent of women faced the truth and acknowledged they were "quite a bit overweight."

 http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/homerealestate/package.jsp?name=fte/clothessize/clothessize

[Elyssa414]

Interesting. I've been insulted for being too thin and for being too fat- I'm a size 6...

[Punkie74]

I was asked how far along I was at a size 10 and 14.... I was told I was too thin at a size 6.... I felt insulted being asked if I was pregnant... I did not feel insulted when told I was too thin.... Being told your fat hurts way more.

[2metalbabies]

Most of the people I meet are too distacted by my boobs to notice the rest of my lard ass! Funny thing is, 200 years ago I would have been one of the most sought out women in the world!

[MIA0223]

Yes, I am bigger. And my sister is insulted all the time for being too thin (She is very thin). And my grandmother is average size (6 ish) and is called too thin. It's like there is never any inbetween!