After having an education in dress sizes, I tried to figure out what the average size of a woman is. It seems that most statistics are based on American women, and the historical average size worked out to be a 14 which works out to be a UK size 18. Then, a study published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education revealed that "the average size of an American woman is now between 16 to 18". I believe these are currently known as plus sizes The actual average dress size in the UK is now 16 (US 12) though the younger generation is more likely to have a lower ideal dress size than their elders. Ages between 18-24 and 25-39-year-olds tend to choose size 11 compared to 40-59-year-olds saying 13 and those over 60 saying 14.
Still as clear as mud. At this point, I still couldn’t figure what size I could buy as they were so variable. So I asked my wife what size she was, as I figured her size was fairly representative of the women I knew. I got an answer of UK 10 which is a US 6 and is regarded as small ("vanity sizing" maybe). So I figured I would go with a dress between UK 10 and 12 and hope that it is stretchy material.
As to the type of dress, I came across this quote which I totally agree with as I like to see women in nice long elegant dresses:
“Why do women want to dress like men when they’re fortunate enough to be women? Why lose femininity, which is one of our greatest charms? We get more accomplished by being charming than we would be flaunting around in pants and smoking. I’m very fond of men. I think they are wonderful creatures. I love them dearly. But I don’t want to look like one. When women gave up their long skirts, they made a grave error…”― Tasha Tudor (1915-2008), a prolific children's book illustrator who published over 100 books during her lifetime.
So I went to Donation Nation and looked at the dresses that they had there. I was really impressed with the selection available and luckily I had some help from the assistants - I don’t think they had too many men coming in looking for long dresses for women. I also got a compliment - they loved my taste and that included a customer who was also there. I felt quite good really - it made spending money that more enjoyable.
I purchased a couple of dresses and asked my wife to try one on and it fitted pretty darn good. I was very impressed with myself.
So if you would like to book a photoshoot with me and don’t have a nice elegant long dress, I do have three - size 10 with a little bit of give.
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