I’m a UK size 10 to the best of my knowledge but sometimes I fit into a “small” size 12 and I haven’t bothered to know the US equivalent of it because it’s tiring in my opinion. Every human’s body is unique but can be categorized into sizes based on their common origin and ancestry. For this reason, a universal size chart was created for fashion designers and buyers to make the fashion experience as seamless as possible. But there are buts.
A typical African woman is curvy despite being slim or thick (I dislike the word ‘fat’) Well-rounded buttocks, wide hips, tummy rolls and other features are common among us but with exceptions of course. Going into details will seem like I’m writing a dissertation and I don’t intend on doing that in order not to bore you. Although, I have a handful of concerns and questions which I’m going to point out in this post.
On the universal size chart, all the continents except Africa are represented. Whenever I purchase a clothing item, I check the tags with the size and laundry information and there’s nothing about Africa on the size description. Why? We have the popular listed countries like UK, US, Turkey, China, Germany, France, Turkey, Australia, Mexico etc on these tags but not even one African country have I seen.
Considering the fact that these foreign brands have a huge market base in Africa, wouldn’t it make sense if they had “Africa” listed on their tags? Why does a Nigerian like me living in Nigeria or a Sudanese living in Korea have to shop for clothes in foreign sizes? Sometimes, these sizes don’t fit exactly and you can find yourself fitting into a size 12 shirt and a size 14 pair of jeans. Like I said earlier, it’s tiring.
The fashion industry in Africa is witnessing a monumental growth and the narrative is changing. Some African celebrities only wear clothes made by indigenous designers thereby influencing their fan base to do same. We have seen African designers make their debuts at international fashion festivals and becoming globally recognized. This is superb!
Recently, I’ve noticed that some Nigerian fashion designers have made custom size charts to suit their clientele because of size disparities. This shouldn’t be the case if these designers can come together and work towards creating a standard African size chart. Wouldn’t that be possible? It’s quite disappointing that in the 21st century, Africa is yet to be listed on the universal size chart. I won’t blame foreign brands for not taking the initiative on this issue because our indigenous designers have also become big players in the fashion industry. I think it’s about time they do the needful.
Do you know your exact size? Have you ever had issues with cloth sizes while shopping? Are you aware that no African country or Africa in general is listed on the universal size chart? What are your thoughts on this? Please share with me.
Meanwhile, you can catch up on my previous posts here and here. Also, please do well to follow me on Instagram. I share short stories every week and you can get to interact more with me. Thanks!
Sending you warm hugs during this rainy season. Please do well to keep warm as much as possible and still practice social distancing. It isn’t over till it’s over.
I never knew that Africa as a whole let alone one African country was not listed on the chart🤦🏽♀️ It’s quite sad. Anyways, i am a size 10, sometimes i fit into an 8 and sometimes a 12🙆🏽♀️… I know..i have one kind of body that “shrinks” which makes it able for me to fit into smaller sizes😝😝 but like you said all this is tiring. I wear a size 28 for jeans but when i go to buy the seller always always🤦🏽♀️ argues with me that its not possible i wear a 28 that i can try to fit in a 30 but 32 would be my perfect size 🤣. I just laugh and then i burst their bubble and they will be like haaa..na wa oo, with all this hips you dey wear 28 hmm…i would now be like abi i tell you but you dey argue i kuku keep quiet na. Honestly, the whole chart thing is tiring but then i wouldn’t mind that our fashion designers come together to create an African size chart or better still a Nigerian size chart if thats possible.
Nice piece Ogo..i am loving them all🥰😍
I never knew no Africa country isn’t listed in the size chart, like it never occurred to me.
Well for me that I am always between size 6-8🤦♀, I no even understand the thing sef.
Hopefully our African designers come together and create a size chart we can all resonate better with as Africans.
Nice piece as usual, you no dey disappoint 😍😎
Yes, it gets confusing sometimes. Our designers really need to act on it. Thank you so much, Rebecca! 💛
Our stories are similar😂 that goes to show that there are a lot of issues with the size chart to begin with. A Nigerian size chart will make so much sense. Thanks Ava!! I appreciate your comment.🥰💛
This is valid for guys too. I remember shopping from ASOS sometime last year. Bomber jacket, Chelsea Boots and Strap sandals. I chose a size ahead to avoid stories and they still came in smaller, all of them. I had to resell at a thrift rate so I could sell out fast. It’s annoying. They don’t even specify it’s a small or big. Just goes to show they don’t rate us even if they know we buy lots of these things. Funny thing is that many of their garment factories are in Africa where they are paid peanuts. Levi and H&M garment workers in Ethiopia are lowest paid in the world. One day, we hope it’s resolved.
Wow. This is so true. Thanks for shedding more light on this topic. I really hope the situation improves soon. Thanks a lot, Joey.
Quite sad honestly
Yes o. It is
Lol, a whole lot of things have to be redefined generally not just in the fashion world.
Honestly. This is just one out of many other issues. Thank you, Tiara.
I like this website very much, Its a very nice office to read and incur information.
Thanks so much for the blog post.