Dear Diary

And This Time it's National…..

by Retro Chick
January 20, 2011
16 Comments
1 minute read
64 Views
14 years ago

Sorry for the late post today.

I’m sure you somehow managed to get through the morning without me.

I’m going to pick the winners of the What Katie Did Besame lipstick giveaway this afternoon and I’ll announce them all tomorrow.

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you’ll probably know that I was on Woman’s Hour this morning talking about Vanity Sizing. I didn’t announce it in advance as frankly I was nervous and didn’t want to think about lots of people listening, but in case you missed it you can listen again on the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour page where they’ve helpfully chopped it down to just that segment.

I didn’t really get chance to put my point across as well as I’d hoped due to lack of time, so if you still haven’t read it then my original piece on vanity sizing is here with all the facts and figures! I’m also increasingly annoyed now I’ve left the studio at the final suggestion that really we’re all just too emotional about buying clothes.

Silly hysterical women that we are.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my croaky post-cold voice. Here’s some glamorous pictures of the studio at BBC Lancashire where I went for the interview.

- by: Shannon
- 14 years ago
Well, in terms of the guy being patronizing, he shouldn’t be talking. Apparently, even men’s clothes have some vanity sizing! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/08/vanity-sizing-mens-pants_n_709004.html And men’s pants don’t even use vague sizes like 6, 8, or 10. Men’s labels are supposed to show the actual waist circumference, so that’s almost more insulting.
- by: Ms Wanda
- 14 years ago
Brilliant. Such an interesting topic too. Xx
- by: Elizabeth@rosalilium
- 14 years ago
I haven’t listened yet, but well done you!

Oh, and I love that orange telephone. 😉
- by: Lady K Loves
- 14 years ago
I thought you did a fantastic job, but felt like the segment was weighted in the guy’s favour. I don’t think it’s emotional to be frustrated and demoralised by finding different sizes fit you not only across different shops (such as Topshop, H & M, New Look ect.) with a similar customer base (not age groups as he suggested), but within the same shop! I don’t think some kind of consistency is too much to ask.
- by: Style Eyes
- 14 years ago
well done to you, a shame that you didn’t feel you got the message across, but sounds like he just didn’t want to listen.
- by: Laura Connell
- 14 years ago
Vanity sizing (as you know) isn’t about having emotions around buying clothing. It’s about the outrageous notion of telling women the number on the size tag has something to do with their worth. Men can’t understand what a big issue it is because their sizing is actually related to their true measurements not some pie in the sky random number that changes from designer to designer and era to era.
- by: Lady Cherry
- 14 years ago
I didn’t hear it, will check it out now. How patronising. I hate patronising people.

There is a really patronising article in ‘The Stylist’ this week about how women all just want life to be easier so more and more are opting to stay at home, what a pity men don’t have that option. Written by a woman as well…! I might blog about it, but not sure how many people grab the stylist at stations to know what I am on about!!
- by: Perdita
- 14 years ago
Oooh, how exciting. Darn I missed it. My office-buddy always has R4 on but I had to go and support some youngsters just when it was on!! Poopies! (Not that I resent supporting the kiddies, just that I missed your slot).

I did one of those ‘male/female’ brain surveys when I was taking marriage lessons (like the good cat’lic I am). Some of the attitudes expressed were rather hilarious, but your comment reminded me of the summary for the men: never, ever do the ‘silly hysterical woman’ thing: if anything, statistics demonstrate that women are more stoic and thoughtful than men 9I know, stats can mean ANYTHING, but still…).

I’m worried about listening to the end now. The comment might get my dander up and discombolulate me!
- by: Fiona Culshaw
- 14 years ago
oh I missed it but I will listen later, I’m pooped right now, working for other people is weird and tiring!
- by: Helen
- 14 years ago
(people telling me he was actually Canadian in 3, 2, 1…)
- - by: Retro Chick
  - 14 years ago
  No, he was definitely American!
  - by: Helen
    
    14 years ago
    
    Phew!
- by: MissMatilda
- 14 years ago
Kistening now and I love it! Bravo!
- by: Helen
- 14 years ago
Patronising American guy: GTFO. As they say.
- by: LandGirl1980
- 14 years ago
Looks like you are in the War Rooms with that headset on! You have seen my comments on Facbook -so I won’t witter on – but will say again that I think you did a incredibly professional job (and I had people in my office listening and they agreed so it must be true!!)
- - by: Retro Chick
  - 14 years ago
  I think it’s probably even less glamorous than the war rooms in that studio.
  
  I was in a tiny little room all on my own with a big light that said ON AIR!