It's Not Fair

Ladies, we've known for a long time that we're not treated fairly in so very many ways. Today I want to rant a bit about clothing. Now anyone who has shopped for a man knows that it's unbelievably easy. Shirts: S-M-L or collar and sleeve size in inches. Pants: waist and inseam. Suits: a number and a letter, like 46R. It doesn't matter where you're shopping, or what you're shopping for--suits or jeans, Tee shirts or button-downs, if you know those basic numbers, you're good to go. I've returned things I bought for my husband because he didn't like it, or I didn't like it once I saw it on him, but never because it didn't fit. Never. And I have a l-o-n-g history of shopping for that man. But there is an evil mind out there, or more likely a slew of them, having a great time dreaming up endless sizes and randomly attaching them to women's clothing. Once upon a time, I was able to find a manufacturer or line that suited my style, learn what size I needed, then shop easily. I could pick items off the rack and take them home, knowing that they would fit. Usually. It was a bit of a headache keeping track of my size for each store or designer, but it was doable. As far as I'm concerned, things have hit an all-time low. The pinnacle of absurdity. I have several pairs of pants and shirts from a certain manufacturer. It's not super-expensive, but it's a good brand. I pick up these items when I see something that appeals to me. It's often one or two pieces at a time. I know what I like so the tops and pants always mix and match. I must have been working on auto-pilot for a while. I don't know how I never noticed before, but I was sorting through my closet the other day when it hit me that the pants are four sizes smaller than the shirts. Four! There is nothing about my shape that accounts for this. And there is absolutely no excuse for it. None whatsoever. This is worse than unfair--it's downright ridiculous.