Have you noticed how men’s clothing sizes have completely changed? Over the summer, I went to Lord & Taylor to buy a bathrobe.
By John A. Schwarz
Have you noticed how men’s clothing sizes have completely changed? Over the summer, I went to Lord & Taylor to buy a bathrobe. I tried on a “large.” I’m 6’2” and weigh 190 pounds and always wear either a large or an extra large. Think back to those photographs years ago of officers in the Soviet Union Army in overcoats, which went all the way down to their ankles. That’s what I looked like in the men’s department of Lord & Taylor. I was hoping, since I felt like a fool, that, at the very least, I looked like a very senior Field Marshall in the Red Army to other customers and the sales people.
My wife Anita finally found a “medium” in another store for me. I obviously thought this was a Lord & Taylor aberration. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I ordered some pajamas a few weeks ago from LL Bean. You can see that I’m seriously into replenishing my nightwear. The last time I went on a buying spree, the New York Mets were in the World Series, and you know how often that happens. The Bean pajamas in size “large” arrived. I tried them on. I couldn’t find my hands. Then I searched for my feet, which also were hidden. These pajamas would have been perfect for someone 6’8’ and 240 pounds. I naturally sent them back and got mediums, which I’ll keep, but I’ll have to have both the legs and sleeves shortened.
What is going on here? It’s got me wondering what size men of average height must have to order these days. My best guess is a boys’ “small.”
