Size really does matter

Yippee. Hurrah. Woo hoo. It's a very good day. So what could be so exciting you ask? Well, I've bought opaque tights today. Not much of a reason to be so perky, I know, except for one very important fact.

And that fact is this - I've bought them in MEDIUM, not large. Now this is indeed a big deal as it means, rather wonderfully, that my bum has got smaller! Said backside has necessitated extra large tights in the past (I've vowed never again) and has now worked its way down from large to medium. Whoopeee!

I know, I know, in the scheme of things it's hardly earth shattering but women everywhere who have ever worried about, or battled with, their weight will understand my delight and why it's cause for celebration. Call me shallow but it's put a smile on my face, made me walk taller (which is something when you're only 5ft 3ins tall) and made me feel so much better about myself.

It's mad isn't it that the number printed on the inside labels of our clothes can make such a difference to how we feel about ourselves, that getting tights in medium rather than large can have such an impact on a woman's self-esteem? I've watched a friend try on an outfit and look gorgeous in it but refuse to buy it, saying 'there's no way I can get it, it's a (voice dropping to a whisper) large.'

I've read all those 'how to find clothes that will make you look amazing' articles that blithely pontificate that the answer to great dressing is not to pay any attention to the size but to go on the fit and how the outfit looks. 'Ignore the label, don't worry if it's a size bigger than you'd normally buy, it really doesn't matter what the number on the label says', they advise.

Hmmm....That may well make sense but, come on, it's not going to happen, is it? I don't think I know a single woman who'd be happy turning to the sales assistant and saying 'you know what, I think I'll try it in a bigger size.'

Because it blooming well does matter. That little number can make all the difference between a woman feeling wonderful about herself or like a heffalump. I wish it didn't, but it does.

A friend of mine lost a lot of weight and was feeling fabulous. She went into a fashion store she'd never have been brave enough to go in when she was heavier and tried on a knitted dress. In the changing room her spirits began to plummet when she struggled to get it on. She knew it should fit as it was her new, slim-line size but no matter what she did she just couldn't get her head through the opening. By now all her newfound confidence was seeping away - until she realised she was trying to get her head down a sleeve.

Too often, we women beat ourselves up about how we look, what we weigh and probably set ourselves unachievable targets. I know I will never be a size 10 but, you know what, I really don't care because today - I bought tights in medium and that's good enough for me.