How our editor Ninja enters the world of bikini sizes and gets to know herself in a whole new way.
I've been working at INASKA since the end of June. And I learned something in the very first week: when I tried on the new MOVE top in size M, I noticed that I found the underbust band quite tight. I was frustrated that the M didn't fit me. “What size is your underbust?” INASKA designer Rebecca asked me. Um, no idea? I also wear a M in the Chill and Free models, and I've also worn a S. I always buy bras in size 75B, wear them in the last hook and sometimes wonder why they are so tight. But the size?
How to measure correctly
Who really takes the time to honestly measure their body with today's beauty standards? In fact, very few women who buy a bikini know their body measurements. So what do we do? We estimate. And since we humans are not the strongest when it comes to self-perception, we occasionally order things that don't fit us and then get annoyed with the manufacturers.
“Maybe your size is exactly between M and L,” says INASKA Managing Director Elisa.
Gasp. Between M and L, is that still possible? More likely between M and S! Then I'll just measure my underbust, I'm sure it will come out to 75 cm, just like my bra size. Rebecca shows me how to do it. In the end it's 82 centimeters. As my cup varies between B and C, I'm exactly on the border between M and L, just like Elisa said. Now I don't know whether I should be frustrated because I thought I was much smaller or satisfied because I now know where the problem was: with me.
A topsy-turvy world
We identify far too much with body size because of society. Unfortunately, this does not always focus on diversity, but conveys, especially on the internet, that a life with a slim appearance is the only way for us girls. We find it irrational that twelve zodiac signs should explain the character traits of all people, but take it for granted that all body shapes can be depicted with the three letters S, M and L and a limited number of Xs in front of them. And if we don't fit into the intended size, we have a crisis of meaning and feel that we are losing our attractiveness. But this ideal of beauty has to stop. You are not your size! In our movement, we focus on self-love. The sizes on a label can only ever be an approximation of a person's body shape. There are so many different body shapes, different fits, depending on the manufacturer or even the type of product. There is no room for discrimination.
Honest is more sustainable
We want to act sustainably and often find this difficult. One of the easiest things to do when ordering online is to pay attention to the actual measurements. Fewer deliveries are required, we are happier because the items fit. You can find our size chart for the different INASKA products here: Size Chart Shop.
