Size zero: History and Key Facts

Size zero or size 0 is a women's clothing size in the US catalog sizes system. Size 0 and 00 were established due to enlarged body sizes and the subsequent assignment of lower measurement numbers for clothing sizes over time (referred to as vanity sizing or size inflation). For example, a 2011 size 0 is equivalent to a 2001 size 2, and is larger than a 1970 size 6 or 1958 size 8. Despite their higher numbers, these past equivalents were still the smallest available sizes at the time. Modern size 0 clothing, depending on brand and style, fits measurements of chest-stomach-hips from 30-22-32 inches (76-56-81 cm) to 33-25-35 inches (84-64-89 cm). Size 00 can be anywhere from 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) smaller than size 0. The term size zero can refer to thin people (especially women and adolescent girls), or trends associated with them.

Source and attribution

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