With dozens of social media platforms and a constant spotlight on celebrities and fashion icons as well as our own social media pages, there is an intense pressure placed on both men and women to look good. Unfortunately, the fashion industry has quite the reputation of making consumers feel that the only way for them to look "good" is to look skinny and wear small clothing sizes. There are certainly people who are just naturally more petite or skinny than others and who should be wearing smaller clothing, and that is perfectly fine! However, there are also plenty of other people with naturally larger waists, hips, etc., that certainly can’t fit into the smallest sizes of clothing. There is nothing faulty about either of these body types.

As I'll be going back to school soon, I have been making some trips to the mall to update my summer and fall wardrobe. In one particular store, I purchased one shirt in a small size, another shirt in a medium size and one more completely different shirt in a large size. Did I gain or lose 15 pounds and five inches walking from one side of the store to the other? I really don't think so. Yet, each shirt fit me.

This little experience taught me that you should always try something on before you buy it to be sure, but it also taught me a much greater lesson. The little letter or number marking the size of your clothing on a flimsy tag really does not matter. The size doesn't tell you how wonderfully the blue tank top accentuates your eyes. It doesn't tell you how well you are totally rocking those jeans. It definitely doesn't tell you how beautiful your smile is to the other customers in the store, and to your friends when you tell them a funny store about your shopping trip later on.

So, what does it tell you? It tells you that the fashion industry has established a sizing system for the purpose of creating clothing (which is OK), but that no size on that system should be viewed as more important or sexier than another. It tells you that the size is entirely meant to function as a basis for what clothing will fit you best. It does not mean you are too fat or too skinny for not fitting in one size over the other. It does not mean anyone who wears something over size 12 is obese, just as it does not mean anyone who wears something under size four has an eating disorder or health problem. Each and every body on this planet is entirely unique and we should embrace that! It's what makes us special and makes each and every one of us beautiful. So, let’s stop the size-shaming and do our best to love our bodies and ourselves.