Cutting out size tags

[melonpan]

Why do people do this?
Was just reading a review for a hoodie and a couple of them remarked that the item fitted a bit snug so went up a size "but it's ok as I cut the tag off!"

Do people fear others seeing the garment at such close range they'd check the size tag? Who would care? Or is it about not wishing to see it oneself? But how can this even mean anything in a world where clothes sizing is pretty random and all over the place?
I recall hearing something along these lines when I was younger, early 2000's perhaps and it has only just occurred to me how strange it is. I don't even think we can rely on a particular size anymore as they change from store to store.

Have you ever done it, and if so, why? Does it change anything in your perception of self?
I've certainly done it if the tag scratches my neck

I cut all my tags off as I hate the feeling of them!

Yes. I'm size 8-10 and I cut the size tags out because my size is private and I don't want it visible to people, in a cardigan or whatever.

i see what you mean, but they are usually tiny. I cant imagine anyone peering at it.
Sometimes if i remove a tag because it scratched the sawn off bit makes it worse! Or worse, I manage to put a hole in the neck!

My mother used to cut the tags of mine when they were going through the wash, in case I caught sight of the size and got upset. This would have been in my late teens and twenties, and I have never once been upset by seeing the size on my clothes - I'm not stupid, I know what size I am! What actually hurt was that she felt it was necessary.

I'm and I have to cut off all tags, not just simply cutting them off, I have to make sure the stitches are cut so the whole thing comes off. I have very sensitive skin and I can feel them otherwise and it's very irritating. Im a size 6 so nothing to do with hiding my size

I cut them off all underwear as it can be irritating.

I use one of those stitch rippers on the clothes, so less chance of damage.

Why are labels always made from the nastiest scratchiest material?

Everyone can see someone's size just by looking at them. I don't understand what's so private about my jeans saying 25/30 or my t-shirt saying 10.

What do people do about socks or shoes that have the size on the bottom?

I can understand cutting them off for comfort, just not to hide the size.

I gained a stone during lockdown but was all too aware of it. Fitting into a 6 wouldn't have made a difference. I would have thought it was a large 6!

Most of my labels are as small as a postage stamp, I need my glasses to check the size so nobody else is going to see it draped over a chair from over 2 ft away.

a blow torch.

Everyone can see someone's size just by looking at them. I don't understand what's so private about my jeans saying 25/30 or my t-shirt saying 10.

You're quite right. I know it's ridiculous. I didn't say it was rational at all. People can probably guess my size, but I don't like it visible all the same.

I don't care about my foot size!

It sounds sillier reading back. I can't explain why I do it really. The chances of someone being able to read it, or attempting to, must be minuscule.

But it’s not visible. The clothing tag is inside your clothes.

And nobody cares. I don’t mean that unkindly. I just mean - really, nobody is even vaguely interested!

That's why I specifically mentioned a cardigan. Something I might take off or put over a chair. Coats similarly.

I only do it with my shoes, if I get rid of the tag no one will know I have small feet.
Oh, no wait..

(No idea, it's bloody weird)

I cut them for comfort but never for sizing. I gained one size since the first lockdown, and believe me, it’s obvious.
I’m surprised that people do this because the sizing is very different in different places but it’s up to them.

A coat you might buy big anyway, a cardigan might be a size 12 from a charity shop that you loved, neither may be your 'size' at all.

Because I can't stop getting fatter and fatter and I'm ashamed.

I’m genuinely not meaning to be snarky, but if you’re a size 6 then you probably won’t understand why someone would do this.

@rocketfromthecrypt

Thats just made me cry. I’m so sorry you feel like that, your worth is not measured by your size.

I cut all my tags off because my mother has an obsession with dieting and woudl severely resteict my eating when I was a child. When she comes to visit (despite the fact I am 50) she goes through my drawers and my wardrobe and looks at the size and then tuts.

Before she is due to visit I go through literally everything and unpick it.

I have also learned that I need to go through my dirty clothes hamper as she will go into that otherwise.

You will be unsurprised I am sure to learn that I have eating disorders. (Currently 'just' binge eating disorder. Formerly anorexia and bulimia).

Why did you feel the need to tell the thread what size you wear if it's private?

@Fairyliz thank you. It makes me cry too!

I think this is a case of if you have to ask the question, you won't understand the answer.

Of course I know what size I am, I just feel like a heap of shit when I'm reminded of it.

I cut a lot of tags out of my clothes because they're bloody irritating. I also cut tags out of my children's clothes until they're old enough to tell me that they're uncomfortable.

Nothing to do with being ashamed of how fat I am.