Clothing Size Access and Body Image: a cross-sectional study

Lack of access to appropriate clothing sizes can negatively impact body image and self-esteem. This study aimed to assess the relationship between clothing access, body image, and self-esteem. 443 participants (42 male) completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, a clothing access scale, the Body Appreciation Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Eating Attitudes Test, and the Body Esteem Questionnaire. Data analysis focused on women without eating disorder risk, with comparisons made between those at risk of eating disor-ders and between men and women using a matched sub-sample (in BMI, age, and size). Sig-nificant correlations between all variables were found for women, and a regression model indicated that body esteem was a significant predictor, while general self-esteem was not. Those aware of the new Size Law (58%) reported lower clothing access and higher BMI. Women at risk for eating disorders (N=68) had lower body appreciation and both general and body self-esteem. Gender differences revealed that men had higher values for all meas-ured variables. The findings suggest that the lack of clothing size access and the associated societal beauty ideals contribute to body image issues, particularly for women. This study underscores the need to address size discrimination within the fashion industry and high-lights the importance of implementing the Size Law to promote inclusion and gender equity.