The Problem With Being a Size 0 Woman

There are quite a few problems, actually, with being a size zero. But for time's sake, I'll just focus on one for today. It's not a problem that all size 0s (or other small sizes) face, but it's common enough and one that is making me increasingly frustrated. Being a size 0 in womens' (sometimes 00 in my case) usually confines a gal to the juniors department. While it's not the worst thing in the world, it can certainly seem like it when one's personal sense of fashion doesn't jive with the market. I prefer more ladylike clothing, more sophisticated fabrics, and classic tailoring. I'm growing very tired of the seemingly blatant push towards sheer fabrics, immodest cuts, baggy/shapeless dresses, and bum-skimming bottoms. While I do not judge anyone else for what they wear, I'm saddened that most of the clothes I would like to wear are only offered in the womens' departments many sizes larger than what fits me. I've walked out of places like The Limited, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, etc. not being able to fit a single thing in their smallest size. Though to be fair, most womens sizes only go down to a 4, 2 at the absolute most.

I ran across this lovely dress from Talbots in a Google search (know as the "Bardot Dress" in case anyone's interested)...

Amanda Beth Online 

Although I normally would not have chosen a denim-esque piece for myself, I had to cock my head and think for a second - the denim-esque linen would be breathable enough for summer, but appropriate for cooler weather. It's casual, but formal, but casual, but fo......I'm getting it. And off I went a-searchin'! Keeping in mind the rant I just gave in the first paragraph, you would think I would know better considering that Talbots' runs only in womens' sizes. And for some reason it also didn't cross my mind that the models might be clipped into the dress (or that the models are nearer to 6ft. tall than I and might actually be a true size 2).

But, in a rare Ebay victory, I managed to score this lovely dress for $20 (normal retail price ran $160). The smallest size Talbots runs down to is a 2, so I thought perhaps it would fit or at least close to it. Unfortunately when I tried it on, it hung like a sack.

Yep, I'm even smaller under there (by a good three inches or so).
I tried adding a belt and that helped a bunch, but it's still fairly loose on me. However, I'm not going to let this versatile dress go to waste. Alterations are in store.