I Love Lucy Episode, and Today's Vanity Sizing

handygal2 · ‎01-19-2015

I was just watching a hilarious episode of I Love Lucy (actually, they're ALL hilarious, IMO). It's Season 1, Episode 3: "The Diet," and aired way back in 1951.

Desi needs a last-minute replacement dancer, for the lead part dancing with him in his show. The costume of the woman she is replacing is a size 12. Lucy wants the part, but in order to fit into the costume, she needs to lose 12 pounds in less than a week. She starves herself, and exercises into oblivion, and she reaches her goal of 120 pounds. And she dances in the show...

So, back in the day, if you were 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed 120 pounds, you wore a size 12?? And a size 12 was a dancer's size?? Talk about EXTREME vanity sizing going on today!! I think now that would be a size 6!!

Personally, l don't care what size it says on the tags of my clothing, as long as they fit well and are flattering.

~~Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes the 'm' is silent.~~

software · ‎06-08-2016

When I got married in my 20s, back in the 1970s, I was probably right under 120# and was 5'7" and wore size 10. After my first child, I went to size 12.

Miss those days!

But I agree with you, when I buy at retail, I take several sizes into the dressing room with me. Partly because my middle has spread but from the waist up, I'm still about the same I was back in the day (bust, shoulders & arms)

Lucille Ball was a dancer early in her career. I always thought she was so beautiful, who knew she was so funny too.

@handygal2

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

I have a 1950s body in a 2010s world. Oh well.

Peaches McPhee · ‎04-19-2010

Sizing drives me insane. I never know what size I am. It's just so random.

-- pro-aging --

Rochester, New York

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

When I was young and thin I wore a perfect size 12 all the time - without fail.But when I went to buy my wedding dress it was a size 6 - fit perfectly - go figure.

threecees · ‎09-22-2017

I love watching Lucy in the morning.

Some episodes I am sure that I've seen but can't remember all of them.

Don't forget how they made Ethel seem so much bigger than Lucy.

Maybe only by a few pounds, but all the fat jokes from Fred too.

fourpaws56 · ‎03-04-2015

Thank you OP for the post..I watch Lucy in the wee hours when I can't sleep, they are classics! They are all funny , I loved the Paris episode where Lucy and Ethyl are wearing burlap!

Image result for Lucy and Ethel wearing burlap gifs