For The Ultra-Petite: J.Crew Introduces Size 000

J.Crew’s recently introduced size 000 or XXXS pants are dividing the industry — and not into The Have-23-Inch Waists and The Have Nots. Bloggers chalked up the new measurements to vanity sizing, while marketing experts praised the move for expanding shoppers’ options.

And, that’s what J.Crew had in mind. A spokeswoman told Today.com, “We are simply addressing the demand coming from Asia for smaller sizes than what we had carried. Our sizes typically run big and the Asia market tends to run small… To further put into perspective, these sizes add up to the smallest possible percentage of our overall sizing assortment.” She noted the brand aims to “accommodate as many customers as possible… [It's] all based on customer demand.”

Gigi Ganatra Duff, vice president of public relations and communications at HSN Inc., agreed, saying to ABC News, “The real marketing win is not in the size number but the number of sizes.” Plus, Jennifer Black, CEO and president of research company Jennifer Black & Associates, remarked, “What stocks out first when an item is hot are sizes 0 to 4.” Still, Belle at Capitol Hill Style says, “I won’t support J.Crew’s decision to expand their sizing downward, because it feeds into the notion that clothing size is a scarlet letter.” Or, “number,” if you don’t subscribe to alpha sizing.