Without question, clothing sizes have become smaller and more inconsistent over the last several years. In high school, I wore a size 6 or 8. Fifteen years later (and fifteen pounds heavier), I'm wearing size 2 - or even zero.

There are huge size discrepancies among retailers, especially if they target different age groups. In stores like Ann Taylor that cater to women over 30, a size zero might even be too big. However, in stores for the younger crowd (i.e. Guess, BCBG), I fit a 2 or 4 - but that's still "smaller" than what I wore as a scrawny teenager.

RIGHT: I'm looking at a size 8 camouflage skirt from my closet, and wearing a girls' size 16 camouflage skirt (also from my closet). (Photo: Laurie Swope, Boston Globe)

Sizes even vary within in the same clothing line. I many different "sizes" of Levi's that actually fit similarly. I feel that sizes are completely arbitrary, because my wardrobe contains every size between 0 and 12. Size just doesn't mean anything anymore.

I think the shrinking size trend already went too far with the size zero - and with some people, it's completely gone to their heads.

I used to shop occasionally with a rather petite co-worker, and at every store she would announce "I'm a SIZE ZERO, so they better have SIZE ZERO or I can't wear anything in this store, because I can only wear it if it's SIZE ZERO." If there was nothing in a size zero, she might even leave without trying anything on - but not before everyone in the store knew her size (ZERO).

If she actually found size zero, she would ask a salesperson, "Is REALLY size zero, or just petite? Because I'm not petite, I'm a SIZE ZERO. Can you help me find something in SIZE ZERO?" Then, she would ask every salesperson to assist in finding the appropriate size (zero).

If she actually tried on the size zero item(s), she would tell other shoppers how accurate she thought the sizing was. "The sizes are all wrong here. These pants are size two, but I'm really a SIZE ZERO. So you should try a bigger size than what you normally wear."

I don't work with this person anymore, let alone shop with her - but I'm pretty sure she's now a DOUBLE ZERO.

Wendy Chao