One’s eyes are drawn to a product’s size after its design, colour, and quality while shopping. Rationally, one selects or rejects the product by the availability of its size. While browsing the sizes, two of the sizes draw our attention, Free size and One size.
We often get perplexed about choosing between these two sizes because we cannot differentiate between them. Let us understand them in detail.
Free Size vs One Size
The difference between Free size and One size is that rather than being a size, Free size refers to clothing that is loose, stretchy, or flowy. It can fit anyone. On the other hand, One size is a size that implies that a particular product is available only in the given size; it cannot be alternated or adjusted according to our size.
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Free size is the style of apparel. It does not imply the “size”; it suggests the “style”. This size can fit anyone as the typical qualities include loose, flowy or stretchy.
Since the size isn’t measured strictly, anyone can fit into this size. One can find this size notably in clothes.
One size is the size that signifies that a particular product is available only in the given size. No other size is a substitute for that product. One cannot customise this size as per our needs.
It means that every product is available in the same size. One can find One size in any clothing material and daily use products.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Free Size | One Size |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | It refers to clothing that is loose, stretchy, or flowy. | It signifies that a particular product is available only in the given size. |
| Fitting | It can fit all. | It may not fit everyone. |
| Found in | Clothes | Clothes and daily use objects |
| Type | It is a style. | It is size. |
| Alteration | There’s no need for alteration as it fits everyone well. | There’s no scope for alteration. |
| Examples | gowns, capes, kaftans | jewellery, phone covers of a particular model, electronics of a specific brand, rubber bands, sarees |
What is Free Size?
Free size is not a size. It is mainly a style of clothing that can fit all the people irrespective of different bodies. It is a flowy, stretchy and loose piece of clothing.
A wide range of consumers can enjoy its benefits since its size is not strictly measured. One does not need to alter this clothing style because it fits anyone comfortably.
The main disadvantage of Free size is that many substitutes aren’t available in different designs. Wholesalers or retailers don’t have much stock in Free size.
The second drawback of Free size cloth is that they may not fit identically with everyone. For example, they will be less flowing on healthier people and lose on thin people.
Many people report that Free size clothes shrink after washing, but that is not true. It depends on the material of the clothing or apparel due to which it shrinks.
Sometimes it also depends on the washing detergent used. Some examples of Free size are gowns, scarves, capes, kaftans etc.
In a nutshell, Free size is a general size in clothing. One can buy it and still fit into it two or three years down the line when the body shapes changes.
What is One Size?
One size is a size that signifies that a particular product is available only in the given size. One cannot make changes in the size of the product according to their body size.
One cannot find any other size substitute in the same product. One cannot customise this size as per our needs.
It means that every product is available in the same size. One can find One size in any clothing material and daily use products. One size may or may not fit as per a person’s requirements.
Due to the fixed or constraint size of any article having One size, a customer has limited choices. A person rejects the product if its size is not made for him, even if he likes its design or colour.
Let us understand One size with some examples for better understanding.
Many ladies wear Indian clothing – Saree, but it is available only in One size. Therefore tall ladies cannot wear these as they have fixed lengths hence they aren’t suitable for them.
Mobile covers of ABC company cannot fit the phones of XYZ company because they have different structures and come only in One size. Some jewellery items like rings come in One size; hence they cannot be adjusted according to a person’s finger’s thickness.
In short, one can choose or not choose One size as per his needs. A lot of factors contribute to a person’s decision.
Main Differences Between Free Size and One Size
- Free size is not a size, but it is a cloth’s style, whereas One size is a size. Generally, free size clothes are flowy, loose, and stretchy. One size is a size that shows that a product is available only in a particular size.
- Free size can fit everyone because of its design. On the other hand, One size may or may not suit everyone because of size constraints.
- One can find Free size mostly in clothing, whereas One size is available in clothes and various objects.
- Free size doesn’t need amendment as it fits everyone. On the flip side, One size doesn’t have scope for alteration due to its fixed measurements.
- Examples of Free size are capes, scarves, gowns, kaftans etc. One size examples include sarees, mobile covers, rubber bands etc.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Uzx6ZmBz7UAC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=free+size+and+one+size+in+clothing&ots=DUvFRPNdnk&sig=iJuopPlR8d6vWo4xF-WjwzK99L0
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea-Ehrmann/publication/321443158_Size_Translator_-_the_solution_for_garment_size_problems/links/5a21b6080f7e9b71dd0346b1/Size-Translator-the-solution-for-garment-size-problems.pdf
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
