# Does One Size Fit All?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-size-fit-all/281155>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 22, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-size-fit-all/281155 "2004-12-22T14:44:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-size-fit-all/281155/1 "2004-12-22T14:44:22Z")

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Hell, No!! When I was a youngster I never thought I’d ever be saying “In the old days things were better…” But now I know that some things were. The idea that 'one size fits all" is a good example of this. Years ago when I bought a pair of men’s socks I could buy the exact size I wanted: 7, 9, 10 1/2, 12, whatever. Now I have to buy a generic size e.g. “one size fits shoe size 8 - 12.” That is ridiculous. Does anyone know of any chain store with branches in the Washington, D.C. area that still sells men’s socks by size?

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-size-fit-all/281155/2 "2004-12-22T15:06:32Z")

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Socks are stretchy, so they can get away with “one size fits 7-12,” sorta. If you wear a 12, they’re probably a little snug. Note also that sock sizes are smaller than shoe sizes. If your feet are 13s like mine, get a JCPenney big&tall catalog. Fits-all goods are here to stay, so get used to it.