An XS guy in an XL city

When it comes to fashion, I always wish I were 10-cm taller. In Bangkok, I didn't have much trouble finding clothes that perfectly fitted me. But here in Madrid, my fashion life gets tougher and going shopping isn't a great fun anymore.

"Shopping" in my vocabulary also includes going from rack to rack in hope of finding the appropriate XS size that will hopefully fit my body.

I know that the europeans have bigger stature than the asians. But I fail to understand why most shops are totally flooded with XL and XXL. And this fact automatically erases me from the ideal customer list.

As an XS guy, I should theoretically avoid buying off the rack. However, this is practically impossible, especially when living in an XL city like Madrid. Going to the tailor is off the list; too luxurious a choice. So, what's left to be done? Here are some tips that worked for me and you might be interested in :)

First - Keep up with any change each season. When the new collection comes out, go immediately and find your targets before the others do.

Second - If that doesn't work, especially in discount season, the preparation and survey must be made a lot earlier. Lingering on other issues is a complete waste of time in such critical moment and may makes the mission impossible; all of the XS will magically disappear from the racks ON THE FIRST DAY (And, ironically, that's when you realise that you aren't the ONLY XS in the city!!!)

Third - Since the small size is proportionately minimum in most shops, going to bigger stores or busier shops is also a solution. There are more choices and, therefore, more XS. Going to less frequented shops in some deserted areas doesn't always guarantee the availability.

Four - When the hope seems thin, just put the priority first on the size and then the design. This option, for someone who takes fashion so seriously, equals suicide. But as for the XS minority, do we have other choice?

Five - When one of your feet have already crossed the threshold of desperation, go to the Kid's section, there you will find something that miraculously fits you. Watch out for a Mickey Mouse patch on the back of the shirt. If it perfectly fits you but with Pokemon smiling on the sleeves, leave it right then and there. You'd better look shabby than ridiculous.

Six - If all of these tips fail to get you a good set of clothes, go home and wait till the next season. Don't try to buy any M or L with a thought that they might fit you because they won't! You'll end up looking at your wardrobe with regrets, wondering how those clothes have made their way in.

Additionally, when I buy a pair of jeans, I have to bear in mind that some extra money will fly off my purse for the fixing. They're ALWAYS few inches too long. I can't do anything but pay the money and curse myself for being too short (and too thin).

Physically pumping myself up is also a solution, a long-term one. But since I'm not energetic enough at the moment, the choice is ruled out.

Till I find a long-lasted solution, my XS fashion pilgrimage in this XL city will go on.