Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Full-Body Security Scanner...in a MALL

Has anybody seen any of these things at their local malls?


Yeah, they're basically full-body security scanners. You know, the ones they use in airports? Only these, called "Me-Ality", aren't used for security measures: they tell you what size and what clothing brands will fit you the best.

I saw this at the Watertower Place mall in Chicago, and I knew I needed to try it out. Plus, it was free, and I'm all about anything free.

You go inside, wait for the camera to swivel around you a few times, and then step out to receive a printout with your results. Here are mine:


I was shocked by the results. How am I a size 0 in jeans for one brand, and a size 5 for another? This really showed me how vanity sizing works and why it is so difficult to go shopping for jeans! The results from the printout only include stores and brands from that particular mall, but then via email you receive access to a website that will take all brands into consideration.

The other person who was with me didn't want to try Me-Ality out. I think she thought that seeing what sizes fit her best would make her feel self-conscious about her body. Me-Ality did the opposite for me: it made me feel more secure, seeing how your size doesn't really matter: it varies from store to store! We shouldn't let clothing companies define our body images with little numbers--we have to be the ones to define our body images and be proud of them!

If Me-Ality came to your local malls, would you try it out?

25 comments:

  1. That is so cool!! I hope we get them in New Zealand. It's good to know what size you are in different brands, would save lots of time!

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    1. I think you'll get them abroad soon. They've been featured all over our TVs on talk shows and such, so maybe they'll make their way overseas pretty soon! And though I haven't used the suggestions the printout told me, I'm sure if I did it would save me a lot of time.

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  2. Hellloooooo! HAppy weekend! Stopping by from Comment Love on iblog4me! I'm your newest follower. Judging from your favorite brands and your other info on your page ... I think we will get along just fine! ;D

    I've never seen this contraption before [but I live in FL and we are always behind on the times! Lol] but what a neat thing. I would totally try this and use it. I HATE TRYING ON JEANS. They are the worst thing, in my opinion, to try on at a store. I try to "guess" my size and then end up home and disappointed. Blah. Neat idea though.

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    1. Yay thanks for stopping by! I'm now following you back :) Can't wait to read more of your blog!

      I'm surprised these haven't made it to Florida yet...maybe they're only in big cities? When it does make it down there, you definitely have to try it! I'm honestly not much of a shopper--I HATE having to try on different sizes of clothing, and I do the same thing as you, guessing my size to get out of trying an item on. So this machine was like a dream come true for me!

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  3. We have one of these in our mall, but I was never quite sure what it did. I am going to have to try it now!

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    1. You should try it out! They're a bit strange, and they make you feel like you're in a sci-fi movie, but they're pretty cool.

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  4. This is so cool! I hate vanity sizing, because it means you can almost never shop online. Plus, it makes people think they are smaller than they are, which can be bad when it comes to exercising and feeling the need to do so. You should be confident in your body, because sizes are way off, but at the same time, you should know if you are healthy or not.

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    1. I never shop on line for that reason! I never know what size I am. My sister thinks she's smaller than she really is because she wears a different brand of jeans than I do...in reality, she's the same size as I am! Ugh.

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  5. Wow that's really opened my eyes to vanity sizing. Here's hoping they get these in uk shopping centres soon!

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    1. I don't know how bad vanity sizing is in the UK, but it seems to be pretty bad here :( Hope these go to the UK soon too!

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  6. I think I would be temped to try this out,then go to the shop that said I was smaller lol :)

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    1. I really wanted to go to the shop that said I was smaller, but I didn't have time. I wanted to see if those jeans really fit me or not!

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  8. I would like to try it out...after I know about side effects if any, lol! Following you back from the weekend hop, have a great week.

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    1. Yeah I didn't think of the side effects either...they probably just poisoned me with radiation or something, lol. Thanks for the follow back :)

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  9. LOL!! Definitely not!!!! I prefer trying clothes on and seeing myself in the mirror to decide what clothes suit me best, seriously!!! Talking about jeans, I used to hate it but lately it seemed like I have less problems finding jeans that suit me. That although my tummy is much more puffy than I want it to be (no, not pregnant, just too much Coke and sweets!). Weird.
    I can't hide my curiosity. What's pre-med, other than the meds we give to patients before a procedure??? Over here we have med school and whatever comes before it is something else. But I don't think I'll ever understand the American school & education system, ever.

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    1. I'm experiencing that "puffy tummy" problem too, haha. I blame it on the summer and all the cookouts/barbecues. Honestly, I prefer trying clothes on myself too. There's no way I'm just buying the jeans the printout told me--I don't care what they say, I'm NOT a size zero!

      And I never knew that some people didn't know what premed was! I should probably explain that somewhere in my blog. In the US we go to four years of high school (ages 14-18) and then, if we want to eventually be doctors, we have to go to college to complete our basic biology courses (usually ages 18-22). THEN we have to go to four years of medical school before we can become certified doctors. I'm in college, not in medical school yet, so I'm a pre-med. Confusing, I know :p

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  10. Thanks for stopping by and leaving some comment love;) This machine is awesome!!! I want to try it out. I think this is less invasive than going into Victoria Secret and having a person tell you your size. I would sooooo check it out! Hope you're having an amazing weekend! BJ

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    1. I didn't think of that! You could use to get your "perfect bra size" too or whatever so you don't have the VS ladies tell you what it is. Interesting. Hope you had a good weekend as well :)

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  11. wow this is the first time i've ever heard of anything like this! the thought of this honestly makes me uncomfortable lol. I'm definitely sticking to trying stuff on myself, but this is a pretty innovative idea!:)

    http://canvasofculture.blogspot.com/

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    1. If two girls weren't running the booth, I definitely wouldn't have done it. I don't want two guys looking at my full body scanner image and telling me what size I am! Haha.

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  12. I heard these were coming to Chicago! Unbelievable!!!

    Thanks for joining my blog, I'm so excited to have a new Chicago follower!!! I've returned the favor. Glad to be here!

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    1. They really are unbelievable! Cool, I'm glad to have another Chicago blogger friend as well :) thanks for the follow!

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  13. This is crazy, I've never heard or seen such a thing, and now I'm totally dying to try it. Hopefully one of our malls here in Richmond will get one. Completely agree with you on the whole size thing...it's all about how YOU feel!

    Thanks for the sweet comment on our blog! We're happily now following you as well!

    Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings

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  14. If this cuts down on time spending browsing/trying on clothes then sign me up! I hate how sizing is different for each brand (or even within the brand-looking at you, J.Crew!)

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