Of hemlines and bra sizes

The Glossary page (on the website of a user-friendly investment company) has an entry on the Hemline Theory (Carefully Capitalized, of course):

Hemline Theory: Capricious idea that stock prices move in the same direction as women's dress hemlines. Short dresses and skirts are considered bullish signs that stock prices will rise. Longer dresses and skirts are considered bearish signs that stock prices will decline. Notwithstanding that it is occasionally correct, the hemline theory has endured more as wishful thinking than serious market analysis.

Last week, I encountered, in Outlook Business (sorry, it has no web presence), the Bra Size Theory of Economic Development:

Here's a biological proof of China's prosperity. Women there are growing larger. The country's bra makers have started making larger cup sizes since last year, with some even creating sub-brands specializing in large sizes. Demand for small bras has fallen so much that Hong Kong-based Embry Group has halted production of smallest sizes for some of its product lines. ... The Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology has released a report saying the average chest circumference of Chinese women has hit 83.53 cm, up nearly 1 cm from the early 1990s. Call it the fruit of reforms; the growth trend is credited to women eating more nutritiously and taking part in more sports. Obviously, the trickle-down hasn't reached rural China yet. ...

A quick search for Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology revealed that it is seeking talent.

Here's a BBC report on the BICT report.