Astounded by trip to shopping centre today

It's because you've got older, OP. You're probably thinking of TopShop in the 90s.

Try Primark, they are full of size 6. Also any younger fashion shop. Yes, I can see if you are looking at older people's shops (Bon Marche/ Sainsbury's, Asda) it is impossible to get size 6, but it is an unusual size for an adult, and this isn't a new thing. Adult sizes used to start at size 8 minimum.

Is this the bodily equivalent of a stealth brag? Most shops I’ve ever been in during my 50+ years have never routinely stocked size 6. And a size 6 person would be all too aware of that.

My daughter is a 6, she has never had an issue finding clothes in shops or online.

I’m a size 10 but when I go clothes shopping, there are always size 6s out. 🤷‍♀️

Blimey! First you know whether or not I’m jealous and now you can read my mind and tell me what phrase I’m thinking of!!! Can you tell me next weeks lottery numbers too please Oh Wise One?!

Yes it’s you. This has always been the case. The most common sizes to be on shop shelves/racks are 8 to 16, anything outside of that is an unusual size so you may find it online but it’s not so likely that you will just find it in store.

The shop staff were probably giving you blank stares thinking “if we had that size, it would be on the rack with all the others, why are you asking?”

This isn’t a new thing. 15+ years ago I remember a size 6 being very uncommon to find in shops. Anyone that’s particularly tall/short/thin/large normally ends up having to shop online.

I feel your pain OP. Everything seems to start at size 10-12. I do get a lot from NEXT kids and m&s, age 12 is a size 8, it's just slightly shorter. Smaller sizes are usually in the sales though just like smaller shoes sizes so that's a bonus I guess!

Then don’t use a phrase that signifies jealousy. That’s literally what you did.

You were thinking of the phrase “first world problems.”

I like you 😁

You cater for what sells and your profiled customer. It's an uncommon size so it stands to reason that it's harder to find, much as that socks for those who need it. Years ago you had to go to specialist stores for anything over a 16; the market has caught up with size increase. I am surprised there aren't petite stores, though, as there used to be plus size ones. It's a niche but it's real.

You should see the trouble I have finding size minus four. It's all plus sizes these days. Disgraceful.

I find shops are full of 6s and 8s. But no 10s or 12s in a longer length.

Well we disagree then. I’m definitely not jealous of someone’s dress size .

I made my size 6-8 DD carry my bags so she wouldn't blow away ( 'cos I'm a decent thoughtful Mum like that )

My DD is not only a 6-8 but she's tall and she's All Leg

She likes some M&S for workwear as they do sizes to fit her in X/Long

H&M seems to have the tiny sizes ,

I;m a 14-16 , they are never in stock .

Me neither!

Back when I was a size 4, the only place I could find clothes in a 4 was TKMaxx. H&M used to run small (don't know if they still do - I've aged out of their target audience now) so a size 6 at H&M fit.

Primark used to run small but don't seem to anymore. Although Primark only seemed to have stock in XXS, XS, XXL and XL last time I was there. Hardly anything in the average sizes.

Warehouse used to fit well too but I can't remember if that was a size 4 or 6.

However, online shopping was relatively new when I was that petite so shops were better stocked. Online is probably the way to go for smaller sizes.

I don't think it's just a size six issue, I quite often can't find a 16, which is a pretty standard size. It is also difficult to get size 8 women's shoes, which is a big bigger than average, but not crazy large - most shops don't stock them or only get one pair in that size. It's probably the same for size six clothes, it's pretty small so they're betting on not many people wanting it.
I agree it's annoying, but at least it's saved you money.
ETA if you measure the waist of lots of a similar size, say 8s you'll find they vary and you could try on the smallest ones.

I don’t entirely disagree - I find it astounding that in these days of stock
control that some stores don’t have a wide range of sizes available. M&S locally being one. Often no size 10 or 12. If they sell out quickly, have more stock!

I had this exact issue last week. I wanted to try on both 12 and 14’s in some styles but there was never both. I gave up and ordered loads online and have just sent loads back because I only wanted to try some stuff!

Are you a teeny-tiny? It must be very hard for you.

Sigh. I used to be a size 4/6 way back in time! I found that Jane Norman, New Look, Quiz, Urban Outfitters etc did size 6. Most, however started at an 8.

I am very very firmly a size 10 these days.

Primark xxs is more an 8 by my sizing (in that I fit in and am a size 8, a size 6 in next and some other places, but definitely a truer 8).

I think size 6 and below are fairly minority sizing so they get less in and sell them.

To be fair it’s always been the same, also with the bigger sizes - can’t for the life of me find things to fit in the shops, was at next looking for pjs the other day, I need a size 16 bottom and size 24 top, couldn’t find a top to match any of the bottoms - it’s annoying 🙃

Aw, I think I know which shopping centre you mean. They only stock big sizes for all the fatties nowadays. Shame. Have you tried the teen(y) section?