If the average UK woman is size 16...

[nc198567]

Then why are the Size 8, 10, and often 12, clothes always sold out first 😭

I'm a size 10 and when there's a popular clothing item hitting the shelves, I notice it's usually the 8 and 10s that are first to have their "Sold Out" icon up online/nothing left on the racks in-store.

During a sale, there's barely any 10s going! But there always seems to be size 14 and 16 left. Always!

I'm trying to find a dress online for an upcoming event and every dress I click on, there's only bigger sizes left.

Anyone else find this?

They might not order an equal amount of each size to start with

Maybe they make less of them?

Because they order fewer of the smaller sizes

I feel your pain though. I have three weddings coming up and every dress that I have liked was out of stock in my size.

I find the 12s and 14s are the hardest to find.

Nope. I can never find 14-16 and the racks are full of 8-10s!!!

Nah - it’s always the 12s and 14s that go first.

You probably shop in places which appeal most to your size. Somewhere like Other Stories: most of their clothes would only look good on a 8-12. They do larger sizes but I bet they hardly stock any.

They order fewer of the less popular sizes as they don't want to have them hanging around at sale time. (I have this issue with shoes )

Either it's because they make fewer of the smaller sizes.

Or that particular dress is more flattering on a 10/12 than a 14/16 so it has sold out in the smaller sizes.

@Cactu

You probably shop in places which appeal most to your size. Somewhere like Other Stories: most of their clothes would only look good on a 8-12. They do larger sizes but I bet they hardly stock any.

I do like & Other Stories

@Brakebackcyclebot

Because they order fewer of the smaller sizes

That's probably it! Is it common practice then, in the retail industry?

Sales always have all the sizes except ones that fit you, it’s like the universal law of sales.

See I'm a size 12-14 and can never find stuff i like in my size, there's always loads of 6,8,10 and 18, 20,22 but never any 12,14,16.

Perhaps particular styles appeal more to people a similar size and therefore sell out quicker in those size ranges?

Survivorship bias.

You notice when they run out of the size you want.

I think there are always 8s and 10s left because they are no use to me

The law of sod states that the sizes you want are the ones sold out! It is always the case I'm afraid.
It don't matter what size you are what your looking for won't be on the shelf! 🤷🏻‍♀️

See I always find everything I want is in a 12. I am not even close to a 12.

Always a 12. No idea why.

The average size is for women of all ages so might not be average for your size (although it's also true that sizes are bigger in shops for older women).

@Hodgehog

See I always find everything I want is in a 12. I am not even close to a 12.

Always a 12. No idea why.

Whereas I find the 12 is always gone as so many people take it.

Different shops have different demographics and target audiences. Some shops will sell more smaller sizes, others more larger sizes, some brands do not make lager sizes, others don't make certain items in smaller sizes.

Also the average being a size 16 whilst technically true varies across age, region, to an extent even area, income distribution etc.

During a sale, there's barely any 10s going! But there always seems to be size 14 and 16 left. Always!

I'm guessing the styles you like are more popular amongst size 10s.

I'm a 14 but there are rarely any 14s in the clothes I'd consider buying, always loads of small sizes though.

@tobypercy

Survivorship bias.

You notice when they run out of the size you want.

I think there are always 8s and 10s left because they are no use to me

This 👆👆👆👆

I agree! It’s practically impossible to buy anything smaller than size 14 in my local shops……do all the small people go shopping ahead of me, do they never stock these sizes, do they stock fewer of them?!?

I have a daughter.
Finding school tights was always a night mare. When she was for example 5 there would be no 5’s but loads of 4 and 6, then when she was 6 there would be loads of 5 and 7s but no 6!!!

I’m a 14/16 and there always tonnes and tonnes of 8/10 and 18/20 but never any of the middle sizes

Hello fellow small!