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?

There are a;ways loads of 16' -22 s evweyrhe thoguh??
maybe it is the overordering

I would imagine larger women buy fewer clothes, so they need less of these sizes actually. Shopping isn’t much fun when you’re larger (IME), but either way, shops should get an idea of what sizes they will need.
I have to say I think you only notice when your size isn’t there. I’ve had it with children’s sizes, whatever age my children are there seem to be no school clothes of only that size. It’s clearly just how it seems to me.

Maybe this is a misleading statistic because of vanity sizing? I’m probably around a size 12 - which means that in most shops a size 8 fits me.

So maybe the average woman actually is a size 16, according to ‘official’ sizes that you would get on a dress pattern, and buys a size 10 -12, which fits.

16 would be the average if you took a sample where half were size 10 and half were size 22. My point being that the average being 16 doesn't mean there are more 16s than the other sizes.

@LemonViolet

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

This entirely!

I’m a 16 and there are styles of clothesI would just never pick because they would only look good on thinner people. Most other larger women would think similar I suspect. You are probably looking at those! Whereas those of us that can never find a larger size are looking at the same styles that flatter us more, so we all want them!

Is it common practice then, in the retail industry?

Yes. I work in fashion buying and we don’t buy an equal amount of sizes. Each brand will have sizes which sell the most which is personal to each brand and their target consumers. Ours is size 12 and 14.

Then we look at similar styles that we’ve sold in previous seasons and we have a spreadsheet algorithm that works out the rest for us. Where I work we order twice as many size 12’s as we do size 20’s.

However I will say there’s certain styles that always sell better in plus sizes so we’ll order more of them than usual. It really depends on the style and where you’re shopping.

Retailers do analyse their sales and order accordingly. They should also gather data from stores about missed sales due to lack of sizes and can easily track this via online as well. Different brands also obviously aim to appeal to different demographics so will cater for their customer ie Phase Eight/Joules will stock larger sizes whereas a Jigsaw/Reiss will probably aim/appeal more to the 6-12 range.
There are obviously always exceptions to the rule but retailers sadly cannot cater for everyone at all times and risk losing margin when reducing stock to shift it.

@emmathedilemma

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?!?

This is what I think. Are all the 10s getting in there before me, every time?? Have they received some sort of promo email that I didn't get?!

@LaLaLaOh ha ha 2 retailers on here at the same time I see!

[quote TractorAndHeadphones]Hello fellow small!

I used to work in an independent clothes shop and you would often have to buy dresses in packs of six from the labels in the following ratio.

1x8
2x10
2x12
1x14

The 8 would sell straight away and you'd usually be left with 14.

@DuckonaBike

Maybe this is a misleading statistic because of vanity sizing? I’m probably around a size 12 - which means that in most shops a size 8 fits me.

So maybe the average woman actually is a size 16, according to ‘official’ sizes that you would get on a dress pattern, and buys a size 10 -12, which fits.

I found this from YouGov which is somewhat reputable. Average UK dress size is a 16, with a 12 being the "ideal".

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2013/11/20/size-12-britains-ideal-dress-size

@LaLaLaOh

Is it common practice then, in the retail industry?

Yes. I work in fashion buying and we don’t buy an equal amount of sizes. Each brand will have sizes which sell the most which is personal to each brand and their target consumers. Ours is size 12 and 14.

Then we look at similar styles that we’ve sold in previous seasons and we have a spreadsheet algorithm that works out the rest for us. Where I work we order twice as many size 12’s as we do size 20’s.

Fab piece of intel. Thanks!

I'm a 10 or 12. Whenever I shop in real life as opposed to online, there's always tonnes of 6, 8, then 22 not much in between. My local M&S is particularly awful for it.

12s and 14s go first in my experience. There are always size 8s left though.

The same with shoes - only the 5s left.

To be honest I look at the style of the garment and the brand. A size 10 isn't always a 10 for example, so if I see something I like in a different size I will always try it on because it may be ok, especially if it is a bargain. Do not be hung up on sizes, they vary from store to store massively.

That confirms it then OP - if the average UK woman is a real size 16 then she’ll be buying clothes with a much smaller size on the label, which is why they sell out faster.

Interesting how different shops buy an uneven number of sizes as well though; that makes sense!

I find it is the small sizes left (6,8 and 10).

All good for my twin girls who are 21, one is size 8 and the other size 10.

They get fab bargains in White Stuff and Hobbs.

I'm a size 3 shoe though and often get a bargain in the sales!

I think some people who are on a diet buy a smaller size, to help inspire them to lose weight. So it isn’t just people who actually are that size that are buying them.

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

I agree!
I’d definitely say 12/14 is more average.

Most people I know have at least one item of clothing in size 12 or 14 even though they’re completely different shapes or sizes.

@Gilly12345

I find it is the small sizes left (6,8 and 10).

All good for my twin girls who are 21, one is size 8 and the other size 10.

They get fab bargains in White Stuff and Hobbs.

Good tip!!! @Changemusthappen yep, depends on cut and material I buy sizes 6-8 for top and 8-10 for bottoms. somtimes 6 is huge