Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think high street clothing retailers should stock larger sized in store?

109 replies

PandoraMole · 05/12/2016 16:45

Just back from a lovely Christmas shopping break in a nearby UK city, but ended up cross, frustrated and disappointed with several clothes stores who cater for larger women online where they are happy to take our money, but won't stock bigger sizes in their high street stores.

Dorothy Perkins had something of an excuse as their branch is quite small, not so New Look whose enormous store doesn't stock anything - really disappointing as their online range is great.

H&M had a small range, tucked out of the way round the furthest corner at the back of their stores with next to signposting. Just a shame it comprised little more than oversized shirts and shapeless jumpers in Sixty Shades of Sludge.

It's not an unknown that lots of us come in a size beyond 16 for many reasons and we all feel differently about our bodies.

While some people prefer to shop online, I imagine that lots of women, like me, would like to buy clothes in pretty designs and colours that flatter our curves and we'd like to be able to go out shopping for them on the high street with our 'normal' sized friends, daughters, mums, sisters etc and be able to enjoy choosing clothes and trying them on in Real Life.

Not only are many retailers not giving us that choice, those that do tuck 'our' range out of the way with little signage which is a pain in the arse and not much fun for the less forthcoming types who would feel uncomfortable asking where to look for them (I'm a mouthy so and so and I didn't particularly enjoy it tbh).

Why should we have to be hidden away in discreet corners and on the internet? It has an undercurrent of body shaming to me and surely in 2016 this should be a complete non-issue?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 05/12/2016 19:31

Op, you're ignoring the people posting saying smaller sizes aren't available either, and their feedback shows it's about what sells most, or do you think shops are skinny or petite shaming too?

You're also making the stats work for you, size 16 is mainstream and available in many shops. How many people are above a size 18? A size 20 ? A size 22? Maybe the same amount that are a size six or four? And they can't get their size either.

Areyoufree · 05/12/2016 19:38

Apparently 25% of British women are size 18 or over. Do you really think that the same percentage are size 8 or below?

Original poster
PandoraMole · 05/12/2016 19:41

40% are over a size 16, that's 10m women of a variety of sizes 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 etc etc.

I'm sure there others with unusual sizing that do have problems finding what they want, I can't comment on that in detail as I don't have the same issues.

What I do know is that stores I went in yesterday certainly had sizes down to 6 in all ranges and petite sections but nothing for larger women.

I think the most ridiculous thing is the women over 30 who try and shop at H&M or Zara or top shop.

Seriously? We all have to be consigned to frumpy M&S and Bon Marche or pricey Boden and the likr as soon as we hit 30?

Sod that for a game of soldiers!

OP posts:
DinosaursRoar · 05/12/2016 19:41

The higher costs for the larger sizes might have nothing to do with the material costs, but the fixed costs of the "run" of those sizes being split between a much smaller number of dresses/tops etc e.g. If it costs say £2000 to make the pattern/set the machines to cut a particular shape, on a size 12, that might be split between 2000 dresses, in a size 20 that might be split between only 100 dresses, before the variables like fabric or d

Sirzy · 05/12/2016 19:42

I never had a problem getting size 18 though, even 20 wasn't too bad. What % is over a 20? It will be getting much smaller.

Realistically the vast majority of U.K. Women are probably in the size 10-18 range. Hence these are the sizes which are most widely stocked. The further beyond the norms you get the harder it will be to find things in stock.

29redshoes · 05/12/2016 19:46

Hmmmm, I'm always surprised when I see posts like this because I'm a very "average" 10/12 and often struggle to find my size in store! It always seems to me (perhaps because that's the size I want to buy) that they're the ones which sell out quickest. I see there was one PP who said the same thing so I'm not alone in that. I often find the same online as well.

Maybe shops just don't always have all the sizes in stock all the time?

Original poster
PandoraMole · 05/12/2016 19:51

Maybe shops just don't always have all the sizes in stock all the time

Well obviously. The thing is, if you're a size 10/12 and you go in a shop they may not have every item in your size, but there will be countless other options within that store and tens of other stores to choose from that also stock a that size (I know, because that's actually my former size Sad).

I wouldn't even attempt to shop in Zara, Top Shop, Miss Self ridge and the like. But is it really that UR to expect shops that sell larger size ranges online to also have them available in their larger shops.

I still don't think so tbh.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 05/12/2016 19:53

But why would they use up floor space with things they know are unlikely to sell? Where is the sense in that? Just the same as I know I can only by clothes from a few high street stores that are small enough for me.

RandomDent · 05/12/2016 19:55

Pandora do Simply Be run a credit service? That might also explain the price jump. Things are often more expensive to make up for the fact they're doing it for £1 a week or whatever it is. :)

DinosaursRoar · 05/12/2016 19:56

Oh and it really varies in smaller sizes - shops that cater for an older market (often with styles that suit me/my lifestyle now) often don't have smaller sizes (white stuff is one that only has size 6 for part of their range, and then hardly ever in store), but then the younger stores do.

Petite lengths seem almost random as to which styles and shops will do them. I've accepted I'll just have to pay a fortune for jeans.

Original poster
PandoraMole · 05/12/2016 19:57

I would have thought the credit side was separate but I don't know tbh. It could well do.

I just look on ebay or wait until the sales are on.

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 05/12/2016 20:06

Thefitfatty, where are the over 30s meant to shop?

ispentitwithyou1 · 05/12/2016 20:12

Speak for yourself fitfatty

ShatnersBassoon · 05/12/2016 20:15

You're wanting a business to do you a favour, essentially. These shops are not going to accept a cut in sales and profit in order to make high street shopping easier for those customers who aren't in the popular middle sizes. YABU.

littleone7 · 05/12/2016 20:24

I'm a size 6 and 5ft. I also struggle to get clothes that fit and many have to still be altered. The majority of shops don't stock a large petite range and I have to buy most of my clothes online, even then I struggle for smart work clothes and formal dresses. Like everyone has said, the shops will stock the most popular sizes and if you don't wear those sizes it is more difficult. I didn't choose to be short yet I still have to look for alternatives through no fault of my own. It's just something you have to suck up and deal with.

IonaNE · 05/12/2016 21:00

I'm currently 12-ish, but have been larger - when I get to 14 or above, I totally lose interest in clothes shopping ( and am only interested in food shopping ). So while averages say there must be lots of 16+ women, I suspect fewer of them enjoy high street shopping.

OP, if you are prepared to try ASDA or Sainsbury's, they often have up to 26. And some of their clothes are quite nice.

Thefitfatty : I think the most ridiculous thing is the women over 30 who try and shop at H&m or ZAra or top shop. Those brands are meant for teenagers. Why are you still buying there after you've had the natural spread that occurs with kids
Well, first of all, I'm late 40s, Fitfatty, and I don't have the "natural spread that occurs with kids", since I don't have any. Am I allowed to still shop in H&M? Secondly, I don't think there are any obligatory rules regarding style and image. If I want to dress in jeans and a big hoodie, then I'll do so, and if you find that ridiculous - frankly, I don't care. Grin

Christmassnake · 05/12/2016 21:12

Hi mole,simply be and fashion world both do joe browns stuff,and all the same price for all sizes stocked I belive ,snake

maggiethemagpie · 05/12/2016 21:20

I doubt it's intended to 'fat shame'. I found the same with maternity clothing. Where there isn't the high demand, the shops won't use up valuable floor space stocking it.

That probably goes for size 4 and 6 in many ranges too.

maggiethemagpie · 05/12/2016 21:23

If it makes you feel any better OP I went to a large M and S today to buy basic black legging in size 14 and it didn't have any, it'd sold out. So it's barely better if you are a 'popular' size.

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 05/12/2016 22:08

I think the most ridiculous thing is the women over 30 who try and shop at H&m or ZAra or top shop. Those brands are meant for teenagers. Why are you still buying there after you've had the natural spread that occurs with kids?

Where should I shop, at 34 and slightly thinner than I was at 16 when I procreated? Seriously, what brands are for over 30s?

I'd never heard of boden till I started posting here, and have never heard anyone talking about it in real life. The town I live in is full of hippies and has independent stores that stock tie-dye and walking gear, a fat face and an m and co. So I have to head for closest city to shop. The three shops you mention would be ones I would naturally head for. I'd go to h&m for some long sleeve tops and roll necks, Zara for plain trousers or skirt, and top shop for something a bit sparkly to coordinate with the other basics- nothing like what my teen would wear. She'd never wear anything out of my wardrobe apart from "going out" dresses really, which I think are too old for her.

Bluntness100 · 05/12/2016 22:25

I buy jeans out of h&m, and long sleeve t shirt tops and vest tops. My daughter who is 19 wouldn't wear what I do, and I'm 47. The reason I buy their jeans is they fit well and they do them in long. I would not say any of those shops were aimed at teens.

Original poster
PandoraMole · 05/12/2016 22:30

IonaNE I'll have a look at Asda and Tu online. Tbh I'm not that fussed what the labels says as long as its affordable, fits well and looks good.

I will admit to being more than normally annoyed about this as I (stupidly it would appear) went off without packing a decent top to wear when we went out for dinner on the assumption that I would be able to get something in New Look which is bloody enormous and used to stock their larger range.

I was a bit miffed to find myself sat in a lovely Italian restaurant in my Chrimas jumper complete with flashing baubles (size 20 from Tescos if anyone's looking Wink).

So I will admit to overreacting a wee bit, but I still think it's a shame that retailers can't stick some of their bigger size rang in their larger stores. Seems like a missed opportunity to me but hey ho!

OP posts:
halcyondays · 05/12/2016 22:30

I wouldn't say H&M and Zara were aimed at teens, particularly. Topshop possibly.

mumofthemonsters808 · 05/12/2016 22:31

I think I fall into the category of over thirty, well I'm actually over 40 and shop at Zara and Top Shop, I don't like H And M though or Boden who I think is overpriced and over rated..I'm size 8-10, no natural spread and sometimes struggle to find my size, I think it's just the perils of shopping.

JorahsMissus · 05/12/2016 22:40

Regardless of what the reason for the shops not stocking plus sizes, it's a pain in the fucking arse that we can't just go grab something last minute for a night out or event. We have to buy online and wait for delivery. Just once I'd like to go have a look around, feel the fabrics, try things on, and purchase there and then instead of having to wait days just because I'm fucking fat!