To wonder why clothes aren't more expensive in bigger sizes

[mrsfoof]

If you buy children's clothes, you'll have probably noticed that you have to pay a good few quid more for a T-shirt in age 12 than you would for the exact same T-shirt in age 5. Fair enough, the bigger size uses a lot more fabric.

Why then, is a size 24 ladies' T-shirt the same price as the same T-shirt in a size 6, despite it using a lot more - maybe even twice as much - fabric?

Would people be more motivated to stay a healthy weight if they had to pay more for bigger clothes? Why don't we charge more for bigger clothes? Are the prices based on the average amount of fabric used - so skinny people pay more and very large people pay less than they should do based on the resources used to make their clothes?

FWIW I'm marginally overweight and wouldn't have a problem paying more for my size 14 than a 6. I think it would motivate me to lose some weight if the size 10 was cheaper though!

They’ve always done this in France’s mail order. I think la redoute still does.

Exactly mrsFoof, we accept it without question for certain items (bras, children's clothing, duvet covers) yet we all agree it would be terrible if adult clothing was like this? Why is nobody out there kicking up a stink about children's clothes being priced differently for different sizes. Feels really inconsistent, either people think it's fat shaming or its not, if it's fat shaming for adults it's fat shaming for children. Adults come in different shapes and sizes just like children do.

@mrsfoof i actually don’t think it’s a wild idea that clothes are priced per cost of material used… as you’ve said childrens clothes are… and if you’re taller or broader then sure you might have to pay a little more… shoes too; that would apply to everyone! A little condescending to say that it would motivate overweight people though…

They often already are. Picked up a size 20 top in Matalan plus range which was several pounds more than the same size in the standard range.
Plus sizes 20 up are already severely disadvantaged due to lack of choice. Oftrn having to order online etc.
It us gard enough struggling with you weight without further price increases.

What a nasty thread about people that are over size 10 and/or taller than average.

Interesting... French women are typically slim. Maybe because they don't want to pay more for bigger sizes!
(French women stats: 15% obese, 25% overweight in 2019, compared with 31% obese, 30% overweight in UK for the same year).

It's not about that at all.

To everyone who doesn't want THEIR taxes paying for NHS treatment of fat folk -
Shock, Horror, Fat people also pay taxes too!

I was speaking for myself (I'm overweight) when I said maybe it would be motivating. I genuinely think that I would be more motivated to lose weight if clothes were a few £ cheaper in smaller sizes, or if I could get cheaper seats on a plane or whatever. I appreciate not everyone would feel the same.

Actually people are being nasty. People are not writing unkind comments suggesting fat people should try harder to be thin, or that there is something wrong about being fat - people are questioning an economic practice of pricing and why society ignores this practice with regard to children's clothing but not adults? Yet people are just determined that it's fat shaming. Ask yourself why you are so keen to see things as fat shaming?

Oh shut up op 🙄

Well it wouldn't be fat shaming with kids would it, it's closer to age discrimination.

Sorry should have said 'people aren't being nasty'

It's not fat shaming for me it's discrimination for being tall

Sorry why would it not be fat shaming with kids? Huge numbers of kids are overweight? Just as adult women could be larger because they are taller/broader, or because they are significantly overweight, children could need a bigger size either because they are older/taller/bigger framed, or because they are significantly overweight.....why is it different? Oh and generally overweight children grow taller more quickly than children who are not overweight.

I'm just questioning why that doesn't happen. My DC is 10 and wears age & trousers. Her friend (also 10) wears age 12-13. I pay less your get school trousers than her friend's mum does for her DC, so yes, this is an example of cheaper clothes for being a shortarse.

Actually, most adult shortarses do get cheaper clothes. If they're slim enough to fit into children's sizes, most age 13+ clothes would fit someone of around 5'2" upwards.

Bigger kids sizes have AT added which is why they cost more, all adult csizes are vatable. Fabric is but a very small part of the price of a garment, the labour, cost of distribution , paying for the design and overheads are the same regardless of size

I actually find it really annoying, I’m a 30h and I hate that I have to pay 3x the price for a bra, doesn’t seem fair

How about you donate a few pounds to obesity charities whenever you buy an item of clothing? Then everybody wins - you get your “motivation” to lose weight and everyone else cracks on as normal without feeling fat shamed and miserable.

As a tall person (much taller than regular 'tall sections' on the high street) it would be nice if I could just walk into a shop and buy a pair of trousers without having to go to Long Tall Sally or some other specialist shop where the clothes are crap and still ridiculously expensive. I've given up and started wearing men's jeans so at least I can have some choice for half the price. I doubt I'll ever own a jump suit.

I'm short & small & used to buy alot of kids clothes. Pre baby I was in age 12-13 , now I'm a short 8-10. There's a huge difference between kids & adults due to tax. It's Definitely not motivating me to shift the baby weight sorry.

Age 14 girls clothes have a chest measurement of 34". This puts them into the bracket where VAT is applicable.

You keep banging on and on about the kids clothing example but retailers can get away with charging a bit more when the ages go up because kids grow and this isn’t seen as discrimination. What your suggesting would be discrimination.

Do you also think they should charge more for maternity clothing? An incentive not to contribute to over population perhaps?
Or how about adults with larger feet?

Thong styled underwear and swimwear, should that be encouraged too?
Oh yes let’s start weighing people at airports and they can pay more for their plane tickets. Why stop there? Buses, trains. What a delightful thread.

Well I'm really short (and a but fat) and I'd happily pay extra for a 26 inch leg to save alteration costs. Why shouldn't a person with a less common body size pay more. It would lead to more choice. People are so defensive

So a fat tax on bigger clothes is what you are suggesting?