Why can’t clothes shops sell clothes in sizes in proportion to the population

[noggla]

50% of women are 16-18, so make half the clothes of that size. It makes more sense as Clothes retailers probably get more sales as if make fewer size 8 clothes. As the latter goes in the sale. Same with shoes. Make more 7-8. Also introduce size 9s.

You honestly think shops stock clothes to make a point about the sizes they think people ought to be, rather than what actually sells? Come on now.

Go to M&S OP. My local one has a ton of 6/8’s then masses of 16/18/20. Never anything in between. It’s unbelievably frustrating. If M&S goes under, it will be because of their utter inability to organise their supply of sizes.

I can never get the massive shoe sizes, not quite 9 but size 8/8.5. I only ever find small sizes left like 6 or under that wouldn't fit my children.

I think we are tuned into remembering what we want but couldn't buy as it's frustrating when you find the perfect dress or jeans for example, but not in your size.

OP, I have a great fear that with all the weight loss drugs doing the rounds, those of us who are a little more lavishly upholstered will find that they make fewer larger sizes. Like all chubsters, I would love to be thin, but quite apart from the cost, I’m fearful of the side effects of weight loss drugs, most particularly pancreatitis. One of the things I have never understood about clothes retailers is that some styles are for slim people- strappy tops, sleeveless mini dresses - while some have appeal at the other end of the size range - looser dresses and longer tops, for example. M and S will have in a dress that says “new”, and either all the smaller or all the larger sizes will have sold out online, according to style. Surely the clothes manufacturers must be aware of which styles will appeal to which sizes?

Who the F is a size 9 in female shoes. Size 5 is normal for a woman. If anything we need more size 2 and 3 that aren't made for children or grannys.
If you find getting a 14-16 hard try being a 4-6.

How do you know how many of each size are sold? As a consumer you just see a snapshot. I’m sure the buyers try and maximise sales.

But do you honestly think that they constantly quickly sell out of sizes 16-18 and are left with an excess of other sizes, and are just continuing with this without making changes?
Of course they stock the mix of sizes they think will sell the best!

It’s mad you say this and seeing everyone else’s ideas because as you said it I was thinking’ah this is about three never being any size 12s or medium anywhere ever!!!’

Yes

i remember the good old days when M&S made varying skirt lengths

I think it can be hard to find your size at any size, at times as shops don't stock many sizes, full stop. So unless you hit the sweet spot of new stock arriving many sizes will have gone and will likely not be restocked.

Now I'm a size ten I often find only larger sizes are left. Probably because I'm now wearing more fitted styles.

Quite a few women. I'm a size 8 in shoes. My sister and grandmother are both size 9.

Tall women need shoes too.

i am and it’s a complete bastard trying to find shoes that fit

From a manufacturing perspective you'd prob want more smaller sizes left over... think of all that extra fabric. Im surprised they don't charge more for larger sizes tbh, it would be fair of they did.

I'm a size 9!

5 8' and a size 16.

It’s the dress and trouser length that I don’t understand. I’m average height but average length clothes are a good 4 inches too long of not more 😩

me too. I order mine from Next. No lovely trips to shoe shops for me as they never have my size!

They obviously stock what sells in their shop. Half the population might be a 16-18 but half the people who shop in Hobbs aren’t a size 16-18.

At a guess tall women? I’m 5 11” with size 8 (in some shops feet) it was a real struggle in younger days as often stopped at a 7. I used to go to long tall sally for school shoes. I went to the Netherlands for an Erasmus year and it was a real revelation to feel average. Clothes cut for my height, my shoe size in every store.

Me it's a nightmare getting shoes that fit. My daughter is an 8.5 and school shoes nightmare.
I live in DM shoes and boots as well that's what's available

Whenever I look in sales it’s always the big sizes left. There are very few if any in the small end of the range.

Wow soupy, how did you lose all that weight!! well done.

Wow soupy, how did you lose all that weight!! well done.

I think they do have more clothes in larger sizes. It is much easier to find sizes 14+ in the sales than it is to find 10s and 12s, which tells me that all the 10s and 12s sold out first and are therefore more popular.

I'm a size 3 and have real trouble finding shoes to fit, my feet are wide as well as small. Likewise clothing - i am very short and a lot of larger sizes are cut for tall women. Fortunately I can sew and alter garments but for very tailored clothing it is just too complicated.

teenagers and people in their twenties buy the most fashion. 50% of that demographic is not plus size. They tend to be size 4-10. That’s why.