Astounded by trip to shopping centre today

[Harrietta82]

I usually do my shopping online these days, but went shopping with a friend today to a big centre about 30 minutes away from us (I won’t name it incase outing).

Is it me, or has the minimum size stocked by the majority of shops gradually increased in recent times? I was asking shop assistants whether they had any size 6 stock and received blank stares half the time!

No wonder physical shops seem to be on the way out.

Needless to say, I’ll be sticking to online.

A pleasant experience aside from that though and lovely to see my friend so it wasn’t a wasted day.

Back when I was a size 4, the only place I could find clothes in a 4 was TKMaxx. H&M used to run small (don't know if they still do - I've aged out of their target audience now) so a size 6 at H&M fit.

Primark used to run small but don't seem to anymore. Although Primark only seemed to have stock in XXS, XS, XXL and XL last time I was there. Hardly anything in the average sizes.

Warehouse used to fit well too but I can't remember if that was a size 4 or 6.

However, online shopping was relatively new when I was that petite so shops were better stocked. Online is probably the way to go for smaller sizes.

Me neither!

I made my size 6-8 DD carry my bags so she wouldn't blow away ( 'cos I'm a decent thoughtful Mum like that )

My DD is not only a 6-8 but she's tall and she's All Leg

She likes some M&S for workwear as they do sizes to fit her in X/Long

H&M seems to have the tiny sizes ,

I;m a 14-16 , they are never in stock .

Well we disagree then. I’m definitely not jealous of someone’s dress size .

I find shops are full of 6s and 8s. But no 10s or 12s in a longer length.

You should see the trouble I have finding size minus four. It's all plus sizes these days. Disgraceful.

You cater for what sells and your profiled customer. It's an uncommon size so it stands to reason that it's harder to find, much as that socks for those who need it. Years ago you had to go to specialist stores for anything over a 16; the market has caught up with size increase. I am surprised there aren't petite stores, though, as there used to be plus size ones. It's a niche but it's real.

I like you 😁

Then don’t use a phrase that signifies jealousy. That’s literally what you did.

You were thinking of the phrase “first world problems.”

I feel your pain OP. Everything seems to start at size 10-12. I do get a lot from NEXT kids and m&s, age 12 is a size 8, it's just slightly shorter. Smaller sizes are usually in the sales though just like smaller shoes sizes so that's a bonus I guess!

This isn’t a new thing. 15+ years ago I remember a size 6 being very uncommon to find in shops. Anyone that’s particularly tall/short/thin/large normally ends up having to shop online.

Yes it’s you. This has always been the case. The most common sizes to be on shop shelves/racks are 8 to 16, anything outside of that is an unusual size so you may find it online but it’s not so likely that you will just find it in store.

The shop staff were probably giving you blank stares thinking “if we had that size, it would be on the rack with all the others, why are you asking?”

Blimey! First you know whether or not I’m jealous and now you can read my mind and tell me what phrase I’m thinking of!!! Can you tell me next weeks lottery numbers too please Oh Wise One?!

My daughter is a 6, she has never had an issue finding clothes in shops or online.

I’m a size 10 but when I go clothes shopping, there are always size 6s out. 🤷‍♀️

Is this the bodily equivalent of a stealth brag? Most shops I’ve ever been in during my 50+ years have never routinely stocked size 6. And a size 6 person would be all too aware of that.

Try Primark, they are full of size 6. Also any younger fashion shop. Yes, I can see if you are looking at older people's shops (Bon Marche/ Sainsbury's, Asda) it is impossible to get size 6, but it is an unusual size for an adult, and this isn't a new thing. Adult sizes used to start at size 8 minimum.

It's because you've got older, OP. You're probably thinking of TopShop in the 90s.

Um… you said it meant a minor problem. It didn’t. I helped you with a phrase that did. Nit read your mind once. I judged your jealousy on you using a phrase which means you’re jealous. I gave you the correct phrase because you clarified what you meant.

I think what you missed is that the sizes that sell the most in the UK are 8-12. I used to work in retail (albeit many moons ago) and we used to get 1 size 6, 2 size 8s, 3 size 10 and 12 and 1 14 and 16. It’s been like that for years. But I get you. I was in a European country a few months back looking for a size 32D in a bra and was told that 32 is not common at all and mostly children’s size 🤣. Was then offered a 34 to try on and such small cups that in no way I could even fit half my breasts… frustrating but it has to do with demand.

What’s with thr two teeny tiny comments. Would it be ok to say to a larger person are you a fatty then. If you feel no then don’t do it to smaller women.

As will the “we’ve lost sight of what is a normal size….” Crowd.

You are shopping in the wrong places op. Maybe you need to budget for better clothes? If this is beyond you, maybe try Brandy or children’s shops? I am sure you can be creative and make it work 💅

Why is it ok to post about being overweight and everyone just chats and supports, no nasty comments. But when you’re thin… look at how you’re behaving.

Nope, the only thing I noticed is that size 6 in 2025 is much larger than size 6 in 2005.

I used to work for a young fashion retailer, and if we have an arm of new stock in, there’d only be 1/2 size 6 in. So this is nothing new.