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Why are women paying more for plus-size jeans at Old Navy, but all men's jeans are priced the same, regardless of size? 19,000 people have signed a Change.org petition that asks Old Navy to stop up-charging for plus-size women's jeans, calling the pricing policy discriminatory. The petition alleges that Old Navy's Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans cost $27 in a size 6, while the same jeans in a size 26 cost $40; meanwhile, the men's Slim-Fit Jean costs $25 regardless of size. Consumerist quotes a petitioner's argument:
I was fine paying the extra money as a plus-sized woman, because, you know, more fabric equals higher cost of manufacture. However, selling jeans to larger-sized men at the same cost as they sell to smaller men not only negates the cost of manufacture argument, but indicates that Old Navy is participating in both sexism and sizeism, directed only at women.
The petition also demands to know why Old Navy separates "Women's Plus" clothes into a completely different section of the website, but keeps all of the mens clothes together on the site.
Consumerist reached out to a PR rep at Gap Inc., Old Navy's parent company, and they explained that plus-size women's jeans are reworked by designers, which is why they cost more.
They are created by a team of designers who are experts in creating the most flattering and on-trend plus styles, which includes curve-enhancing and curve-flattering elements such as four-way stretch materials and contoured waistbands, which most men's garments do not include. This higher price point reflects the selection of unique fabrics and design elements.
To which the petitioner responded: "Gap Inc. has been caught red-handed and believes that by using some PR spin and slight-of-hand, they will be able to make this all go away, like they and others like them have so many times before. I, for one am not buying it."
· Old Navy Tries To Explain Why Women Pay Extra For Plus-Size Clothes But Men Don't [Consumerist]
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