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SALT LAKE CITY — A petition calling out Old Navy for charging more for women’s plus size clothing but not men’s larger sizes has ignited a debate about double standards.
The petition started on change.org says Old Navy discriminates against larger-sized women by charging $12-$15 more for plus-sized women’s jeans. They link link to these examples:
- Women’s Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans, size 6: $27
- Women’s Plus Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans, size 26: $40
- Men’s Slim-Fit Jeans, sizes 29-48: $25
Posey also notes that women’s plus size clothing also has a completely different section on the website while all men’s clothing can be found in one place. Women’s petite clothing are lumped in with the women’s “regular” size clothing. Posey calls this "unfair and offensive on many levels."
(Plus size styles) include 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.
–Gap. Inc. statement
“Please note that the larger mens sizes are available in store while 'plus size' women's clothes are only available online,” wrote petition supporter Janice Wernimont. “They want our money, they just don't want us in their stores.”
“The difference in price has actually deterred me from making a purchase in the past,” wrote Jennifer Sibley, another petition supporter. “Please consider changing your prices and not punishing your plus-sized shoppers with higher prices.”
Old Navy parent company, Gap, Inc., released a statement to several news outlets explaining the price hike.
“Old Navy is proud to offer styles and apparel designed specifically for the plus-size customer. For women, styles are not just larger sizes of other women’s items, 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.”
Posey posted an update to the petition following the release of the statement.
#poll
"Gap Inc.: We are not satisfied with your canned response to our petition, asking you to stop up-charging only plus-sized women," Posey wrote. "Is the truth that the cost per garment is nominal, but you add an extreme up-charge because you know plus-sized women lack options for buying affordable stylish clothing and take advantage of an under-served majority that makes up 65 percent of your female market? Your customers want answers and we want change."
As of Wednesday night, the petition had a little over 30,000 of the required 35,000 signatures.
