Old Navy is getting a lot of attention from its customers, but not in a good way. The company, which is owned by Gap Inc., is under fire for up-charging on plus-size women’s clothes, while keeping prices consistent for men of all sizes.
Weng Lei/AP
A petition on Change.org posted by Renee Posey has gathered 20,000 signatures after pointing out that Old Navy charges $12-$15 more for plus-size women’s jeans, but does not for “big” men’s jeans.
“I was fine paying the extra money as a plus-sized woman, because, you know, more fabric equals higher cost of manufacture,” Posey wrote. “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.”
Citing the cost of Old Navy’s Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans as $27 for a size 6 and the same jeans in a size 26 as $40, Posey compares them to the Men’s Slim-Fit Jeans, priced at $25 across the board.
Old Navy spokesperson Debbie Felix explained the price disparity in the following statement: “Old Navy is proud to offer styles and apparel designed specifically for the plus size customer. For women, styles are not just larger … 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.”
Still, Posey is receiving encouragement and backing from women of all sizes. “Although I am not a plus-sized woman, gender discrimination makes me very angry,” said one supporter. “This is a blatantly sexist double standard and it stinks, Old Navy.”
What do you think of the plus-size double standard? Do you agree with Posey’s petition? Sound off below.
–Michelle Ward
