Would you buy your clothes a size smaller if they were cheaper?
By Jess
@JJ4Ever (4693)
United States
May 6, 2008 2:21pm CST
I've seen a few stores offer the same clothes at different prices based on size. I don't know how or why they do this, but sometimes clothing trends tend to be smaller and more form-fitting nowadays.
I went to a store where a medium top was $14.99 and a small top (same shirt) cost $9.99. The medium size would've been an ideal fit, but I went ahead and bought the smaller shirt because I knew it would probably fit as well only a little more snug. Sure enough, it fit and was a little smaller than the other size. It still fit, but it was slightly smaller than what I was used to. It was still a good deal, in my opinion, to save $5 and have a little more snug shirt. I figure I can always stretch it out once I wash it.
What do you think? Would you buy clothes a size smaller if they were at a cheaper price than the larger size or would you rather pay a little extra for your ideal fit if it's the larger size?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
1 Jun 08
maybe because the larger sizes consume more material that's why they are expensive than the smaller ones.
i wouldn't buy a size smaller than my size even if it's the cheapest thing in the world. ^__^;; if its smaller than my size then it wouldn't fit me right? and i don't believe i can stretch it. i might stretch it but it would ruin its actual design. i might buy a size larger than my actual size but not just smaller. although there was a time before that i bought a shirt which i thought fits me perfectly but after a few wears, it got a little tight. ^__^;;
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
its also based on experience. there was a time that i bought a smaller size because it was on sale and i thought it would look nicer if its body-hugging. but when i was wearing i wasn't too comfortable with it and i regret the day that i didn't buy the larger size. ^__^;; so now i don't buy smaller sized clothes just because its on sale. 
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@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
2 Jun 08
I fell into the trap of buying a smaller size because it was cheaper. It fit ok at the time, although a little more snug than I usually bought. I'm quite slim, so it's not like I can really lose weight to fit in my clothes because that wouldn't work too well or be very beneficial for me! I wish I'd done like what you do, get just the right size or a size larger if necessary. There's nothing you can do when your clothes are too small (other than give them away or sell them) because they really don't stretch! Thanks for your response. I agree with you completely and wish I'd done this the first time around!
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
8 May 08
Frankly, I wouldn't buy either of those shirts and would have gone to another store which didn't have a price difference in sizes.
I have sometimes shopped at the teenager's section (because I would get clothes that fit well...and not for the price...and this was before my second son was born).
But if a larger size fits well...and I can get the smaller size for a lower price, I don't think I will pick either of the two.
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@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
14 May 08
Interesting response. You're absolutely, right, though. We shouldn't have to choose between prices based on size of clothing. It's a rip off, really. That's all they're out to do is to make people wear too-small clothing. I'm convinced that although I've done it before, I admit, I'm not doing it anymore. I really should resort to what you're saying because I shouldn't have to pay a price difference and get a cheaper shirt only because it's smaller and doesn't fit as well as the slightly more expensive one. (I hope that made sense.) I like your idea. I think I'm going to go with it from now on!
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
6 May 08
No I will not buy anything that is too small for me. If I happen to wash it it may shrink then I will lose all the money I payed for it. I do not like tops fitting to tight anyway. I would rater spend a little more, so I can be comfortable, and wear it longer.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
7 May 08
I really like your avatar! (LOL) I know that's a little off subject, but it's very neat. I really like your response because I didn't even think about the long-term effects of buying something a size too small (unless, of course, you're hoping to lose weight by buying something smaller). Clothes that fit just right will last a lot longer since you wouldn't be squeezing into them constantly and stressing the seams and such. Thanks for your interesting input on this topic. Keep up the good work!
@athinapie (1150)
• Philippines
8 May 08
I won't buy smaller clothes even if it's cheaper. I think it would be better if the shirt is just the right size for you otherwise it'll just be useless. You'll feel uncomfortable wearing that tight and probably, unbreathable shirt.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
14 May 08
A shirt that is the right size will most definitely last longer and be more comfortable. Judging by the responses to this discussion, I'm definitely willing to pay the extra money to have a shirt that fits just right and is comfortable. Thanks so much for your response. I agree with you completely! Great insight.
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
1 Jun 08
I already have enough clothes that are too small, I don't need any more! lol
If I picked up two items and found they were priced differently based on size, I would probably just leave the store. It is bad enough trying to find clothes that look nice and fit properly, without making it more traumatic by punishing me for not fitting into a small.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
2 Jun 08
I should've done the same thing, just walk out of the store when I saw there was a difference in price based on size. What a crazy thing to do! I still have the shirt I bought in a small rather than a medium or large because it was cheaper. The shirt is quite snug now about a year later, and I'm not a person who needs to lose weight either! I'm actually very slim, so that store's size small was probably an extra, extra, extra small. I should've posted this discussion a year ago! (LOL) Thanks for your input. I agree with you completely and should've followed your suggestion when I faced that situation several months ago. Take care.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
6 May 08
no I wouldn't because the size I buy is the right size for me, and I could not fit into the smaller size. I don't want something skin tight, or a blouse that all the button holes are spreading and it looks totally awful, which you see and many large people.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
7 May 08
Clothes that are too tight can really hold up production, if you know what I mean. The reason I started this discussion is because I was wearing a nice kakhi jacket with my jeans. I could hardly move my arms, though! It was awful. I think I got it on sale when it fit a little better. I must've gained weight because that jacket sure doesn't fit like it used to! If I remember correctly, it was still quite snug when I bought it. I'll think better next time when I purchase clothing. Thanks for your response. I'm happy to hear that it's worth it to you to pay a little extra to have comfortable clothes. I'm finding this is a common trend to this discussion!
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
6 May 08
No, If I buy the wrong size I would have to turn right around and return it. I do like to save money but I can't just adjust my sizes to accomidate what's in my wallet.
1 person likes this
@brucekaushik (891)
• India
6 May 08
I will never prefer that way instead i prefer a little big always as i am comfortable that way.
but in your case as u feel that you it will become larger once u wash it its ok.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
7 May 08
Thanks, Bruce! Having an article of clothing that is too big is much more comfortable than something too small, I agree. In my case, I'm a little smaller as it is, so some things I can get in a small or medium size and still be ok. It's also like you said how I can stretch them out after I wash them while they're still damp because I rarely ever dry my clothes in the dryer. Thanks for your input!
