Why Women's Clothes Cost SO Much More Than Men's

 Let’s talk about why women’s clothes cost more—and why the entire fashion industry is built on economic sexism.

1. “Shrink it and pink it” is a profit strategy, not a style choice.

Women’s clothing is often literally the same as men’s clothing—except made smaller, with cheaper fabrics, more fragile construction, and arbitrary embellishments that jack up the price. Oh, and they add pink. Or rhinestones. Or some dumb cutout that makes the bra situation unmanageable.

This isn’t innovation. It’s a price-gouging tactic wrapped in lace.

2. Fast fashion is anything but cheap for women.

Brands like Shein or Zara? Sure, they pump out cheap stuff—but women are expected to buy more of it, more often, to stay “on trend.” The shelf life of a men’s hoodie? Years. A woman’s top with mesh sleeves and a twisted front seam? That’s outdated in a month.

We’re told our wardrobe defines our worth—so we pay for the revolving door.

3. Pocket inequality is very real.

Want jeans that can hold more than a lip balm and a single hope? Too bad. Women’s pants are designed for form over function, which means we’re forced to buy bags. Crossbodies. Clutches. Totes. Then we get charged more for those, too.

Meanwhile, men’s cargo shorts could smuggle a laptop, three snacks, and a golden retriever.

4. Tailoring and fit: built-in markup disguised as necessity.

Women’s bodies are more diverse in shape, and clothing doesn’t account for that—it exploits it. Most “off-the-rack” women’s sizing is inconsistent trash, so we have to spend extra for tailoring, shapewear, or buying multiple sizes just to find one that fits.

It’s not our bodies that are the problem. It’s the industry gaslighting us into thinking they are.

5. Pink Tax isn’t just for razors.

From shirts to shoes, dry cleaning to denim—women routinely pay more for the same damn thing. And don’t even get me started on “occasion wear.” A man rents one tux for ten years. A woman needs a new dress for every event because god forbid someone sees us repeat.

Fashion doesn’t just charge more—it demands more.

6. The pressure to perform gender is monetized.

Clothing is how women are taught to signal competence, likability, femininity, approachability, and a million other double-binds. We’re told to dress for the job we want—but if we dress too powerfully, we’re “intimidating.” Too casual? “Not serious.” Too sexy? “Asking for it.”

Every choice is scrutinized—and every option is more expensive.

7. Men buy clothes. Women buy identities.

That’s how the industry frames it, and that’s how it prices things. When a woman shops, she’s not just buying a sweater—she’s buying acceptance, confidence, beauty, success, sex appeal, safety. Brands market that psychology. Then they mark up the cost.

And society applauds them for it.

The bottom line: Women’s clothing isn’t just more expensive. It’s intentionally, systematically, strategically more expensive.

Because fashion doesn’t just dress women. It bleeds them.