[size=14]MODEM chosen this article beacause The Business of Fashion’s [red]Kate Abnett[/red][/size][size=14] explains why women’s products often cost more – the so-called pink tax, an emerging trend in the retail consumer market, which has sparked outcry among consumers.[/size]

Comparing the price of similar items in the e-commerce stores of Saint Laurent, Valentino, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain and Alexander Wang, BoF found instances where the male and female versions of a style had different prices. And in most of these cases, the women’s was more expensive than the men’s version, even though they have the same design, colour and materials composition.

According to a study released by New York City Department of Consumer Affairs last year, some products marketed to women - including jeans, shampoo and children’s toys - cost 7 percent more. On average, women paid 8 percent more than men for similar items of clothing.

Saint Laurent explained to BoF that ‘price differences occur because most of its women’s garments require more workmanship than its men’s’.

Abnett pinpoints that there are some logical reasons why men and women may be charged different prices for items - even when those items look the same.

This can be due to various factors including materials and workmanship, consumer demand and gender-based tariffs…

The journalist highlights that the last few years has seen a shift in men’s shopping habits. Men’s clothing becoming more fashion-forward and technically sophisticated, and the menswear market growing faster than womenswear . Because today men get more involved in fashion.

[size=14]Read [red]Kate Abnett[/red]’s full article at BUSINESS OF FASHION[/size]

Picture courtesy of Business of Fashion

Anna Rita Russo @ modemonline