A woman from New Jersey is calling out Abercrombie & Fitch for what she calls the “pink tax.” After comparing two $85 wool sweaters, she wonders why the women’s version contains significantly less wool than the men’s version.
On October 11, a woman (@elyse9438) compared the two sweaters in a TikTok video that had racked up 441,000 views by Wednesday.
“I don’t understand why no one is talking about this ‘pink tax’ at Abercrombie, but it’s a real scandal,” she says.
What’s wrong with Abercrombie’s women’s sweaters?
In a video, the woman highlights a men’s crew-neck sweater made of 100% merino wool, priced at $85. She then compares it to a women’s crew-neck sweater made of a wool blend, which costs the same amount.
“It also costs $85,” she says, pointing to the women’s sweater.
The women’s version contains only 25% wool, compared to 40% cotton and 35% nylon. The men’s sweater, on the other hand, is made of 100% merino wool.
“That’s strange—they cost exactly the same,” she remarks in surprise. “There’s no excuse for this.”
The woman also questions the durability of synthetic materials. She argues that clothing containing plastic and acrylic can wear out faster than items made entirely of natural fibers.
“The garment will wear out faster,” she explains. “Which means you’ll find yourself back in their store pretty soon to replace it.”
The vast majority of internet users shared the frustration expressed by this woman.
“They probably think we’re stupid and won’t notice,” said one user.
“I’ve started buying more from the men’s section, and the items are generally much more comfortable,” added another. “It’s so frustrating.”
“I’m convinced they make women’s clothes less durable, which forces us to buy more, because women won’t hesitate to go back to the store to buy another one,” wrote a third.
Is the “pink tax” a real phenomenon?
The “pink tax” is a proven consumer issue, but experts distinguish between price differences based on gender and those based on product quality. A 2015 study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs examined nearly 800 products across five industry sectors. It found that women’s products cost more than comparable men’s products in 42% of cases. Overall, women’s products cost an average of 7% more.
The study found that women’s personal care products, clothing, and accessories often carried higher prices. Researchers also noted that manufacturers and retailers may set different prices for similar products based on gendered marketing and consumer demand.
However, this study does not establish that every price difference reflects gender-based discrimination. Product composition, manufacturing processes, and other characteristics can also influence production costs and retail prices.
@elyse9438
Subplot contacted @elyse9438 via private message on TikTok and by email, as well as Abercrombie by email.
The article “A New Jersey Woman Discovers Abercrombie’s New $85 Wool Sweaters. She Then Notices Something Disturbing in the Fabric’s Composition: ‘The Pink Tax Is Ridiculous’” was first published on Subplot News.
A woman from New Jersey discovers Abercrombie sweaters priced at $85. She notices something troubling: “The ‘pink tax’—it’s crazy.”
