Men are routinely getting more wool for their money – are women really paying a pink tax when they buy a jumper?
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It’s officially cosy season. But before you treat yourself to a new wooly jumper, you may want to take a closer look at the care label.
Abercrombie & Fitch is facing a pink tax backlash, sparked by a video on TikTok that highlights the difference between the materials used in menswear and womenswear jumpers that cost the same.
Last month, while browsing the American brand’s site, Rachael Brownfield, a fashion content creator, noticed that it was selling a 100% merino wool jumper in its menswear section for $95 (£71), while a jumper for the same price in the womenswear section consisted of only 30% wool. While the styles of jumpers are different, they were marketed alongside each other in a social media post.
“Pretty weird,” she wrote below a video in which she questioned why a synthetic women’s jumper should cost the same as a men’s jumper made of pure wool. The Guardian has approached Abercrombie & Fitch for comment.
Previous examples of gender-based price disparities, where women’s items cost more than the men’s equivalent, include deodorant, razors and dry-cleaning services.
