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Economics of vanity sizing

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  • Franz, Wan-Ju Iris

Abstract

This paper examines the size charts of 54 American apparel retailers. Evidence reveals that sizes are inflated for women's apparel brands with moderately higher prices. Very expensive designer brands measure significantly smaller than lower priced brands for women's apparel. Brands that target young adult female consumers measure significantly smaller than their counterparts that target relatively older consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Franz, Wan-Ju Iris, 2017. "Economics of vanity sizing," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 336-355.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:134:y:2017:i:c:p:336-355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2017.01.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wee, C.C. & Phillips, R.S. & Legedza, A.T.R. & Davis, R.B. & Soukup, J.R. & Colditz, G.A. & Hamel, M.B., 2005. "Health care expenditures associated with overweight and obesity among us adults: Importance of age and race," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(1), pages 159-165.
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    3. Chou, Shin-Yi & Grossman, Michael & Saffer, Henry, 2004. "An economic analysis of adult obesity: results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 565-587, May.
    4. Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky, 2013. "Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision Under Risk," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Leonard C MacLean & William T Ziemba (ed.), HANDBOOK OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING Part I, chapter 6, pages 99-127, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    5. Maximilian D. Schmeiser, 2009. "Expanding wallets and waistlines: the impact of family income on the BMI of women and men eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(11), pages 1277-1294, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ketron, Seth & Williams, Miranda, 2018. "She loves the way you lie: Size-related self-concept and gender in vanity sizing," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 248-255.
    2. Li Gao & Yingdan Mei & Xiaohan Yang & Congyu Zhao & Daimeng Li, 2021. "Vanity and food waste: Empirical evidence from China," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 1211-1225, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Vanity sizing; Size inflation; Reference-dependent preferences; Framing; Consumer behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M3 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations

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