Why are girls' clothes always made shorter?

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

This episode is brought to you by Nordstrom.

For 125 years, Nordstrom has been part of your story. The stylist who found the perfect outfit for your big interview. The first pair of walking shoes for your one-year-old. The tomato soup you shared with your sister at the cafe. These are the moments that make Nordstrom, Nordstrom. Big or small, we're here for all of it. Celebrating 125 years with new moments still ahead. Discover it all in Nordstrom stores and at nordstrom.com.

Parenting unlocks some pretty impressive skills, like carrying grocery bags, a soccer ball, and a sleepy kid all at once. Good thing the newly designed Chrysler Pacifica has a few tricks of its own. Hands-free power sliding doors and lift gate, rear seat entertainment, and still and go seating and storage that adapts faster than your family's weekend plans. Visit chrysler.com to learn more. Chrysler is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

SPEAKER_2 (1:05)

Why are girls' clothes always made shorter?

Thanks for asking. The difference between girls' and boys' clothes can start surprisingly early, even before adolescence. In 2022, a German data journalist and her team analyzed more than 20,000 items of clothing for children under 10, sold by major online retailers. They found that on average, girls' clothes were 6 cm shorter than boys' and much more likely to be close fitting. But why when young children's bodies are so similar? According to the researchers, it comes down to fashion and social expectations. Girls are often dressed to look cute or stylish, while boys' clothes tend to prioritize comfort and freedom of movement. In that sense, gender stereotypes can start to take shape through something as simple as the cut of a child's clothes. And can that really have an impact? Yes, the issue goes beyond clothes. Research cited in the study suggests that children absorb ideas about gender from a very young age. One survey found that a quarter of girls aged 7 to 10 said sexist comments made them feel less free to behave as they wanted, while 72% said they were already concerned about their appearance. And it's not just about the cut of the clothes. Color plays a role too. Around half of the tops sold in the girls' section are pink, while blue dominates the boys' section.

Even the messages on t-shirts can differ. Love appears more than 200 times on girls' clothes, compared with around 70 times on boys' clothes. And Dreamer, 41 on girls' clothes, compared with just once on boys' clothes. Conversely, boys' clothes feature action-oriented messages. For example, the word surf appears 139 times on their clothes.

So, what can parents do?

One simple option is to look beyond traditional girls' and boys' sections, and choose clothes based on what children actually like and need, rather than their gender. And according to psychologist Nadia Ghani, there is another part of the equation, parents. We all absorb gender stereotypes, sometimes without realising it. So if a boy wearing a princess dress makes us uncomfortable, it may say more about our own expectations than about what the child is wearing. Because clothes may seem like a small thing, but the message they can send can start surprisingly early. There you have it.

Now you know why girls' clothes are always made shorter. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts, and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along, and you really will know for sure.

SPEAKER_3 (3:52)

We just moved into our new house, and I didn't realize just how close we were to the neighbors. That's when my friend told me about blinds.com.

SPEAKER_4 (4:00)

blinds.com isn't a medication, but it can improve how you feel about your home. Customers who shop at blinds.com experience excellent customer service, from consultation to installation. Side effects include increased privacy and better sleep. Talk to your partner today and see if blinds.com is right for you.

SPEAKER_5 (4:17)

Visit blinds.com now to save up to 50 percent off-site-wide during our annual fall blowout sale.

SPEAKER_3 (4:22)

In this life, you can't win.

SPEAKER_6 (4:24)

When the world gets you down.

SPEAKER_5 (4:25)

No.

SPEAKER_6 (4:26)

Escape to Pluto TV.

SPEAKER_3 (4:27)

This is objectively fantastic.

SPEAKER_6 (4:29)

Relax into the movies and shows you already know and love all for free. Swing. Even our news is uplifting. You stay classy, San Diego. Watch School of Rock, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The X-Files, Wayne's World, and so much more.

The best things on TV really are free.

SPEAKER_2 (4:46)

You just have to know where to look.

SPEAKER_6 (4:48)

Escape to Pluto TV. Stream now, pay never.