And when it comes to black-tie events, men can wear the same tuxedo again and again. Where woman pay more for comparable items, market forces are partially to blame . For retailers, if you stock white shirts for men, you know that if you don't sell them this month, you'll probably sell them next month. Clothing manufacturers also say the fabric, cut and construction of women's garments drive up costs. Even when it comes to itsy-bitsy bikinis.
Most designers tend to incorporate more innovative and technical fabrics in women's swimwear.
Another factor is the more complex design. But some differences seem hard to justify . Take dry cleaning. In 1996, California became the first state to outlaw gender-based pricing for services. But the practice still hasn't been eradicated.