I think it's because there's so few people left in  XS/S/ single-digit sizes that they aren't even making much for us any more  ; hence the lack of stock and the lack of need to discount prices to move smaller size merchandise :  We find it so hard to find things in our size that we'll pay whatever price they ask  out of lack of alternatives , and they damn well know it . :-(  I buy a lot of classic pieces on Poshmark or ebay, and I take care of what I got that fits . Espevcially footwear. It's getting hard to find shoes smaller than 7 or 8, or boots with calves that aren't ridiculously wide.