I DO think that more shops should stock smaller bikes - at least one for each bike style. It is really hard to have to commit to something before you have a chance to try it on for size. That has nothing to do with being a woman and everything to do with being short. I am sure that some men would appreciate that as well... It is a hard balance. It is understandable why they don't want to stock the smaller sizes that have a smaller market. The ideal would be if they could work something out with their sources so they could perhaps return the smaller sizes if they are ordered and it turns out the bike doesn't fit. Not all WSD sizes even come small enough (as I learned with my old Trek FX)

As far as clothing size is concerned, there isn't consistency with street clothes sizing so there isn't a surprise that this is an issue here. Of course bike clothes, by their nature, are meant to fit differently which doesn't help.