Plus size retailers, skinny models.

Let me get this out of the way first - I don't hate skinny women. Whenever this topic comes up, someone gets all pissed off and leaves a comment about how much I hate skinny women and that I'm a Mean Fatty. I'm sorry but no, I do not hate skinny women. That would be a little counterproductive to that whole "size acceptance" thing, right? Right. Moving on.

If you've spent time perusing the many and varied plus size retailers on the internet, you'll notice that some of them use straight sized models. I have a major issue with this. Actually, there are a few major issues:

First, it's impractical. The point of using a model is to show how the item of clothing will look on an actual human being, as opposed to a dress form or hanger. That's why models are called "models." It's really hard to imagine how a dress will look on a plus sized body when the model is not plus sized, or anywhere near it.

Second, it looks ridiculous.

Third, and I'm making my own educated guess on this, these retailers believe that their plus size customers don't want to see the clothing on plus size models. Let me restate that - they think that fat people don't want to look at other fat people.

Has fat hatred become so ingrained that fat people really don't want to even look at other fat people? Or are these retailers full of crap and refuse to take a step into realty? Have they heard of market research?

I'm not sure but either way, the logic is stupid. Looking at a fat person wearing an item of clothing that you might want to buy is not going to ruin your self esteem. If anything, you'll be more down when you realize that, um, you don't look that skinny model once you get the clothes on your body.

These retailers are trying to sell a fantasy. This is something all retailers do but it's a little screwed up to sell a fantasy of thinness to fat people when your job is to sell clothes to fat people.

And lest you think that this is limited to women's clothing, check it:

The two pictures above are from catalogs produced by the same company and are generally geared towards an older buyer who may not be ready to look at fat people wearing clothes made for fat people. I'm sure their clothes are great but they need to move past the skinny model days and into the light.

Here's the irony - some of the companies that use skinny models are also the companies that carry the widest range of sizes. Is it better for them to say "Hey, you're fat. Here are some clothes you might want to buy and here are some plus size models to show you how the clothes look on a fat body" or "Hey, you're fat. Here are some clothes you might want to buy but we won't show you how they look on someone within your size range because you're so delusional that you'll believe that these models are just very small fat people."

To be fair, most plus size retailers now use plus size models, even if they are pushing the definition of "plus size." The very nature of models and branding is all based in fantasy but it's nice when the fantasy is at least relevant to my realty, even if just a little bit.

I know some of you out there are thinking "My options are limited and I have few retailers to choose from. What the hell do I do?" I have ideas!

Buy from retailers that use plus size models whenever you can. Some are more daring with their models than others. For instance, b&lu uses models in a wide range of sizes while mass retailers like Lane Bryant stick to a conservative "plus" size. We should congratulate retailers like b&lu and encourage other retailers to follow their lead.

Second, if you're hopelessly devoted to a particular retailer who uses skinny models and you don't want to stop shopping with them, tell their customer service all of the many reasons why they should use plus size models. And make sure to mention how happy you'd be to recommend their products to your friends... if they could get past that whole skinny model thing.

Comments

[Rachel]

The reason advertisers use skinny models to sell plus-sized clothes to fat people is because they think we're stupid. The golden mantra of advertising is that you aren't selling a product, you're selling a dream. Advertisers think that by shilling their clothes using thin models, we will buy into that dream and somehow think that if we buy that size XXL shirt, we, too, would magically look like that size-8 model modeling it.

I don't care about looking like a size-8 model. I want to see how the clothes will realistically look on someone my size.

[CJ_in_VA]

I've gone to large size retailers and asked this very same question before - why don't you use larger people in your advertising? I got the tired old "Well, you(meaning us fatties) don't want to see plus sized models." How completely ridiculous. I'll take the b&lu models, thanks. (What a great b&lu model on the sidebar advertising!!)

[Nicole]

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with someone in charge of store development at a mall. When he asked me where I shopped, I told him that there really isn't much for me in his mall. I am out of the demographic for CJ Banks, and Macy's has some plus sizes but not enough selection. When he asked what my dream store would be, I said Lane Bryant, because for as much as I don't always love it, it is the best place to get basics.

His answer was surprising. He said that they have talked with LB off and on and that their new corporate strategy was not to locate LBs in malls but in stand-alone, strip centers. Their reasoning? Fat women don't want to be seen shopping at LB. Nice.

[Miss Laura Mars]

I remember when Torrid first started, their models had a much wider size range than they do now. And different body types, which I found especially awesome. It really bugs me that they now consistently use models on the smaller end of the scale. So I wrote them an email. And I even got a reply. The reason, they said, that they now use smaller sized models, is that the samples they receive and dress the models in only come in the smallest plus sizes. Of course, if that was the case, why did they use larger models back when they started?

[Meowser]

It's as though someone had a catalogue of bras made for women who were B cups and smaller, and had them modeled by women who wore DD and DDD cups (necessitating that the "model" sizes be custom made to fit the models as they are not available in that size for real).

But if Woman Within (the new name for the Lane Bryant Catalog, which is no longer affiliated with the brick-and-mortar retailer of the same name) claims to have hard financial evidence that their clothes sell better when modeled on women who are 6 foot tall size 8s, I actually believe them. Why? Because putting some of those UGLY-ASS items (like muumuus emblazoned with pictures of dalmations and doggie bones) on a short, fat model would expose them for the UGLY-ASSERY that they are, instead of injecting the touch of "faux glamour" brought to them by 6-foot-tall skinny blondies who so many young, fat girls yearn to resemble.

On me, however, such marketing fooforaw does not work. I am not fooled into thinking I am 6 feet tall and a size 8 by seeing an item of clothing modeled on someone that size. It did not fool me as a size 12 and it especially does not fool me now. I am actually less likely to purchase clothing if worn by models who can't actually wear them IRL. If they can't be bothered hiring real plus-sized models, why don't they just show the garment itself, on a frigging hanger if necessary?

[vesta44]

I agree with meowser. The only things I buy from retailers/catalogs who refuse to show their clothes on plus-size models are slacks and bras because I know how those are going to look on me, in spite of being shown on a thin model (slacks are slacks and the same can be said of bras, once you find a style and size that actually fits). For tops, I know what styles look good on me, and those are the ones I buy, usually from Catherine's clearance racks because I can afford them, and because Catherine's uses plus-size models in their catalog. I look at the websites of the ones who use plus-size models, but I usually don't buy from them because I can't afford $40 or more for a top, or $75 or more for jeans or slacks, and no way can I afford $100 or more for a dress. I have to buy what I can afford, and it has to be worked into my budget, which means maybe, a couple of times a year I can afford new clothes. By that, I mean 2 or 3 tops, and 2 or 3 pairs of slacks/jeans (on sale), and 1 or 2 new bras and undies.

[Rosalee]

I design and create my own line of fashions- Rosalee Womensize Apparel- when you visit my website you will see clothing on plus and large size real women. What good is a plus size fashion shown on a skinny model? I am so glad that many people have commented on this subject, please continue to do business with retailers who use plus and large size models.

[Orodemniades]

I'd love to shop at places that have plus and supersize models. Alas, the wallet can really only afford ebay and Woman Within, with occasional jaunts into the Coldwater Creek and JJill sales sections. (although JJill's style is greatly lacking from a few years ago).

[Sarah]

When I received a Roaman's catalog a couple of months back, I was surprised to see a size four model on the cover. I knew she was a size four, because I'm very familiar with many top models. Going through the Roaman's catalog now, I see ANOTHER small model who was very popular in the early 90s.

[Laura]

I just discovered this blog, and have enjoyed reading the archive. Silhouettes is guilty of doing this a lot, as are several other catalog companies. Even pattern companies do this (I'm a sewer) which is beyond maddening.

I remember reading an article about this issue a few years ago; someone from one of the plus-size catalogs (I want to say Lane Bryant, but I'm not sure) said that they had tried showing the same garment on a larger and a smaller model, and the item pictured on the smaller model consistently sold better. Of course, I have no proof that this is true, but they claimed this is why they used smaller models.

[Carissa]

Mode magazine (RIP) went from bigger models to smaller models, and claimed it was because their newsstand sales were significantly higher with smaller bodies on the cover. Maybe there is something to women of all sizes buying fantasy and not reality.

[Paula Machini]

I just found this article and I agree 100%. I just noticed that today, going onto the Kohl's website. That is so ridiculous and I told them so in an email? I just sent it tonight, so I am waiting to hear back about it. It is really frustrating! I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way!

[Lady Artie]

First...thank you for the inspiration. I feel that sizism is a disease an that since we are not all made alike we need representation for every body size and shape. Primarily I came to this size because of the title "Pretty Pear" I'm a size 18/20 on the bottom and a size 14/16 at the top so buying anything for me in the way of dresses is a true struggle. At 5'2" I have to either have the items shortened or wear it long with an adjusted waist. I learned a long time ago that A-line dresses work best for me and to stick to skirts and blouse combinations. I have to have stream lined pants, although I like the ones with the cargo style pockets and other embelishments. Also thank you to Rosalee for such inspirational fashions. I'd be happy to model for you anytime as a petite plus.

[Marissa]

I just want to inform some people that 6ft does NOT mean skinny. I'm' 5'11" and I'm overweight, and "plus size"
Question: When did 12 become plus size? I'm a size 14, 16, or 18, depending on where I go, and I was wondering, cause D.E.B. has plus sizes now that start at size 12, and I was pretty pissed off to be defined as plus size because I have tried so hard to lose any weight, and to find out that I'm still technically plus size makes me feel like I haven't accomplished anything

[Ulumuri]

The thing that makes this marketing strategy especially brilliant is that I can imagine that blouse would probably look *better* on my size 18 self than on the model. As shown, it looks like a tent - *so* appealing!

[Constance]

Junonia and Making It Big use plus size models in both their websites and catalogs. Making It Big has a wider (no pun intended) variety of sized models. If only their clothing weren't so wrong for my shape.

[Nina Scott-Stoddart]

I so agree with this post. I refuse to shop at silhouettes.com because they refuse to use plus size models. I love igigi (and have spent a ton of money) because their models reflect real life (and their clothes are wonderful).

When I wrote silhouettes asking them why on earth they don't use plus size models, they replied that they didn't think enough people were interested in seeing their clothes on larger models. Total hooey. We're big, not stupid, and we just don't hate ourselves that much.