To think using such a skinny model is irresponsible?

[Awkwardsis]

yes Next, I'm looking at you
I came across is when I was browsing for some new jeans. Surely noone is actually that thin? And I've been anorexic! Whatever do shops still insist on using such skinny models? And no, this isn't 'thin shaming', I know we all come in different shapes and sizes. Not to add, those jeans are gopping.

People carry their lumps and bumps in different places. Most models no matter what their size, tend not to have lumps and bumps anyway.

Very very true! There's an article in the DM about a plus size model, and she looks amazing. This is mostly because whilst she may be a size 16 she has no belly fat! Even as a size 12 I had a squishy tummy that in some trousers looked like I was smuggling porridge!

"but I would like to see a push wherein the size and whether the shot has been photoshopped is put on a label on the photograph"

Some sites state what size and height the model is, which I find very helpful, especially when looking at skirts/trousers/dresses.

"Some people are naturally thin. Others are naturally larger. It would be nice to see a variety in magazines which reflects the variety in the rest of the population"

That is far too sensible an idea for fashion magazines/sites to contemplate.

@ smuggling porridge!

She doesn't look particularly thin. She does however have unfeasibly long legs.

The inside of her thigh does look badly photoshopped. The outsides of her arms have been left alone, at least - they still have a lovely fuzz of downy hair on them.

It's not a picture that would convince me to buy the jeans, though, since the fabric hangs terribly. They look like they're made of cardboard.

yes her legs are very long

My DD has those jeans in a 6R - they have the distinction of being both too short and too wide in the leg for her (she needs a 4 long built like bambi - no hope) - so I don't think the model looks too thin - she looks like she fits the jeans...

pity the jeans don't fit and look like they were made by someone half-starved and half-asleep. Which I'm afraid they probably were...

as for people not criticising 'lardies', i've seen many a comment about overweight women in leggings...

"as for people not criticising 'lardies', i've seen many a comment about overweight women in leggings..."

True, but leggings aren't a good look unless you are sylph like. I think thoes comments are more about wearing what suits your shape rather than how much you weigh.

I once had a discussion about models and manqqins for friends and we came to the conclusion that stores will use the best body to sell clothes. Photoshopping is a whole other wrong thing.

We also wondered given the technological age, why websites don't have a 'life mannequin'. You input your size and the size you plan to buy. Computer programme gives a rough view on how said clothing will look in you. More representative then any model, regardless of size and shape.

I think expecting them to be responsible is daft, they are there to sell clothes and make a profit.

However I do wonder why clothes retailers still use very slim models whose BMI is much lower than the average woman, wouldn't they sell more clothes if the models looked more like the women who buy them?

sorry but those legs are sticks

I was that slim in my twenties when I smoked! Could eat anyone under the table though

Have gained weight in the thigh area now I'm in my 40's and a non smoker.

Mia, that is an excellent idea.

Suzanne I think it is because they don't want to normalise the fact that we are becoming an obese nation.

Regardless of the fact that the average woman is a 16, it is still too heavy for most women. You would have to be very tall to be a size 16 and remain within the healthy weight limits.

I think its photoshopped but of course you get people that slim. Go down to any athletics track and watch the high jumpers - all healthy and energetic people with that build, tall, slim and healthy not because of extreme dieting but because they are young and active.

Not everyone is compelled to be a size 14/16 because there is this "push" going on to make people of that size think it is the norm and everyone else is "skinny".

I think the advert is interesting because it shows the cut of the jeans sold at Next is so poor that even very tall slim models cannot look good in them without being photoshopped.

Suzanne However I do wonder why clothes retailers still use very slim models whose BMI is much lower than the average woman, wouldn't they sell more clothes if the models looked more like the women who buy them?

I don't want to see size 16 models and I wouldn't buy clothes on that basis. I want to see someone reasonably approaching my own size. If a tall slim model needs to be photoshopped to look good in those jeans, what do you think someone a size 16 would look like? Jeans are a difficult thing to wear well and look good, some people might think they look good in jeans but that might be a matter of personal opinion in a lot of cases.

Bun, next don't care about the wellbeing of the British public, the just want to sell clothes, they have no interest in manipulating our perceptions of what is normal unless doing so would make them more profit.

Yabu - she looks fine. Which is impressive given how awful those jeans are.

Size 16 might be the average UK size but average doesn't meant heathy which a lot of women need to bear in mind.

This is a horrid thread. She's probably 19 and naturally skinny. I was def that thin before I started excersising, now I'm still slim but with more muscle so look a bit curvier which I like. Loads of people are that skinny. This anti run thing is sooooo boring.

Suzanne sorry to keep targeting you, but where do you draw a connection between the health of the British public and using models who have a BMI in the obese range? I don't think not admitting that the UK is becoming increasingly obese and suffering obesity related health problem increases as a result is at all beneficial for the health of anyone.

Anti thin, sorry

Lessmiss, are you saying that next are trying to fool people into thinking that the jeans will look good on the average person.
They don't show them on a size 16 because then it'd be obvious that they are unflattering to women of those proportions.

Why not just make clothes that actually do look good on the average sized woman, wouldn't they make more profit like that?

I know loads of women who are slim or even a bit on the thin side, single women, married women, women with children, women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Me and my friends are all slim and healthy. How do we all know each other? We do sport and exercise and watch our weight. Go down to your local park run or athletics track, instead of your local MacDonalds or Asda, and you will see plenty of slim women who aren't this supposed "average" size 14/16 and who don't suffer from anorexia.

You don't find them sitting at home posting on the internet. Which is in fact enough motivation for me to get off my backside and out for a training run right now.

Suzanne Why not just make clothes that actually do look good on the average sized woman, wouldn't they make more profit like that?

That might be beyond the average designer for Next. In fact, it might be beyond a lot of designers. But its all relative, isn't it? Anyway, off out for a run so I can keep up with the competition at my next race and maybe beat them, instead of obsessing over how someone else looks and how many calories I'm eating.