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Original poster

To wonder why 'thin is in'?

282 replies

loverofchoc · 24/03/2017 20:33

DH and I were discussing this with a group of friends earlier today - why are all models now expected to be so thin?

Normally, nobody finds it attractive (obviously bar a few exceptions). The majority of men prefer at least some moderate feminine curves and the majority of females feel slightly sick looking at a really clinically underweight model. It's extremely damaging for these women who starve themselves to be in that profession and surely we'd all be more persuaded to buy stuff if the person modelling it looked happy and healthy...

I don't mean naturally skinny like some people who struggle to gain weight Envy. I mean really, really, anorexic thin like a supermodel.

Any theories?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
floraeasy · 26/03/2017 09:11

In the 1920s, women were desperate to have boyish figures and dieted like crazy and even bound their breasts down to look flat-chested.

In the 1960s, Twiggy's measurements were 32-22-32. She was a waif!

Nothing new about it!

The majority of men prefer at least some moderate feminine curves

Whether they do or not, haute couture is not marketed at men.

the majority of females feel slightly sick looking at a really clinically underweight model

Paris Fashion Week is packed-out and it's women who are buying all these clothes and then again later when they are filtered to the high street. Generally speaking, women buy a lot more clothing than men, so it's certainly not putting them off in any way.

Nowadays, in the affluent West, thinness is associated with being wealthy and aspirational. Clothes hang well on very slim figures. Same reason the models need to be tall.

Disclaimer: I, myself, am fat Grin

InvisibleKittenAttack · 26/03/2017 09:29

They might not be naturally "that thin" - but frankly, the clothes aren't made for each model. They make the clothes first, then the models need to fit them, if they don't then they cast a different model to walk in that outfit. Tailored outfits are only for the 2/3 'big names' in each show.

It's a little 'chicken and egg' - because most models have set measurements, samples for the catwalk shows are made to those measurements in advance of casting the models. (remember, most of these designs will never be put into full productions, only 2/3 of each style will ever be made, it's not like a high street shop's show where all the styles walked will be made in a range of sizes.)

But because model agencies know a model won't get cast unless she can fit into the sample clothes, they are told to slim to meet those measurements. They aren't be cruel, but realistic about what work you can get if you aren't small enough to wear the clothes available.

Remember the hoo ha when Vogue wanted to style plus sized Ashley Graham for the cover and complained they couldn't get clothes? The designers pointed out they were being unfair, Vogue wanted to borrow the sample clothes that had been used in the show - fine, but then obviously the sample clothes are sample clothes sized. If Vogue wanted to commission one of those styles made to Ashley's size, they needed to give more notice so an extra dress in that size could be made - and that would have to be paid for if it's not just borrowing a frock already made. While many of those clothes would be put into production in Graham's size, they weren't going to be ready to be borrowed 6 months in advance of them being in the shops, only the samples are made that far in advance, so fashion mags need to use models that fit them if they want to do the photo shoots in advance, and the whole thing continues....

Trainspotting1984 · 26/03/2017 09:33

I know kitten I was responding to the poster who said catwalk models are naturally thin

Lweji · 26/03/2017 10:06

Male models are of a fairly standard size too and there's no hint of beer belly among them, although I don't think I've seen any that are extremely thin.

FindoGask · 26/03/2017 10:26

velourvoyager I'm not sure I buy that. You mean, if we weren't all so concerned with looking pretty and wearing nice clothes, we'd be busy smashing the patriarchy instead? I doubt it.

Perhaps I need to read the book.

NightWanderer · 28/03/2017 00:36

I knew a guy who did some catwalk modeling. He was very sporty and naturally thin, very low body fat, but he didn't diet for the modeling.

The problem with female modeling is that non-models are getting bigger but sample sizes are getting smaller. Thin is not thin enough, they have to be extremely thin. The models of 20 years ago wouldn't be able to fit into the clothes worn today. Women who are naturally thin are told they are too big and must lose weight.

I know a guy whose sister did some modeling and she was tiny but still told her thighs were too big, she needed to stop playing sports and eat less. She ended up a terrible mess with bulimia. It's very, very common in today's modeling world that the models end up with eating disorders and drug problems.

HelenaDove · 28/03/2017 00:51
Sad
PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 05:46

The problem with female modeling is that non-models are getting bigger but sample sizes are getting smaller. Thin is not thin enough, they have to be extremely thin. The models of 20 years ago wouldn't be able to fit into the clothes worn today.

This I think is a key point. If there's no chance of resembling what's held up as the ideal why not have another cake?

In the 90s whilst you knew you weren't going to look like cindy you could aim for a figure like her'S - the concept of any of today's catwalk models putting out an exercise video is risible

ithakabythesea · 28/03/2017 06:27

I used to know a bloke in the 80s who did male modelling (I am quite old) and he had an eating disorder. The fashion industry doesn't discriminate in that respect. He wasn't a buff chiselled model but a long string bean with amazing cheekbones and big soulful eyes. And a shed load of baggage.

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 07:06

Oh for sure it happened - as pp said look at twiggy - but it didn't seem to be as ubiquitous as it us now and the proper supers looked closer to a normal weight

MaisyPops · 28/03/2017 07:40

There's a huge difference between being slim and being skinny, if your collar bone is standing out you're too thin
Well that's me out. Though seriously how ridiculous.

People will often say very overweight people are beautiful. Clearly it doesn't work both ways.
It doesnt work both ways.

People can be beautiful in a range of shapes and sizes. But its very convenient for people who are masisvely overweight to have a pop at slim and skinny prople because it probably makes them feel better about themselves.
Make any comment about being seriously overweight and you get shot down with "but exercissinh is tough, they already havr low self esteem, theres probably a medical reason, theres probably a mental heapth reason, all kinds of reasons why nobody should comment because we dont know the full story' You cant suggest eating less and exervising more either
But someone's slim and its all 'you promote eating disorders', 'men like curves' etc
Skinny person rant over

robinia · 28/03/2017 07:52

Most men prefer women of about 9 stone ish or at least not under 8 stone as that gets a bit too skinny. Up to and over 10 stone can look a bit over weight but obviously is not unhealthy.

What complete and utter tosh. At 5'6", anything up to 11st2 is healthy and for an athletic women with high muscle to fat ratio even heavier will not look overweight.

And as for most men prefer......

roarityroar · 28/03/2017 18:49

This is not meant to be a twatty question. I promise.

As someone who is 5"4 and naturally a 6-8 despite eating everything, i don't understand how size 14 ever actually healthy for someone who isn't about 6 foot?

It's pretty large in today's sizes. Most shops I go to I need a size 6 and I'm not particularly skinny, can only see my ribs when I stretch my arms up. How can 14 be a healthy weight?

roarityroar · 28/03/2017 18:50

Sorry, healthy size, if not VERY tall

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 19:02

People are different shapes. Maybe you have broad shoulders or big boobs.
As I mentioned up thread my bmi was well into the healthy category and I was still a 14 in the odd shop.

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 19:03

Oh and at the time you could see the bones in the front of my chest all the time and my ribs if I stuck my arms up.

roarityroar · 28/03/2017 19:15

But BMI is utter crap. I'm a 30E and not short and still 6-8. I just don't understand how 4/5 sizes bigger is healthy unless very tall and I know it sounds goady and I'm sorry for that I just don't get it.

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 19:23

30e is the same cup volume as a 34a so not particularly big busted (as it happens I'm not either but some ladies are).
I've never been as low as a 6-8 because of my frame but I have been so thin that my periods stopped and my hair was falling out, and I started having seizures. I was an 8-10 then but presumably you wouldn't claim I was a healthy weight?

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 19:24

34b sorry not a. Was forgetting dd

VladmirsPoutine · 28/03/2017 19:25

In my honest, personal view. I've always felt most confident at my thinnest. I do think that thinner people generally look better. It's not about what men want or find 'sexy'. It's just what looks better in clothes and in general. I've been at both ends of the spectrum and can honestly say that thinner is better.

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 19:30

I agree to a point VP. When I was at my thinnest I didn't have any confidence or male attention.
But I think it depends on how you lose weight. Some people's faces look better when they're fuller figured (mine doesn't). Also can depend on your boobs - mine are always the first thing to go, so blokes into big boobs won't fancy me at my slimmest. There's a delightful period when I'm a little overweight when I have a fat face and no boobs. That's a joy all round obviously

TipToeTuesday · 28/03/2017 19:42

I was on holiday recently and a photo shoot was taking place.
IRL the model, although very pretty, was terribly thin but when I saw the pictures she looked stunning and not at all emaciated.

roarityroar · 28/03/2017 20:08

34a is same as 30DD? No, that's just bad bar fitting

PetalMettle · 28/03/2017 20:19

I said it was the same cup volume. It's the same over bust measurement.

WhooooAmI24601 · 28/03/2017 20:24

Roar I'm a 12/14 and you can see my ribs if I put my arms up, too. I've got broad shoulders, broad hips and don't carry much fat or weight around my midriff. My hip bones are visible and my stomach flat. Two children mean my hips are broader than before but even at a size 10 I had broad shoulders and hips. It's how I'm physically built. Surely it's possible that my body is simply broader than yours without meaning I'm overweight or unhealthy?