To wonder why 'thin is in'?

[loverofchoc]

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 . I mean really, really, anorexic thin like a supermodel.

Any theories?

SuperBeagle she said it herself....

Thin is in for women because it belies more than a modicum of self restraint.

Apparently this is a good thing

Also poor people tend to be fat and the fashion industry is very similar to MN in its crushing disdain for the lower classes.

Thin is shorthand for compliant and middle class 😉

Beans There's nothing wrong with her body at all.

ilikebeans "ordinary women" as you put in come in ALL shapes and sizes.

SuperBeagle the poster never said their was anything wrong with it. Just that she doesn't represent the average shopper.

That stripe dress is hideous, I can't imagine anybody would wear that.

It's true that you don't see many catwalk models as "big" as Cindy Crawford now. She was genuinely a healthy weight - and still looks fantastic (and healthy) now.

Dunno...the most well-known models are not that super thin actually. You don't see Cara whatshername or that Jagger girl's ribs protruding. I think it's the no-name catwalk models who are expected to be anorexic looking. The tops probably eat properly. You have to eat and nourish yourself to look good.

the poster never said their was anything wrong with it. Just that she doesn't represent the average shopper.

The "average shopper" is now a size 14. Overweight. How is encouraging that sort of weight any different from Chanel using size 0 models? You're saying one is wrong and should be replaced with the other. Neither is healthy.

(But the models at M&S are not size 0s).

At 60, I'm not thin, nor am I fat. I am a fairly standard mesomorph. I hate seeing really obese people as they look unhealthy, but I like anorexics even less. Anything between size 6 and 20 seems a sensible range, depending on height.

reuset - it truly is, isn't it!!?!

I think the M+S thing is less about size than it is about age. You could argue why are M+S using an early-twenties model? Certainly isn't representative of their target demographic.

@superbeagle it's perfectly possible to be a size 14 and not overweight

it's perfectly possible to be a size 14 and not overweight

It's also perfectly possible to have visible ribs/collarbones/hip bones and not be anorexic.

I like those companies that say 'the model in the photo is 5 ft 8 and wears a size 8 / size 10'. I find that helpful. And it reassures me that they are enviable but healthy.

Super - maybe not size 0 but they lo0k size 6 - 8. Size 0 is UK 4 isn't it?

Most M and S shoppers are not size 6 - 8

She isn't the only M and S model. There's an older dark haired one with a dress literally hanging off her.

They all make Twiggy look fat and dumpy.

maybe not size 0 but they lo0k size 6 - 8. Size 0 is UK 4 isn't it?

What's wrong with a size 6-8?

A size 0 in the US would be closer to a size 6, in my experience. Strictly speaking, it should be the equivalent of a 4, but it's not.

I explicitly said that visible collarbones wasn't a good indicator of weight up thread. But I assumed by your saying "size 14. Overweight". you were suggesting all size 14s were overweight?

I think it's worth remembering that anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. People suffering from it have a skewed view of their body shape.

ps am size 12 with sticky out collar bone!

you were suggesting all size 14s were overweight?

Most are. I'm 5'8" and if I was a size 14, I would definitely be overweight.

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and short : don't get me started on how hard it is to get clothes...

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