Clothes Shopping

[OldOrMaybeNotThatOld]

So Im not even slightly overweight but I always struggle to buy clothes that I actually like. I always look at the models online and think that the outfit is nice but if I had to buy the whole thing I just know it wouldnt look the same on me.

So I end up wearing the same thing pretty much everyday ... Jeans and a 'nice' top. Invariably the top is a loosish t-shirt or a tightish vest.

I am a size 10 (34) and the only conclusion I can get when I compare what the clothes look like on the models vs what they look like on me is that they are definitely ALOT smaller than a size 10...
Eg - I love the simplicity of this outfit but it just would never look like that on me.

Its jeans and a plain t-shirt. Why wouldn't it look like that on you?

The straight size models often are indeed a size 8 (or a 6 that can fit an 8, if it’s pinned a bit) for online commercial work.

The thing is that they’re an 8 at 5’8” or above with proportions that are usually very uniform. They’re also younger than you think. It’s very different from someone who is 5’4”, 34 and a high street size 8.

I would either buy everything in person so you can try on, or do a haul of items from a particular site to check fit, and then send back what doesn’t work in one go. Then when you’ve an idea of how that site’s sizing works, you’re in a much better position.

Also, don’t compare yourself to the models. They’ve had hair and make up done, lighting, clothes often pinned to fit well, good posing. Plus they’re already tall, thin and toned. It isn’t a fair comparison. They are part of the “product”, showing off the item in its best possible light.

Yes, the models are size 6 or 8 and probably at least 5 foot 9.

Also make up, lighting and airbrushing/retouching of the image.

Even the model won't look like the photo IRL so anyone of more average proportions has no chance. Surely you know this?

I think height makes a difference too.

I’m a size 14-16 and look shite compared to the 6ft models who are also 14-16

So clothes tend to look better on models? Well, no shit Sherlock. If we all only wore things that look as good on us as they do on the model in the image used to sell them, well we'd all be a bit chilly. It doesn't mean we shouldn't wear those clothes though. Comparison is the thief of joy and all that ...

The models used to photograph the clothes are tall and definitely a size 6 or 8. The description of the model's outfit says they wear a size 10. That clearly isn't the model's usual size so the outfit is pinned or they are wearing the smaller size anyway.
I ignore the photo of the model most of the time. Only use it to check the length of a dress or skirt. (If it's mid thigh on them it'll be knee length for me. I'm short.)

Did you never wander around an art gallery or browse a book of portraits? Human beings have been wearing clothes for thousands of years, and most of them didn't look like a twentieth /early twenty first century Westernised ideal of female perfection. And yet painters, poets, novelists, have celebrated those women.

I think it's a shame you've been .. finessed into believing there's only one way to be. Why can't you buy beautiful clothes to dress you?

Clothes nearly always look different on models, that's fairly standard isn't it?