Why don’t online models have normal shapes grrrr

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Disappointedly wrapping up 4 dresses from John Lewis to return - all looked horrendous on me but lovely on the models and I was excited to try them on. Why can’t some models have breasts, a tummy, be nearly 60 etc. grrr. They could eg have one perfect model and then a couple of other more normal people wearing the dresses. People’s’ return rates must be so high, unless they are a perfect shape.

I am a normal shape thank you very much.

Ffs.

ive noticed some websites show the clothes on different models with different body shapes and clothes sizes. Perhaps see what those websites are and try that approach.

I shop second hand a lot and generally knows what suits me in terms of necklines and skirt lengths. I generally do quite well so maybe research your shape and then see what clothes flatter that shape. For example a wrap dress on me just makes me look incredibly booby. For many it’s called the dress that flatters everyone but I avoid. A skirt and a top usually work best. V shape necks are a no.

Having a size 6 and a size 26 is not helpful.

It is if you are a 6 or a 26.

Course you are 🙄

It would make the end product more expensive though, more models, longer shoots / production etc

It's very true what you're saying and it's a pain having to return stuff . There's a mother of the bride shop I follow on insta and they have a slim model and a curvy one modelling the clothes side by side that's a brilliant idea . More should copy .

I literally can't remember the last time I bought clothes in person - I buy everything online. I'm a size 16 with an awkward hourglass shape and disproportionately chunky thighs and arms.

I know what suits me though and what I can and can't get away with. For example, long sleeves must be not fitted or a stretch fabric otherwise they're not going to fit my arms.

The economics of processing returns is actually bonkers. So you have a point.

Your thread title is so insulting. Who is to say these women's bodies aren't "normal".

I know everyone hates Shein and so do I BUT I love that people post their pictures wearing items in the reviews and so I get to see what things look like on real people in their living rooms instead of on the tiny waisted, bib boobed, tanned models they use on there!

A size 6/8 is normal. The issue isn’t the clothes.

But it works the other way too. I once bought a dress online because the site showed real-life customer photos of how they wore it. I saw a short fat woman look really gorgeous in a dress I liked and thought: I would look like that because I'm a similar shape and that cut of dress is very flattering.

I dislike how the photos often have their models crouched down or at some sort of angle, so you can’t see the whole of the outfit, length, fit etc. What’s the reason for the quirky angle?

I’ve noticed that some sites are using bigger models in their ‘Curve’ or whatever they choose to call it, ranges. Most websites now have ranges from lots of different manufacturers.

It is a pain to send things back, I agree. Then you usually have the postage deducted from the return and it takes some of them ages to refund you. I ordered a dress from Brand Alley and what arrived what a pair of jeans. In order to get a refund, I had to download a special returns form, attach photos of the order form, the jeans and the label and then take the parcel back to the post office. Then I had to email them three times before they refunded me.

Given that the these clothes are made and sold in these smaller sizes, do you really think that every woman who wears the smaller sizes is starving themselves?

There are more online retailers that show models with different shapes and it can be very helpful when you see someone a similar size to you wearing the clothes.

Using a traditional slim model and then a plus size model isn’t particularly useful for the majority of us I think.

My main gripe with online shopping is more fabric/structure of the clothes. Generally a well structured dress with a non clingy fabric works for me so I can hid the I have had three kids tummy.

And size 16 isn't a healthy size for whom? Because at 5ft 9 and with a frame most rugby players would die for, if I'm any smaller I have zero boobs and am so gaunt in the face people ask me if I'm ill. I also need to literally starve myself to sustain it. If you're 5ft 4 or whatever with huge bum and boobs I imagine it's a completely different story!

Unfortunately, most clothes look DO better on a slimmer figure. (Whether people like to hear that or not.)

Do they? ...or is that just the way we've been conditioned to view beauty in the last century or so?

The idealised woman's shape has changed over the centuries (always determined by male artists or in recent times photographers and editors usually male). Look at Reuben etc.

And I agree with the pp who said that a truly skilled fashion designer ought to be able to design clothes which look as good on curvaceous "average" bodies.

Loads of places show their clothes on a variety of models now. Just buy from that places that do this, then the rest of shops will fall into line.

And I agree with the pp who said that a truly skilled fashion designer ought to be able to design clothes which look as good on curvaceous "average" bodies

but they do. Women in that demographic look great every day. It’s about knowing what suits you

I've noticed La Redoute has added a "try this item on different models" feature to their website now, which I like (I'm not in the UK though, not sure if La Redoute is different there). They have a selection of models of different sizes, shapes, heights and skin tones, and you can put the clothes on them virtually. Obviously the clothes don't hang or anything but it's pretty clever software and does give you a better idea of how it might look.

Monki do this too. As well as showing the clothes on different size models. They're mid price clothes so hopefully prove that it's possible to use more than one model w/o it costing the earth.

Tbf the generalisation usually uses average and at 5.9 you are well above 5.4 avearage height for uk women.
So generally size 16 is not healthy. There are always exceptions, like you, but honestly all threads would just be full of "bar exceptions of course ". People usually think about the most common bit.

True. A John Lewis brand’s 6/8 tends to be everyone else’s 12-14.

Yet people bitched and complained when Snag tights used plus size models to advertise their tights and underwear.

I think I just get hacked off with being told I'm big therefore unhealthy 😅 I literally cannot be any smaller than my stupid ribcage allows!