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Original poster

To Expect Relatable Models When Shopping Online?

53 replies

JustHavinABreak · 02/07/2023 11:56

This has probably been done to death so apologies if this is repetitive. My life circumstances are such that I very rarely have the opportunity to shop for clothes on the high street, and instead I do it online.

My grip is this: Why are most of the models 5'10 and a size 6/8? I'm a size 14 and 5'4. Not skinny but not massive either. Fully accept that I should drop a size but at my age, I'm very unlikely to become a size 6 amd almost certainly not going to grow another 6 inches.

How an item of clothing looks, hangs or sits on an unattainable body is no indication of how it would look on me.

Are you all supermodels or so you all just know some secret that I don't??

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 02/07/2023 12:03

So you want models for every single conceivable body shape? As that is what would be needed to qualify

kitsuneghost · 02/07/2023 12:04

Should have 9 models

5ft skinny/med/fat
5ft5 skinny/med/fat
5ft10 skinny/med/fat

PrueRamsay · 02/07/2023 12:06

The thing is, the company is trying to sell the clothes.

They know that people are more likely to buy an item if it’s on a slim tall model.

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/07/2023 12:08

There are too many heights/weights/body shapes/ages to provide photos for everyone.

I do wish non high-end fashion would use more average models though tbh - maybe 5'6" and size 12 or something like that.

Nepmarthiturn · 02/07/2023 12:11

I think this will become easier with technology. Websites will be able to make an avatar of your body shape/ measurements and show a picture of how an item might fit you.

Ultimately they aren't going to do photos on ten different models so whomever they choose will not be "relatable" to some people. They choose the models they do because they are the most versatile and look good in most outfits.

ExtraOnions · 02/07/2023 12:13

I’m fat … so shop on fat sites … so many times they advertise clothes on 10/12 model - which is off Bob-all use.

WestwardHo1 · 02/07/2023 12:13

You're right, this has been done a lot - not that it stops anyone starting a new thread I suppose. Opinion is heatedly divided on the subject. The last thread had a few really nasty posts in which small chested women were sneered at. It wasn't nice.

While it's improving - e.g. Fat Face are now using fatter models as well as their slimmer ones - it was suggested that more reviews in which people upload photos of themselves in the clothes would be useful.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 02/07/2023 12:13

If the models were size 14 and 5'4 I wouldn’t know how the clothes would fit me.

GrethaGoat · 02/07/2023 12:14

I sort of agree with you, but at the same time I know that I scroll past the larger models as the clothes don’t look as nice. I am a size 8-10 so slim, but also very short so clothes don’t look the same on me as the models either. Have had to send back some maxi dresses in my time 😆

Nepmarthiturn · 02/07/2023 12:14

They also want to show the clothes in the best light. It's like somewhere selling furnishings: the photos of a lamp or rug or sofa will be in a nicely furnished, spacious house, not an average house with clutter everywhere and cramped rooms etc.

electriclight · 02/07/2023 12:15

I have often thought it would be marvellous to see an item of clothing on a model of roughly your own body shape. I wonder if AI might make that feasible.

Until then I think most of us just have to use our imagination based on previous experience - we know which necklines, hemlines, dress shapes etc usually work for us (or don't) I guess.

ChristmasJumpers · 02/07/2023 12:19

kitsuneghost · 02/07/2023 12:04

Should have 9 models

5ft skinny/med/fat
5ft5 skinny/med/fat
5ft10 skinny/med/fat

This would be fine but there are so many body shapes within that! I am size 10/12 on top (bigger boobs and belly) and size 8/10 bottoms. They'll never make models in an apple shape like me as well as all the other shapes people are. Even bigger models and mannequins tend to be hourglass or straight up and down. Big bellies don't sell clothes unfortunately

Oldraver · 02/07/2023 12:22

Several of the websites I've looked at show two versions a standard industry 8 ish and a larger version

kitsuneghost · 02/07/2023 12:24

If I saw the clothes on a model my size I would never buy anything.

OriginalUsername2 · 02/07/2023 12:26

Nice idea but logistically impossible. AI is starting to help with this though, mock-up technology is improving.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 02/07/2023 12:28

While it's improving - e.g. Fat Face are now using fatter models as well as their slimmer ones - it was suggested that more reviews in which people upload photos of themselves in the clothes would be useful.

Yes. I’ve bought dresses before because there was a picture of another buyer wearing them, and a specification that she was almost my height. At 4’11 it makes a bloody big difference!

BusyInTheGarden · 02/07/2023 12:31

I want to see them on taller than 5ft 10 though

You are not including everyone

Also, skinny? FAT? How are you measuring that then? Confused

fudgepie12 · 02/07/2023 12:34

When they use relatable models I am less likely to buy it, Joanie for example, I will see the slim model and think that looks great, then I see it on the plus size I don't always like it as much, as I'm closer to the plus size model (size 12 currently) than the slim one it puts me off. Probably daft and shallow, sometimes it looks great on both, but as I am wanting to get back to my slim self I haven't yet accepted a bigger size to accept dressing for it.

BashfulClam · 02/07/2023 12:36

Ok but I’m 5’9’’ and a size 16 so totally different from you. They can’t be relatable to all women.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/07/2023 12:52

fudgepie12 · 02/07/2023 12:34

When they use relatable models I am less likely to buy it, Joanie for example, I will see the slim model and think that looks great, then I see it on the plus size I don't always like it as much, as I'm closer to the plus size model (size 12 currently) than the slim one it puts me off. Probably daft and shallow, sometimes it looks great on both, but as I am wanting to get back to my slim self I haven't yet accepted a bigger size to accept dressing for it.

Their standard model is a size 10. Their 'larger' model is a size 16. You are closer to the 10 in every sense.

Original poster
JustHavinABreak · 02/07/2023 13:00

WandaWonder · 02/07/2023 12:03

So you want models for every single conceivable body shape? As that is what would be needed to qualify

Good Lord 😆Oh course not! But rather than use only one "type" how about two or three for variety?

OP posts:
Original poster
JustHavinABreak · 02/07/2023 13:01

This would be the ideal but hardly likely to happen. I wish YOU were in charge of such things 😀

OP posts:
Original poster
JustHavinABreak · 02/07/2023 13:02

Never thought of that. I'd love it!

OP posts:
PeachesOnTheBeaches · 02/07/2023 13:02

They want models that look the best to model their clothes. That’s why pretty much all models are tall and slim.

fudgepie12 · 02/07/2023 13:07

@NeverDropYourMooncup not when I'm big busted, (most) things never look the same on big chested women vs slim small chested women, even if you have a small waist.