Size 16 Mannequins in Debenhams

[calamitygin]

unveiled yesterday ... is no-one talking about this??? Or have I just missed the boat (as usual)

[sherazade]

what is the big deal with mannequins?
I'm a size 6 (well, a size 4 but since most retailers don't do a 4 i'm resigned to wearing clothing thats far too big) and at 5 feet tall , the current size 8-10 mannequins are already too big. I dont glance at them and don't even feel like shopping anymore when nothing fits. I buy online so mannequins are irrelevant to my size sector

[MillyRules]

he he!!! The big titty mannequins are hilarious aren't they and people on here are complaining about size 16 mannequins.

[calamitygin]

I like the look of your app ...android here though. You need to do a massive push on twitter good luck

wtf @bigtittymannequins

[Cristinaholm]

Cannot believe those Venezuelan mannequins... Imagine her back trouble in real life! LOL

By the way, I emailed Mumsnet to see if they would feature my app. They kindly responded very quickly, however unfortunately they cannot help. I did offer to provide some content for the site and appear on ShopTalk, however it appears it all needs to be generated via the Forums.

They did suggest I contact their sales department for other ways to promote the app, however I guess that's advertising revenue they want.... Disappointed, but commercial reality. Always easier when you are an established, big business. Surprised in that Mumsnet was a small business once upon a time, but hey ho...

So... I'll just keep my fingers crossed that I can get the support of a few forums and push along that way.

Thank you Milly and GBT for your encouraging feedback. It's definitely motivating and very much appreciated.
Cx

[GrandstandingBlueTit]

Actually, while we are on the subject of clothes and shops. I resent paying the same for a size 8/10 top and seeing the same top in a size 16/18 for the same price.
I reckon smaller sizes should be cheaper.

I'm sure you're 'just joking', but wow, that comment really doesn't paint you in a great light.

I'm a size 8/10 and it's never even occurred to me to be bitter because people bigger than me pay the same price for their clothes.

The bottom line is that unless you buy haute couture, the clothes you buy are never going to be quite right.

I'm 5"9.5' and smaller sizes all seem to be designed for short people. The waists are slightly too high, the bottoms of jackets finish at the wrong place, and sleeves are too short.

They make one design and then adapt them slightly for the bigger sizes, but it's never right, never in proporrtion, either for tall people, or bigger people.

Cristina - you site looks fab. :) Can't wait 'til you get an iPad app.

[MillyRules]

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2493557/How-super-store-mannequins-implant-shaped-breasts-redefining-Venezuelas-idea-normal-body-shape.html


GOT TO BE BETTER THAN THESE DUMMIES!!!!!!

[MillyRules]

Hi Cristinaholm....the site looks great.....Good Luck with it. Unfortunately Im on Android. I know all about the price markup on clothing......its terrible. I used to run a little boutique selling brands like Part Two, Jackpot, White Stuff to name a few and the price we paid was far different to the price we sold them at. At least 3 times the cost price.
The reason i asked about your shape was that i though you might be an hourglass. You have obviously balanced your shape really well.

[Cristinaholm]

Sorry - yes that's me in the video! Cx

[Cristinaholm]

Hi Milly,

I'm a pear shape... just like my mum... All in the genes! Petite too.

I've gone through life without ever being able to buy a pair of trousers that fit (without alteration!) Thankfully my mum was (and remains) a great seamstress.

Hopefully I can develop how I share my advice in due course. I feel bad I cannot share it on all devices and on the web, however the cost is just prohibitive. My fingers are just crossed that I get some press coverage and the app is successful enough to develop further.

What I've designed is totally unbiased. Which I think is key. The only issue with this is I cannot benefit from advertising links, so I'm counting on women using it.

Major butterflies but exciting all the same. Cx

[Cristinaholm]

Regarding posts discussing whether charging more for larger garments is fair or not... The actual cost of the garment is small within the overall price you pay.

Most retailers charge 300% to 400% above their costs. For example, if the cost of garment (inc. manufacture), is £10, retail sales price would be around £40 to £50. More if it is a brand, as you are paying for their expensive advertising on top.

Even when you see the 20%+ sale offers, you can be rest assured they are still making a good margin.

If you doubt my comments, do a quick google search to see how much you need to pay for a t-shirt from a supplier in China. You will need to order in bulk, however you'll be amazed at the low price quoted!

Even if the garment was double the fabric, the difference in price would only be a £ or two.

All the best. Cx

[MillyRules]

Cristina shame there is no online version. Is that you in the video? If so what shape would you say your are out of curiosity?

[JuneauWhoIAm]

Milly, most boutiques I would shop in don't go past a size 14 so I imagine more specialist size boutiques would charge a premium alright.

I was talking high street/department stores for my earlier example.

[Strumpetron]

FGS as 16 is the average size it is by definition normal so it's tough. Moralise away but most people are around about a size 16 so why not show the clothes on models that size? Are you saying that people should be hidden away if they venture over a size 12?

Right so with your logic, if we carry on the way we are going weight wise and size 20 is the 'norm' in a few years - mannequins should be like that too? Regardless of health issues this goes against?

I have not once said people should be hidden away if they are over a size twelve, don't put words into my mouth. I'd be hiding myself away for one

What I am saying is just because it is the norm now doesn't mean it is right and it shouldnt automatically become 'accepted'. People should be able to get nice clothes to wear whatever their size, they shouldn't be hidden away no, but this way of thinking 'oh most people are like this now therefore it must be okay' is inherently wrong. How do we expect future generations to know what is and what isn't healthy if we keep altering to what suits us?*


*by the way I am fully aware there are size 16 people who are not overweight, and are healthy, as do I know that a lot of slim people are unhealthy.. we should have a median model.

[kaumana]

Louwn I agree with what you say re "modern" sizes. A size 8 is not tiny, though back in my teenage years it would have been as it was the smallest size available and none of us young skinny things would have got into a pair of size 8 jeans. The norm was a 10/12

However, I would like to see more measurements being used ie waist 28 hips 34 etc so that online shopping is easier.

[louwn]

juanfanjo
How on earth is a size 8 too slim? Especially a modern size 8. I am this size in most shops and I look toned and healthy, exercise several times a week and eat a good, varied diet including the rubbish. There is no way on earth you would look at me and think I looked anorexic!

[kaumana]

kid It would be interesting to see what height,hips, waist size the mannequins are. Does anyone know?

TBH I would rather see this rather than a size which as we all know varies from store to store and often within stores.

[Pipparivers]

juneau if it makes you feel any better, manufacturers often don't quote a different price for larger garments until they get to size 20/22 plus. But where they do, I agree the customer should pay the premium.

[MillyRules]

Sizing nowdays depends upon which shop you are in. Some size small, some size big. Just a case of trying on what you like and to hell with the size on the tag.

[MillyRules]

It is the average, size 16. Its not wrong, its just a size. Doesn't make a woman fat, just makes her a dress size 16. So what if some people are overweight and don't fit your idea of "normal". People do come in all shapes and sizes and some people are naturally bigger than others and may even eat less. It is what it is.
Its not nice that women are judging other women by their size. Size 16 is fine and its not obese. Nothing wrong with any size body. We are all different.

By the way, you do pay more for bigger clothes in more expensive boutiques.

[polyhymnia]

Quite!

[KillerKoalaFaceFromSpace]

Everyone seems to agree that some size 16s can be fit and healthy.

Since these mannequins are made of cold, hard plastic with no lumps and bumps I think we can all safely say that they will be based on a "healthy" size 16.

Can some of you stop being so obnoxious now about how a bloody mannequin is "normalising" an unhealthy lifestyle? It's absurd. They are just trying to sell clothes.

[JuneauWhoIAm]

Just because its average doesn't make it right.

There are a few size 16 healthy builds.
I know maybe one or two. The rest, not so much.

Actually, while we are on the subject of clothes and shops. I resent paying the same for a size 8/10 top and seeing the same top in a size 16/18 for the same price.
I reckon smaller sizes should be cheaper.

[ormirian]

"The pressure doesn't mean that more people are slimmer; it means that pretty much everyone learns to loathe their body and constantly feels that the should be slimmer."

Quite.