It won't look like that on me

[Zanzibar55]

I see lots of ads for dresses that I really like, but then see that the 'model is wearing size 10 and is 5'10".
Now, I'm size 16 and 5'0". Nothing is going to look good! Maybe it would be useful if we could see clothes on models who are short and fat, we'd have a much better idea of what to buy.

Lucy and Yak and Run and Fly both do this although I recognise they are niche brands/styles.
A recent M&S email I received and women of lots of different shapes and sizes but I don’t know if that has moved across to the website yet.

But yes, I agree that the majority of shops do this and it’s unhelpful

Some places do this and then people complain they are "glorifying obesity" so they can't win either way!

And some brands show 'real' models and it turns me right off the brand. I'm thinking of Molke and Snag tights which seem to pitch at a certain demographic

Joanie clothing also shows their clothing on two sizes of model. I'd say probably a size 10 and a size 16.

@BatFaceGirly

And some brands show 'real' models and it turns me right off the brand. I'm thinking of Molke and Snag tights which seem to pitch at a certain demographic

Why is that? Do you not like seeing fat women in comfortable clothes?

Bravissimo usually show on different sizes. Snag tights show the product on their demographic IMO, I am a size 20, I can decide if something on a size 8 will work on me tbh.

I would love more petite models.

@teasoakeddisastermagnet that's a bit barbed!

But I agree, their models are so a type of look (being larger is part of that, but it's also the colourful hair/makeup/tatoos thing), which is so fat from my style that it doesn't work for me. That obviously isn't a problem, I'm presumably not the sort of customer they want. But it does show that "inclusive marketing" doesn't always work like that, which is an academically interesting point (even if it is a socially difficult one to make)

Marks and Spencer does this www.marksandspencer.com/animal-print-v-neck-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp22528067?color=BROWNMIX

Asos www.asos.com/never-fully-dressed-plus/never-fully-dressed-plus-tiered-midi-sun-print-dress-with-pom-pom-details-in-yellow/prd/23734939?colourwayid=60508205&cid=9579

VeroModa www.veromoda.com/gb/en/vm/curve-and-plus-size/jersey-mini-dress-10254352.html?cgid=vm-curve-plus-size&dwvar_colorPattern=10254352_DeepSeaCoral

And quite a few others.

Oh God, yes - the constant disappointment when I see a dress or trousers I like then check the size guide and read the dreaded ‘model is 5’11”’. I’m 5’1” with a long torso and short legs so even petite stuff can be a bit long on me. I’d love to see petite clothes on actual petite models rather than models who, while not giants, are still way taller than the average petite size.

I don't feel like showing women of different sizes is necessarily that helpful tbh. Because body shapes are often more important to whether you suit clothes than size. And there are so so many body shapes it's impossible to be representative of them all

Dresses on 5ft 10 models whether fat or thin is the annoying thing for me, no idea where a dress is meant to end or where it will end on me

[quote Shurl]@teasoakeddisastermagnet that's a bit barbed!

But I agree, their models are so a type of look (being larger is part of that, but it's also the colourful hair/makeup/tatoos thing), which is so fat from my style that it doesn't work for me. That obviously isn't a problem, I'm presumably not the sort of customer they want. But it does show that "inclusive marketing" doesn't always work like that, which is an academically interesting point (even if it is a socially difficult one to make)[/quote]
Yes I suppose it was a bit barbed, but I get sick of seeing people say that plus size models aren’t worth showing. I think most plus size people feel the way the OP does, that seeing endless websites and magazines full of 5ft 10” size 8 or 10 models doesn’t give a realistic idea of how clothes fit on a larger body at all.

@Shurl

I don't feel like showing women of different sizes is necessarily that helpful tbh. Because body shapes are often more important to whether you suit clothes than size. And there are so so many body shapes it's impossible to be representative of them all

Oh god yes! All plus size models seem to be very pear shaped. Standard models very skinny.

Show me the dress on someone with boobs - PLEASE!

I do like to see the height of the model though, it helps to see whether something will be a sensible length.

@Postdatedpandemic

Marks and Spencer does this www.marksandspencer.com/animal-print-v-neck-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp22528067?color=BROWNMIX

Asos www.asos.com/never-fully-dressed-plus/never-fully-dressed-plus-tiered-midi-sun-print-dress-with-pom-pom-details-in-yellow/prd/23734939?colourwayid=60508205&cid=9579

VeroModa www.veromoda.com/gb/en/vm/curve-and-plus-size/jersey-mini-dress-10254352.html?cgid=vm-curve-plus-size&dwvar_colorPattern=10254352_DeepSeaCoral

And quite a few others.

The M&S dress is from their Curve range - specifically designed for the larger lady. She's tall though and looks good - unlike me at 5ft 1. I couldn't wear a dress like that.

Would be better if shops just told us the length of dresses. Some do - but the majority don't. We'd get a better idea of fit if they did.

Problem is, you can never please everyone all the time, so they may as well go with the shape which best suits their clothes, and stick to it.
If it were up to me, all models on clothing websites would be 5’8, size 12, big boobs and big hips, but that wouldn’t suit everyone else either!
It certainly is a tricky one.
Didn’t ASOS trial a kind of ‘pick your own’ model shape/size back along? That was a great idea but I expect the work involved would be rather excessive.

I think most plus size people feel the way the OP does, that seeing endless websites and magazines full of 5ft 10” size 8 or 10 models doesn’t give a realistic idea of how clothes fit on a larger body at all

Anyone who’s not that size/height/younger age gets a bit fed up tbh though. I’m 52, 5 foot 1, size 10-12 now (was 12-14 until fairly recently) and completely caught between the young, obese, tattooed, bopo Snag tights type models, the young, tall, toned plus size type models at size 16, and the young, tall, toned size 6-8 type models. There’s very little variety in age/size/height of models - it seems to be the extremes.

@BatFaceGirly

And some brands show 'real' models and it turns me right off the brand. I'm thinking of Molke and Snag tights which seem to pitch at a certain demographic

Oh dear.

I do quite like the brands that show how something looks both on a size 8/10 and a size 14/16. Yes it’s still unlikely to be a perfect match for your particular body shape, but it gives you an idea.
This is from the image gallery of a single pair of jeans from GAP for example.

(I realise that jeans are a bad example because they’re so specific, it was just the first item I could find)

I agree it’s difficult because people are so different that it wouldn’t really be possible to show the clothes in a way that represents everyone. I think it’s a good thing having greater diversity in modelling generally though.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDonkey

Oh god yes! All plus size models seem to be very pear shaped

Totally agree with this.
I'm a size 10 except for my stomach which is more like a 14. I've always been an apple with no waist and the menopause has made things much worse.

I'd love to have an hourglass figure, even if it meant being a bigger size all over; looks so much better than my "snake that's just swallowed a football" shape.

And yes - as the above post says - plus-size models are always pear-shaped (even if you've searched for "dress to suit a big stomach").

The M&S underwear adverts currently running show women of a variety of shapes and sizes. It's refreshing.

Although it's fast fashion this is the best thing about shein - it encourages reviewers to put their height and weight and body shape so you can see if a "large" fits a 16 or whatever. They encourage people to post reviews for extra points which add up to discounts and more points for a photo of the reviewer wearing the item. It's really helpful!!!