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.

I think I want this too…

But then with shops where I have seen it online I have to check whether it is a ‘plus size’ model or just a really unflattering dress on the standard size 10 model! 🙈

I feel like this too OP. The ones that annoy me are the ones who have ridiculously thin (I'm talking underweight not slim) models on their websites. AX Paris currently have a lady with a blatant lollipop head on their website.

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)

It annoys me that the only 'acceptable' way to be larger these days is if you embrace that sort of look. It doesn't suit me and I don't want to stand out like some sort of body positive role model, I just want to look nice!

There’s an American retailer called Universal Standard who show each item with a model at each size… no idea if they’re all tall though. They are not a specialist plus size retailer though they just sell “clothes” starting at quite small and going pretty big.

Agree about the petite thing. There are some really nice dresses out there, then I read the model is 5ft10 and it’s just not worth buying.

I think I am a fairly "average" size and shape at 5ft 6 and a 10/12, and actually most models are far from "average" so I think this is an issue that most of us have! I constantly have to imagine things four inches longer on me. I'm also pretty hippy with a small waist, so I need to always be mindful of where tops will end unless I can tuck them in, because if they are at eg hip bone level they cut me off at my widest point and don't look great.

I've bought a few things from Zara lately where you input your height/weight/shape and how you want the garment to fit, then they recommend a size, which has been quite helpful, even if the clothes are shown on someone much thinner and taller than me.

I also agree with PP re Snag as an example of a brand who I can't connect with the "look" of their models. I understand they market to their demographic, but surely they have potential customers who just want black opaque tights which accommodate a bigger than average bum or a not-flat tummy? (Me.) And yes re Joanie, I think that works well when they say "Katie is a size 10 and wearing S, Sally is a size 16 and wearing L", it's really helpful to see the clothes on the different body shapes.

The lengths thing drives me mad. To be fair I think that more and more shops are getting better at putting actual garment measurements on, but the dreaded bright comment "dress hits above the knee" or whatever - and I just think yes, but ON WHOM? Will it still hit above the knee of a woman who is 5 feet tall? Will it then be crotch length on a woman of 6 feet? It's completely meaningless and utterly irritating. And it doesn't really help to say that the model is 5´11 unless the prospective customer happens to be around the same height. If you are 11 inches shorter than the model then it is really impossible to tell how it will fit.

I’d just like to know what size dress the model is wearing.

I suppose the seller is in the business of making the clothes look as good as possible, and most people would agree that a dress is going to look better on a 5 10 size 10 model than a 5 foot size 16 model. It is a simple as that.

Well yes, clothes just look better on tall thin people, and clothes companies want to sell more clothes.

Presumably by now you have some idea of what suits you and what doesn't.

I had a quick look at Run & Fly the other day and found it really refreshing. The models just look like regular girls and they look great! Their stuff isn't really my bag but I wondered if their shoppers found it more welcoming, much more so than the very tall, perfectly toned mannequins you normally see. I don't see why this can't be replicated across other styles / demographics.
But is aspiration part of the shopping experience, even subconsciously??

It can be useful sometimes. If you see a 5’10, size 8 professional model wearing something and it’s unflattering on her you know it will look bloody awful on everyone.

I’d like to see more actual measurements available. As others have said - what length is this dress? How long is the top - where will it end on me?

I’m a size 8 and 5 ft 10 so I’m lucky that I can compare to some of the pictures - the models are often ballpark similar height and size - but still buy clothes online that then don’t fit as expected. It’s stuff like body shape that can make a difference as well as because of the variation in sizing - it makes it really hard to predict what will fit. I like how some shops will say something along the lines - if you’re between sizes go up/down.

It’s not just annoying when shops don’t give enough info to help shoppers pick an item and get it in the right size - a lot of stuff that gets tried on and returns ends up not being resold, so it’s not great for the environment.

I buy from River Island online & the appropriate size models are used for petite, regular & plus size clothing.
I get 'regular' size and they generally use a size 8 or 10 5'10" model with a small bust whereas I know im a size 12 at River Island with a big bust & only 5'4"... so the short items are usually ok on me, and the midis are nearer to maxis.

Love the Joanie website - I hadn't come across it before, there's a few things on there I'll be adding to the trolley later.

Only slight gripe is that's a very watered down version of what we were wearing in the 80s!

@TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet no, I'm not fattist so you're jumping to conclusions there or projecting. I'm a size 14 so not slim.

But the brands I mentioned - molke and snag - have a certain demographic and I'm not sure what it is exactly that puts me off both brands. Molke in particular but that could be because the Bras look hideous

It's disingenuous to pretend you have no idea what I mean.

I like a previous posters idea of showing clothing on a size 10, size 16 model. That's a good idea

@Shurl yes! You've said what I'm trying to say but far more succinctly.

@Divebar2021

There’s an American retailer called Universal Standard who show each item with a model at each size… no idea if they’re all tall though. They are not a specialist plus size retailer though they just sell “clothes” starting at quite small and going pretty big.

I’ve just looked at this site and I love that idea! And the clothes, actually,, Wish they sold them in the UK.

Well yes, clothes just look better on tall thin people, and clothes companies want to sell more clothes. Presumably by now you have some idea of what suits you and what doesn't.
I agree with that; unfortunately, very little seems to suit me! I tend to stick with tee shirts and jeggings. Not very adventurous but dresses are too problematic. I must say, though, that I always like what Sarah Davies is wearing when I see her on Dragons' Den. I don't know how tall she is, but she isn't a size 10.

I've had a look at Universal Standard. I like the idea, but it's convinced me that I need to lose some weight!

It can be useful sometimes. If you see a 5’10, size 8 professional model wearing something and it’s unflattering on her you know it will look bloody awful on everyone.

If you see a 5’10, size 8 professional model wearing something and it’s unflattering on her you know it will look bloody awful on everyone.

Not necessarily, sometimes something that looks dreadful on a very tall and thin model might look great on a short and curvy (in the gealthy range) real person because it is cut for boobs.

I actually like this because I am 5'10 and it's an idication of whether the garment will be an indecent or ridiculous length on me!

@PawsQueen

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

They could just ignore the (frankly ludicrous) idea that anyone shorter than 5’10 or larger than the usual model (sometimes a 6 or an 8 even) is “obese”? That would be a win.

In the Style

They show models in sizes 10-24 or something. Not bought from them but my pal has and she rated them