Why are there no average sized models on websites?

[JanisMoplin]

Now that more and more companies are charging for returns, and brick- and- mortar stores are slowly being phased out or are just plain shite, I wish clothes makers would use average sized models, say a 12 to 16. Everywhere there appear to be models who are either a size 6 or a size 22. It's really hard to tell what clothes will look like if you are neither very small nor very large, and have a moderately sticky out tummy, wide hips, or flabby arms. So much stuff I have ordered is going back. I am a size 12, 5"7.

I am sure I am being very naive and there is a good reason for this?

I think this is a really good point and should be raised more, especially with the rise of companies charging for refunds.

Why should we buy clothes online with no indication at all of what they would look like on an average sized body?

They’re being “inclusive” by showing a plus size model but their plus size models are usually really tall and in proportion.
they want the clothes to look the best it’s very frustrating

aren't most plus size models size 14 though & tall?

Oh it drives me mad tbh. It's either a size 8 person or a size 20. I'd love to see websites advertise clothes across a range of bodies, including just your bog standard 10, 12, 14 etc. Also models who are under 5ft34 and have boobs above a B cup but are not also "plus size" would be nice.

I agree. There’s no one who looks like me any more. Really hard to tell how anything might look any more. I’d say I’m fairly average.

there is a good piece in the Telegraph today about this very issue

Totally agree! I'm a size 16 and busty so seeing size 8 models is utterly useless in trying to ascertain whether something would look good on me. I soo miss just being able to go in a shop and being able to try something on...

I did see on a few bits ( not everything ) on Very you can do view on a different size model. It didn't really help me though as I range between 12-14, I viewed on the 14 but wasn't my shape. So ordered the 12 and it's baggy. So I expect the styling makes a bit difference. Nice idea though. I did think it looked a lot nicer on the size 8 model 😬

I wish there was an app where you could upload a photo and it would be able to show you what a specific piece of clothing would look like on you, think it would make a fortune!

Because clothes don't look as good on them and they want to sell all their crap

YANBU, fed up with seeing stick thin tall models, or plus size, also tall, always pear shaped, never seen a busty apple like ever, it's fucking demoralising

Yes, of course clothes look better on a size 6, but I feel like all us average sized people are trapped between looking good and inclusivity. And returning more as a consequence, which will cost stores. ( So of course they will charge us for returns. Grrr.).

Yep, we need more busty apples! Sadly, that's a v difficult shape to dress ( as I know well ), and even Pepperberry has stopped trading now...

I am a small-busted apple and even that shape appears to be tough to dress. Anyway, just a moan. What I should be doing is losing my tummy.

I'm also a 12 and 5'7". I've got a decent bust but not really any hips. I would like to know how tops will drape i.e. how is the armpit hole going to look on me, rather than on the size 8 model who is 2" taller than I am and has no bust.

I think it’s wrong to say there are no average sized models… there are some. Mainly at the cheaper end of the market though.

And these

Seasalt have "larger" models on their website currently and so do Nike.

I'd be interested to see what effect it has on sales. Of two similar dresses, I wonder which appeals most to buyers, the one modeled by a traditional model or a more "average" one?

Haven't been on Monki for a while but am not an expensive shopper. That first green top though, surely it would look awful on everybody!

FWIW I'm a tall slim size 8/10 and clothes rarely look like they do in the pictures on me either. I'm sure most are pinned.

I recently had a personal shopper session and they tried to tell me that tops like the green one are flattering, because the wider shoulders make your waist appear smaller....

If clothes look their best on a size 4 model, the designers should do better and make clothes that look best on average sized women.

Start designing for us.

Yes, totally agree! There were actually amazing models in a recent Moshulu catalogue modelling their clothes. They had also included everyone's clothing size, height and even bra size so it was really easy to compare how the clothes looked like on someone with a similar body shape. They were also different ages and different skin colours so that there was lots of variety, they just looked like people I know, not like models, and that was so helpful. For some reason they haven't used the same photos on their website.

100 HUNDRED PERCENT

You'd think by now, especially with the decline of the high st, that SOME stores would have figured this out by now...?