Why are companies still choosing to use only very slender models?

[WildFlowerBees]

I get it, the clothes look great and I can choose not to buy etc but it's not representative of all of the market, maybe that's their target market.

For instance I was having a look at Me&Em not one model over a size 8/10 I want to see what lovely clothes might look like on all different shapes and sizes or is it that their clothes will look shit unless you're tall and willowy.

Why in 2022 are companies still allowed to discriminate in this way because choosing very slim models only seems like discrimination to me.

I'm a size 12 I'm 5ft 7 but not willowy I have big norks and I feel invisible a lot of the time when it comes to clothing.

Am I being unreasonable with my little rant?

Yeah it's a pain in the bum. Even the "body positive" models they occasionally tokenisticly use still have very unusual waspish waists and are only "bigger" in the acceptable areas (eg bum and hips) and never with a mum tum or bingo wings. Lol!!!

No such thing as a healthy weight?
What? Of course weight is just one part of a bigger picture, and I think it's largely accepted that BMI is a blunt tool, but you can't dismiss it entirely.
By your argument are you saying there is no such things as an unhealthy weight?

I’m quite tall but have tits and hips so don’t really have much in common with the models, especially those super sinewy and snake hipped. Saying that though I do prefer to see clothes on traditional looking models, I’m less inclined to try things if they’re shown on ‘regular’ bodies, especially underwear.

I am saying you absolutely do not know someone's health by looking at them/their weight. You are making an assumption on their lifestyle and possible effects of that lifestyle.

As a minimum they should be a healthy weight?!
Shouldn’t they just reflect a variety of shapes and sizes as per our population? Some very slim, some larger and a few in between.

what are you worried about? That the public might see clothes on a fatter body and be tempted to eat more? Why should larger bodies never get to see themselves represented. There is a zero evidence that normalising models makes the public larger. Stigmatising weight just causes more problems. It’s always people who are slim who say crap like this too.

And I’m assuming the people commenting in this way are slim to be fair but I’d put money on it that they are.
I’m a 16 and accept I will only see my body in shops designed for ‘larger people’ or as the occasional stand out cat walk that is making a point. That feels almost as sad somehow

The problem is that we are all different. So any model isn't going to accurately reflect how everyone else will look in the clothes. I've found larger models a bit disconcerting as they are equally inaccurate for me. Effectively the item should be shown in each size, and multiple photos for each option. I've long argued that better photos and item descriptions might save retailers in the longer run, though I suspect they also rely on people not returning items that aren't right, but not sure how much investment would be needed. Even then even if you are x size the garment will look different depending on height, bust size, frame etc. So it's probably just not realistic. I do agree all the models should not be stick thin and tall, same as they should not all be young and white either.

Not RTFT.
I'm average height and in the normal BMI range.
I like to see the garment on a model, and for it to say how tall the model is and what size she is wearing.
The obviously overweight models make me think that the garment is not for me.
Similarly, if the models look very young or elderly, I'll think it is not a look I am aiming for.

The companies who use a range of models get it right IMO. The ones who use very tall skinny models only don't, especially if the models are in peculiar poses (legs apart or jumping about). It's great if the company does a garment in a wide range of sizes, and use models who look good in them, be it size 6 or size 26.

I don't want to look like I am on the pull, just nice. Note to underwear retailers, I want to wear a bra and knickers that fit, are comfortable, do the job and that look ok - if you have a model that looks like she's 'gagging for it', count me out. Oh, and those e-mails I get every day from you, I just bin them. You know who you are.

There are some companies I'll only use for gym clothes as they show the leggings and tops on a range of body types eg strong legs rather than tall and skinny.

Recognizing not all women just do endless cardio in the gym has been great, clothes are modeled on women who strength train.

Being slim does not equal being fit and healthy, you should see some of the women in spin and gym classes. They might not be a size 8 but their fitness is amazing.

@Stellaris22 Quite a lot of gym wear brands now have a variety of models and even better say the size and height so I have a chance of working out if the length of the shorts (or skirts) will work for me.

It's all very well styling a cute minidress on a 6 foot tall model but put it on me and it's knee length, that said it might still work at knee length. More to the point knee length on someone traditional model height will be awkward mid calf and floor length will be a trip hazard! So height of model is crucial information.

I think Gymshark and Sweaty Betty both specify height and what size is being worn, which is handy for me to decide if I need 7/8 or full length

Gym shark is my favourite brand precisely because they use a range of models.

I think I read they use very slim models because the clothes hang better on them, they are designed specifically for that size and then just 'made bigger' for other sizes so might not hang/look as good. It's the same with bras but the other way round - if you're small chested and buy a tshirt bra they look awful as they're far too bulky, they're designed for larger sizes and then just 'made smaller' rather than being actually designed for someone smaller.

Some brands (eg ASOS) are representing diversity, including disability and facial differences but on the whole, clothes look best on tall very slim people and that sells.

I was browsing some clothes sites the other day and noticed that they included adults and children with disabilities, and that it looked inclusive, and they looked great in the clothes. Unfortunately, I can't remember what site it was.

I’ve been looking at Adidas, Nike, and ASOS for leggings over the past couple of days, and was very pleasantly surprised at the different body shapes and weights of the models. Things are changing.

I think most people want to see how clothes are likely to look on THEMSELVES as they know they are not 18 and size 6 and that nothing they wear will make them be.

I'd like to see clothes on a size 14 or 16 average height woman and would buy a lot more if this was more usual.

This wouldn't encourage me to be overweight by "normalising it". The fact is that it might not be healthy to be overweight but in the UK it definitely is normal. We need clothes for normal people. I'm often a size Large. This doesn't make me want to lose weight it just makes me feel crap and more likely to put weight on.

I want to feel represented in the clothing industry and I think we all do. "Aspiring" to be taller and thinner is for the birds.

I find it easier to visualize clothes on myself if they are on a slimmish model.
I can tell if it would not suit my not flat boobs or broad shoulders, or if it looks baggy and shapeless or whatever.
If it's a bra, I'd prefer to see it on a bosom a bit more like mine than on someone obviously overweight or skinny.

Why are so many clothes modelled on bra-less models? It really puts me off because I definitely need a decent bra under my clothes.

And honestly, if I saw a dress on a size 22 model, I absolutely wouldn’t buy it.

Neither would I. I wouldn’t be able to move past wondering “does she look fat in that dress because she’s fat, or because it’s a really unflattering dress?”
And if retailers want to use bigger models because that’s their target market and they don’t mind losing my business, that’s up to them, I have no right to be annoyed about that.

Will also say (as lots of people have mentioned Snag tights, not because I’m conflating the two things) I’m unlikely to buy clothes that are modelled on transwomen either.

I do find it odd too - not just the very slim but also the bigger plus sized models. There seems to be no in between. Definitely never see models wearing what looks like anything size 10 - 16, which I think is probably the most that sell.

This!! Don’t forget the small pert boots too

Sorry that was reply to the person saying acceptable plus size bodies I’ve yet to see saggy heavy breasts

I'd love to see what dresses look like on a size 22 woman as I'm currently larger and it would help me to know what it looks like. Even if they have tabs for size 8/size 12/size 16/size 22 and you could see it on that size person it would be amazing.
Use the waifs for promo or whatever but be able to see what it looks like on someone your size would be invaluable to those of us larger trying to imagine what it might look like.

The adverts I've seen tend to be one extreme or another. Either very slim 6/8 models or size 20+, nothing in between. I'm a short size ten and am never represented by the modelling community

Because people are still aspirational.
I absolutely believe that people of any size can dress well and look fabulous, but most clothes look best on tall skinny women (or men).

Precisely, the clothes look good on the models and they're selling a look. They're making for a market and the main purchasers are looking for that look.
There was a company that sold clothes designed for larger figures (can't remember the name, used to advertise in SW mag), I think they went out of business unfortunately as a friend loved their clothes.

I've noticed tons of chubby models recently.