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Can I complain for a minute? What is up with websites and catalogs that sell plus-size clothes but refuse to show the clothes on real full-figured women? Yes, I know. In the fashion industry, anything in double digits is considered “plus size” – I get it. But if I’m a size 20, is it really going to do me any good to judge whether something will look good on me based on how it looks on Crystal Renn (who really isn’t even “plus-sized” anymore)?
Even if a clothing line does use “real” full-figured models, it doesn’t do me much good to look at clothes in catalogs or on websites that feature a 6 foot, size 12 model. (Not to hate on the size 12 models out there who are on their grind. I respect the players, but hate the game!) With society’s waistline growing ever larger, it’s hard to gauge how something would look on me if that model is closer to the American “average” – where I am clearly above average (smile).
That’s why I always love to shop the sites below because they always show their clothes on truly full-figured, plus-sized, zaftig models . . .
- IGIGI
- Kiyonna – I especially love their Real Curves feature that shows their clothes on plus-size fashion bloggers . . . almost makes me want to come out from hiding myself and submit a picture of myself . . . almost!
- La Dan’s Closet
- Torrid
- Seal With A Kiss Designs
- Monif C
If you really want to dig into the controvery about plus-size models and body size, check out “Plus Size Bodies, What’s Wrong with Them Anyway?” from Plus Model Magazine
You might notice that one site I didn’t mention is Making It Big. Now, to be sure, this catalog always features “true” plus-size models . . . often on the larger end of plus size. But, I don’t know . . . I just feel some kinda way about this company. The models are pretty to be sure, but basically, the clothing collection is nothing but a bunch of muu-muu’s in different colors and patterns. No waistlines whatsoever – boo!
Anyway, I’m sure there are other companies out there that feature plus-size models who look more like the plus-size women who buy the clothes. Who am I missing from this list? What are your thoughts on this whole issue? Do you wish there were more clothing lines that showed their clothes on plus-size models of varying shapes and sizes? Or, are you content with the way things are?
— curvyceo
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This is the plague of my life. Here’s a link to a post that I wrote about it (but feel free not to let it go through if you don’t want links posted here.)
http://www.mirabilisblog.com/2012/05/
*reads article*
Oh wow – thanks for sharing! And thanks for making the effort to show your clothes on how they’d look on your actual customers. It is interesting to see how the retailer deals with this issue…on one of the recent episodes of “Big Brooklyn Style” they showed the owner going to a warehouse to try and find a “real” plus-size mannequin – quite the adventure!
I searched for days for one online and this is as big as they get. They even had the nerve to give it a model number of #FAT01. I feel like display is the biggest limitation that I have in trying to run an online business because I can’t use real plus size models. I love it so much when customers send me pictures of themselves wearing what they purchased because it’s the first time that I get to see it on a person of the size it was intended for. I’m working on a 6X – 7X right now and I might be suicidal before I’m done. The neckline is almost as wide as the mannequin’s shoulders.
I really hate the fashion industry!
Thank you for this blog!! I was looking for clothes online and experiencing this exact frustration. None of the models gave a good idea of what these clothes would look like on a woman who has an actually belly. When I was a size 16 or smaller I never shopped in the plus section, so why would they give us a size 12 woman as a plus size model? If you are wearing that size then you are not shopping in plus stores. Clothes for a woman with a larger belly are not going to look anything like they do on a woman with no belly to speak of.
Anyway, sorry for the rant. Thank you for the links, I was able to find some tops on Kiyonnia, which I never knew existed until a few minutes ago!
Please, rant away! Glad to introduce you to Kiyonna – it’s one of my favorite shops!!!
I am married to an attractive marketing manager and I occasionally remind him – he agrees! – that women with beautiful hair, pretty faces, sexy legs, brains, a good career, style, sophistication, and measurements of about 42-38-46 are the NORM in this country. Before we open our wallets and start plunking down hundreds of dollars in clothes (Heck, I would), we’d like to SEE plus size clotting on real woman of the same size! How much longer do we have to wait?!
it is sooooo frustrating looking online or at catalogs for “plus size” clothing when the women they use for models are clearly not real plus size. I think with all the technology we have today that we sould be able to go to a web-sight , and pick the body type we are, and see the clothes on that body type, cuz lets face it even in larger women, there are lots of different shapes and sizes, so why they haven’t created such a thing yet is beyond me. some of us have larger tummy’s and some of us have big ol’ buts, but it isn’t fair to us as consumers to have to hope we pick something that doesn’t look hideous on us when we get it. And the stores that you go and can actually try stuff on at don’t have the selections these online places do. And if is too complicated for us to be able to pick our body type, c’mon at least let us see what a real PLUS SIZE girl wearing these clothes looks like. It only makes sense, and I know a lot of us would buy more online if we had a better idea what that cute blouse would look like on us, or even someone close to us. What do we do??? How can we change this? I will definitely check out the sights recommended though. These companies should be more concerned with the all mighty dollar, not the pretty girls with there size 12 waist in the pictures. America is the fatist country in the world, and if one company would do it, then they would see there profits rise. just my thoughts on this.
ok, i looked at your recommended sights with plus size women. but clearly the prices of these outfits are out of my range, and more dressy then i am willing to go. none of them sold just regular tees and stuff. i am not Queen Latifa; and cant even begin to afford some of the stuff they had. i dont plan on hitting the red carpet any time soon, so it is back to ordering from more reasonable priced places, and online stores and hoping i dont end up with crap again.
where is a good place to order from???
Check out my shopping guide – http://www.curvyceo.com/curvy-shops/
I have posted several times on Women Within facebook page about them NOT using plus size women in their catalogs~~that is the one issue they WILL NOT answer!!!! And what the hey is up with a size 12 being called plus size??????
Thanks for your comment. Interestingly there have been studies that show that even plus-size women don’t want to see larger sizes represented in ads. I guess we are ALL addicted to the fantasy imagery.