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Plus Size Range = Plus Size Model

Yes, I know. Same dress again! :o/
There is a lot of talk {like, a lot A LOT} on the Autograph Fashion facebook page {where I loiter sometimes when whiling away time on facebook} about the size of the model used. The model is Fiona Faulkner. Most people know her from the Biggest Loser. I know her from about a million campaigns at my favourite clothes stores. How could you forget that gorgeous face. But the lines of conversation go a little like this…
Why use a skinny model for fat ladies clothes is a common one. Show us a 24 or a 26. Show us insert their size here. Models should be shorter, rounder, bigger, less toned… The conversation goes on and on…

So I looked around. Most agencies advertise between a 14 and 18 for plus sized models. Fiona, told us on a status that she is a size 16. Blogger and plus size model Teer Wayde advertises her size as between a 14 and 16 in Australian sizes. So from what I can see plus sized models, fashion ones, generally {watch me jump to THIS conclusion} are about a 14 – 16. In fact, as Megan reminded us yesterday in her comment on this post any model a size 12 or larger is called a plus size model.

So Fiona actually fits into the higher end of the plus sized fashion model scale {gosh, it feels wrong to use her first name so casually like I know her while I talk about her size etc}. Sorry disgruntled facebook fans, it turns out that in fashion terms calling her a skinny model is way off.

And would it make any difference if they used a bigger model?

The picture above is Fiona – 16 – 181cms, then the website model {I’m sorry, I was unable to locate name or size, I would approximate a 16 – 18} and me a size 22 – 178cms. They wear similar accessories. I don’t. We all stand with our arms relaxed, shoulders dropped and knees one slightly bent, the other not. Mine however are more one in front of the other {Which in some photos makes me look like ?I only have one leg! I can’t see why it’s not popular with actual models. HAHA}.

Yet there are obvious similarities with the dress in all three images. So much so I’m not sure that it WOULD make a difference if the model was a 22 {Autograph sells sizes 14 – 26}. Not when you add in hair, make up, lighting, posing etc… The thing that might make the difference is a range of heights or body types. Short apple, tall apple, short pear, tall pear…

But really, can we as consumers really require a company to provide us with images that look sort of like us {but more glam} so we can make up our mind which clothes to buy? 

I think it is more important that YOU know what styles suit you. That YOU go and try new styles that you are curious about on. That YOU interact with companies in a suitable way to make suggestions for additions and modifications to the brands range. While remembering that they cannot tailor an entire brand to JUST YOUR TASTES.

Models are a representation. They change all the time. Often from campaign to campaign. We, as consumers, need to know what works for us. And what doesn’t while being brave enough to try something new now and then. So we avoid that whole wearing eighties eye shadow well into2003 thing…

So let’s leave the model bashing at the door and get back to checking out the clothes and scoring discount codes for online shopping! Shall we?

{I have used Autograph as an example. I have used Fiona as an example. Mostly because I had a photo of me in this dress. But you could visit any number of plus sized fashion pages and see the EXACT same conversations going on. I don’t want you to think I was targeting Autograph or their customers or that this was some kind of sneaky way to plug their facebook page. HA. I wish I was that smart!}

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12 responses to “Plus Size Range = Plus Size Model”

  1. stink-bomb Avatar
    stink-bomb

    i don't agree. while yes perhaps i should know what style suits me, the reality is that i don't. i hate clothes shopping and this is obvious when you notice that i usually wear the same thing day in and day out.when i look at clothes, i struggle to see myself in them if they're hanging off a model that looks nothing remotely like me OR even the body size that the brand of clothing is apparently being aimed at. there is NOTHING plus sized about fiona – she's a 16, that's a size that you can find in the "normal" sized range of clothes. i admit that i found it a surprise that she's a 16, she's tall but the rest of her body doesn't look like being a 16, though i know sometimes sizing comes down to a variety of factors."But really, can we as consumers really require a company to provide us with images that look sort of like us {but more glam} so we can make up our mind which clothes to buy?"honestly? yes, perhaps not require it but if a company wants consumers to part with their hard earned cash, yes they should be doing everything possible to get that consumer into their shop and yes that includes showcasing their clothes on bodies similar to the market that they are aiming at.we don't have size 20 models showcasing clothing aimed at [for example] sized 8 to 12's so why should we have size 16 models showcasing clothing aimed at plus sized women? and yes i know Autograph stocks sizes 14 to 26 but when they first started out they didn't, they were called 1826 and thats the sizes they stocked. i've always wondered why if they stock up to a 26, they don't use a mixture of models to showcase their clothing from across the spectrum of their sizing?great post and you have some valid points, i suppose i just wish that every body size could be represented when it comes to fashion, us big gals have to wear clothes too :-)

    Reply
  2. Trina Avatar
    Trina

    I agree! I really do think you need to actually try on clothes to see what they look like on you. I have often looked at items in the store and gone I really like that and it looks like crap on or I have gone I don't know and it looks fabulous. Over time I think you get to know what suits you and what doesn't but I am always up for trying new things on just to see. There is no way in the world I would have thought Fiona was a 16. I wish I look that good when I get back down to a 16. Lol!

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  3. sharnee Avatar
    sharnee

    First of all, I think you look HOT in that dress (love the orangy red bits too!).I wouldn't trust ANY clothes I see on a model to be honest, I have to try them on first. I have seen some things that looked AWESOME and turned out to be a piece of crap (City Chic I am looking at you!).It's a shame that companies are "afraid" of using different body types and that they feel so constrained to show us what they think they have to. When it comes to companies like ASOS etc, I love googling their clothes to see what they look like on a variety of body shapes because so many people want to share the love. I trust those kind of images more (ie: Tumblr & Blogs) than I do those provided by the companies. The only downside is that it's really hard to find images of anything other than ASOS.The truth is that there are so many body shapes and sizes out there and it doesn't really make sense to just show one kind of body-type – if that be for regular clothes or plus-sized clothes.But yeah, in conclusion, I agree.I also think that it would be AWESOME for companies to show someone of every size wearing the dress but I guess that's unrealistic and would cost too much! But what a cool idea.

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  4. Ames Avatar
    Ames

    Models are tall. So while they may be a size 16 the clothes wouldn't look the same on them as on me as I'm shorter (168cms). That's the main reason why I don't trust any clothes on models regardless of size. I think that you should trust your body rather than size. Models are unrealistic regardless of what class they belong to – plus size or not.You look hot and are a good representation which is why I think brands are starting to look at 'real' women rather than models.F'ing lighting though – that stuff is AMAZING!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    For me, it's two separate issues that affect me in different ways.A lack of true larger size body diversity affects me in a political and emotional way. A bigger body then becomes a hidden anomaly in the fashion world which can make a whole group of buyers feel invisible. On the other side, all bodies are different and I have no doubt that even models my size, look nothing like me. For example, you look amazing in that dress Melissa, and even though I would take the same size, my boobs, arms and shoulders would make the it look totally different. Making this one not the right outfit for me, regardless of who is modelling it. So it's not the model that I am concerned with, it is the clothes. Whether they suit my shape, my personal style and other preferences.

    Reply
  6. Ms Styling You Avatar
    Ms Styling You

    I think Fiona looks amazing. In theory we're the same size but I'm much shorter so look completely different. My post today celebrates all our differences – instead of getting mad about a model not showcasing how you want to look. Seek out the stores you know stock your size and preferred style, book in some time with yourself and "play" – try on a bunch of stuff you wouldn't normally. You might just surprise yourself and end up walking out the store feeling as tall as Fiona.

    Reply
  7. Cecilia @ Parenting Controversy Avatar
    Cecilia @ Parenting Controversy

    I agree that brands selling plus size clothing should be showcasing their clothes on bodies similar to the market that they are aiming at.You get a much better idea of what a garment is going to look like on your curvy body when you see it on a plus size model than when you see it on a slim model. It removes thoughts like: "I like it, but that wouldn't look any good on my body" from being a barrier to you buying it (online) immediately or at the very least going to the store to try it on.

    Reply
  8. Megan Leslianne Avatar
    Megan Leslianne

    Considering that "regular" models model clothing that ranges from an Australian size 4 (!) to an Australian size 12 on average, if we accept "plus size" clothing to be size 16 and over, I don't particularly see the issue with using a model who is that size, or one size bigger (size 18). Regular runway models are a US size 0 or 2 (Australian 4 and 6), which are also on the very bottom end of the clothing range they model for. The plus sized modelling industry is simply following that same pattern. So, what's the problem?Also, I find stink-bomb's comment interesting: "[size 16 is] a size that you can find in the 'normal' sized range of clothes". Yes, you can – at Target or Kmart of Big W and, if you're lucky, Jeanswest. Fashion stores generally don't stock anything over a size 14. At my heaviest I was a size 16 and I certainly couldn't walk into Sportsgirl or Brown Sugar or Witchery and hope to find something there. Size 16 might just be that size that will always hover in-between the "regular" sized clothing lines and the "plus sized" clothing lines.

    Reply
  9. Kim-Marie Avatar
    Kim-Marie

    One comment particularly struck me from above:"You get a much better idea of what a garment is going to look like on your curvy body when you see it on a plus size model than when you see it on a slim model."I'm "standard size" (struggling to find a term that works!) but also curvy. I love to people watch and I see plus size ladies who aren't curvy (ie, don't go "in and out") as well as their more hourglass sisters. There seems to be an equation between curvy and plus size,and I'm reclaiming it! ;) You can be a 4 and have curves, or an athletic 18 without curves. This issue of model size is relevant to me as a 10-12 too. I am bigger than models by several sizes, just like plus size girls may be bigger than plus size models. I have to use my imagination to see if something will work for me or not. Even as a "standard sized" girl (plus size by "normal" model size!), I never see fashion shows or shoots with anyone who looks like me. So don't feel like it's a plus size issue alone. We're ALL dealing with it! :) PS Your pops of colour really make my eye draw to your photo out of all the three (and you have fab pins!) :)

    Reply
  10. River Avatar
    River

    Size is irrelevant as long as the dress is nice and fits well. You look nice in that blue one.I have absolutely no idea what suits me, this is why I wear jeans and t-shirts. All the time.

    Reply
  11. Mrs BC Avatar
    Mrs BC

    I have been net-hibernating lately so haven't noticed this particular conversation going on – but this is an excellent post, with some equally excellent points in the comments. I think the bigger picture is about the fashion industry needing to recognise that women who have a body shape that is larger than thier idea of average, are also women who love clothes, & love to shop. Seriously, shop. In proper boutiques & all. And also in larger chains, becauase they are thrifty. And sometimes even in op shops, becuase they value individual style. As a size 16, 168cm 'curvy' short arse, I would like to give the rude finger to those in the fashion industry (designers, & manufacturers who use models of smaller than is appropriate size) who need to invalidate my fashion needs by not including me & my ilk in thier idea of 'style'. I wish they would understand how insulting they are, & also how stupid to financially alienate such a potentialy lucritive market.Rant out :-)xx

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  12. Talia Avatar
    Talia

    Yeah, even if they use 'plumper' models, 'straight' people will get cut. If they use size 26 models, the 16s will be all up in arms. At the end of the day, it's advertising!! You're right on the money when you talk about size not making a huge difference when you take makeup, lighting poses etc. in to consideration.Well done lady. xo

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