Are Super Skinny Models Really the Best Hangers For Clothes?

February 21, 2008

56 Comments

Super skinny girls make the clothe look bigger than they actually are. Something that's made for in a size 8 but a girl who is a size 0 (which isn't an actual size) just won't be able to wear the clothes well. I work in the fashion industry and all our fit models -- real women or men with real bodies -- fit our clothes for real people. I know the designers are saving money using less fabric but it just looks a mess.

2 years

im really small and i think models look good in there clothing the only thing is the hieght i mean im 5'2 but dont get me wrong more curve women should be up there also

mifashion 5 years

Let's face it, clothes just look better on thinner people

sugajen 5 years

I think that a body goes along with a status. Generally very skinny models can afford to be anal about there eating habits. They also are hard to find and scarcity makes them in demand. They stand out in a crowd of average which is why we're attracted t them. Yes there is also more feminine clothing to compliment most women's bodies but something about a tall thin not gaunt woman is very sleek and sexy.

angelinemarie 5 years

also, id like to say that models are a real size. i am 5'7'' and 105 lbs and i do eat a lot. i just had MacDonald's yesterday, actually. so saying that those models aren't even real sizes is ludicrous since i naturally fall into that category. however, i think that they should have all sizes on the runway such as skinny, plus sizes and moderate size entirely : )

angelinemarie 5 years

also, id like to say that models are a real size. i am 5'7'' and 105 lbs and i do eat a lot. i just had MacDonald's yesterday, actually. so saying that those models aren't even real sizes is ludicrous since i <u>naturally</u> fall into that category.however, i think that they should have <b>all</b> sizes on the runway such as skinny, plus sizes and moderate size entirely : )

pequeña 5 years

"From my perspective, it seems that the designers actually began to use models that are less attractive to the general public, so that their own work would not be overshadowed by the fame of the models they used to show it." I absolutely agree with that, they look for unattractive girls so their work will be never overshadowed by the beauty or fame of the model.

carhornsinapril 5 years

maedchen1982: same here! i'm 5'11", and have the tall girl perma-slump. and good luck finding clothes that fit... you will be able to knock me over with a feather when i finally see a tall department in a clothing store, and not just online.

cnyc1a 5 years

The French call Models Mannequins. So that's what they do. It's a job. An Odd job that pays well and opens other door's . While I myself Am short, slim with curves gal I can appreciate a slender, longer, body type. Most of these girls are born thin and then there's the few that go through extremes, however normal people understand that if you need to torture yourself to become someone your not then chances are these person's would have done it anyway and easier to blame a thin , long, model.

Jude C 5 years

I forgot to say, that I actually think clothes look best on models with a least a little bit of curve to their proportions :) as they look best on real people with at least a little bit of curve!

Jude C 5 years

I am very small myself, so I certainly can't say that I have a problem with designers showing their creations on thin models. I think the issue here really goes back to the designers. From my understanding of how the modeling industry has changed since the days of "supermodels," a great part of the reason that designers began to hire models who now fit the blandly-emaciated look current on the runways is that the fame and influence of the "supermodels" they used to hire began to eclipse the designers and their creations. From my perspective, it seems that the designers actually began to use models that are less attractive to the general public, so that their own work would not be overshadowed by the fame of the models they used to show it.

astray_image 5 years

Not all clothes look better on skinny models, but a shapeless body can fit a WIDER VARIETY of clothes. When a designer is churning out a huge collection with various pieces, the tall size 0-2 model can just slip on the dress (yes like a hanger) and present it to the public. Other, perhaps more attractive body types, would require certain looks and lots of fitting. The models that we consider most attractive (hot models) often are not runway/fashion models but Victoria Secret models who have ample curves, a narrow waist, and long legs to show off in bra and panties. While thinner than average, they do not near the bone-thin look of many runway models. Lastly, note that while designers need the skinny models for runway shows, they often pick celebrities for their add campaigns such as Victoria Beckham for Marc Jacobs, Kirsten Dunst for Miu Miu, and Jennifer Connelly for Balenciaga. The designers know that when in print, the person modeling the clothes needs to look healthy and the clothes need to fit, not just hang.

tglynn 5 years

I think it depends on the piece, fabric, texture, pattern etc.

lyndagp 5 years

I know from experience that the answer is NO. I lost some weight last year and felt that the clothes just hung on me, that I didn't have any curves (not to mention my cup size shrunk as well...). While it *may* look good on the runway, how much fashion that we see on the runway is do-able in real life anyways?

Jennipoo 5 years

i work as a therapist in an eating disorders clinic... i'm going to have to say no. get a regular woman with a normal body, not emancipated. These are the people who will be wearing the clothes. If you're that good of a a designer, your clothes should look good on anyone...

Tabloid 5 years

Omg, that model is soo skinny! She looks starving!

Shop_Oholic 5 years

No offense, but can you imagine a "plus size" model in the FabSugar pic above?! Skinny models sell the clothes and make anything look great (yes, they have to pin everything back but it does wonders!)

AKirstin 5 years

I tell you what... if a designer thinks their clothing can only be represented by someone who is abnormally thin and tall, then it seems to me they must not be a very good designer. A truly talented designer would be churning out items to make imperfections look good. There's no challenge whatsoever in what these "designers" are creating right now. You see what I'm saying? I do understand the creative/inspired aspect, they seem to have that in spades. But that should be secondary to the ability to make CLOTHING.

angelinemarie 5 years

yes, they do : )

x_juicyfruit 5 years

It depends on the cut of the piece, honestly.

burke_chi 5 years

to secretista: there was 1 normal sized girl on a big runway for the fall 2008 collection... but i can't remember which collection!!! it was a male designer... i know that doesn't help. but when i find the link i'll post it. i think she was a singer or actress....

nicachica 5 years

i think JuJu makes a good point that models will ALWAYS be slimmer than the rest of the population. however, i think that this is really a matter of extremes. There's skinny/thin (Gisele, Kate Moss) and scary-skinny/skeletol (i.e. the old Nicole Richie, the boyish models of today). I think Fab is referring to the scary-skinny model and not the slight grade above (skinny/thin). does that make any sense? In either case, i think a return to the skinny/thin model will be as much change as we are realistically going to see. Sorry. :( btw, i agree with all the comments that say say healthy bodies are better on the runway but i know that simply won't happen.

RoyalBlueMoss 5 years

I personally like seeing skinny tall models because I'm skinny and tall and it gives me a great idea of what the item will look like on my body.... With this in mind, I can relate to curvier women wanting to see curvier models.

kayleigh83 5 years

They can be, sure... but I think designers need to start asking themselves WHO they're designing for. Sure they could design clothes that are gonna look best on 10 foot tall, 90 lb models... but then what happens after the runway show is over? Who can buy those clothes and actually look GOOD in them if they were all designed for a body type that only about 1% of the women in the world naturally have??

juju 5 years

If the models are too skinny, I find it distracting. My eyes are drawn away from the clothes. I think models are always going to be more slender than the rest of the population, but they don't need to be sickly.

Link Love

56 Comments