Plus Size Mannequins Slow To Keep Up With Actual Sizes
Posted on January 11, 2010 by Glen Johnson
Years ago I reported about plus size mannequins and how it seemed like a good idea to have a visual representation of the clients your are selling clothes too. I thought it was a good idea in 2005 and think it is a good idea today.
Pucci International had a good idea with their Birdie mannequin a few years ago but it seems as if the industry as a whole is slow to keep up with the fact people are larger today than in decades past and would like to see clothing and clothing displays to give them better idea about what they are going to purchase.
I am a little disappointed that three years after my original post on plus size mannequins the only visible signs of progress have come from the display models used in Lane Bryant locations. While this is a sign of progress as long as the standard for plus size mannequins measures in at 5′8″ or taller and between a size 12-16 there will not be a true depiction of the average plus size woman in the United States or anywhere else for that matter.
I did manage to find a website beside those created by Pucci that carried plus size mannequins but the stats reminded me more of a Amazon than a plus size beauty. What do you think of these stats:
Now I will take the measurements of my wife who I would consider as pretty typical as far as plus size women are concerned and compare her to the mannequin.
As you can see there is quite a bit of difference between the mannequin and my lovely assistant. Taking away the difference in breast size the biggest factor is the height. In my opinion I would classify the mannequin as more big and tall than I would plus size. It is for this reason that I say the mannequin industry is like the fashion industry in being slow to keep up with the times.
We are past the point of just being happy we were invited to the dance. There needs to be serious consideration into the target audience and what it will take to properly represent visually not only the clothing but the mannequins used to display the clothes. Tomorrow I will try to find mannequins for big and tall men. Wish me luck.
In case you are wondering were you can get the clothes my wife has on check out the JMS collection found at Wal-Mart or at JustMySize.com
Discussion: 2 Comments
Moe
- 16th Jan, 10 05:01pm
Love the JMS vest. I want to know where your lovely assistant got the boots too.
As for the mannequins. When I worked at Penningtons they had size 14 busts (no legs) that were on sticks that we could adjust the height of. I haven’t looked recently but busts just are the same as trying something on.
In all my life I think I’ve only run into 2 six foot women. So to have a mannequin that is that tall (unless it is in a tall women store) seem redundant.
Moe´s last blog ..Houndstooth and Tights
Glen L Johnson (author comment)
- 17th Jan, 10 12:01pm
Moe,
I only know a few ladies over 6 foot myself though I did meet quite a few tall ladies when I attended full figured fashion week last year. It does seem redundant to have tall mannequins when most are not that size.
As for the boots they came from JC Penny. I think she wears them more than any other shoe in her closet.