Annoyed with Plus Sized Sales Images on Cycling Sites

[lovelygamer]

I still haven't bought any plus sized gear, outside of the one jersey I bought in my local LBS. They only carry a couple of things in plus size.

You know why? Because all the darn ads look like this:

http://www.terrybicycles.com/Plus/Plus-Bottoms

BONY PROTRUDING HIPS DEMONSTRATING plus sized cycling clothes. WTH!!!!!

I love TE, but they don't even have models in clothes at all. I don't know which is worse, no models or skinny models.

This is so frustrating. How hard is it to find a real plus sized model to show a buyer what the clothes might look like on them?

Were not freaking ALIENS. There is such a thing as a plus sized model.

*sigh*

I can't bring myself to pay $85-100 for one single item that even if I read the size charts, I can't be sure it will fit because of all the conflicting reviews about size and fit. (which I'm appreciative there are reviews but they can actually complicate things)

Man, this is a hard sport to get into if your overweight.:confused:

[Crankin]

You can't tell how any product will fit by looking at it on a model. You can only tell how it will fit when it is on you!
I understand your complaint, but if you are ordering things on line, you have to take chance that you might have to send them back. Read the reviews and call and talk to the people at TE. They give very helpful recommendations.

[indysteel]

What Crankin said, especially the part about calling TE. They will go above and beyond in their assistance. If you end up having to exchane something, they offer reduced return shipping. They are also currently offering free shipping on orders over $100. I do understand your frustration, but regardless of size, ordering online is a crapshoot.

If you're looking at jerseys, consider Canari's SPF jerseys. They come in plus sizes and they're not too spendy. I really like the two I ordered this summer. Granted, mine are not the plus version, but I like their relaxed cut. So many jerseys are cut far too tight for my tastes.

[OakLeaf]

I agree you can never tell anything from the pictures, but I also agree with lovelygamer that it's just wrong.

If they're going to label the plus size shorts as a separate item - not just a different size of the same model - then they should show a picture of the plus size shorts, which those obviously are not. This seems like, oh, I don't know, using a picture of a blonde Nordic type wearing makeup appropriate to her skin tone, to illustrate a line of makeup marketed to Black women. It's offensive, IMO.

I'd write to Terry. It's not like there aren't any plus size models out there looking for work.

[Selkie]

Looks like Terry simply used the non-plus size picture for the plus size item. Maybe it was to save money or just out of sheer laziness?

I agree with all the responses here. Even though there is no guarantee that the short/item will fit your body the same as it does the model's, a picture can give you a general impression of how the item will look. Terry should spring for a plus size model if it wants to market to plus size consumers.

[jessmarimba]

I also agree with everyone. Those pictures are a complete failure. I was pretty appalled when I followed the link and saw that those are supposed to be for plus-sized clothing. Does the catalog do the same thing?

And while it's tough to see how something will fit based on how it looks on a model, it does help when companies (Zappos, maybe?) show the model's proportions - so it's not unreasonable to throw that out as a possible solution.

[gnat23]

Heh, I always get annoyed when I see Spanx and the like modeled by, erm, tiny models. Like, HOW CAN I TELL IF IT WORKS if her tummy is already flat? How does it look on someone with real lovin' handles?

-- gnat! (There are many rants like it, but this one is mine)

[roo4]

Isn't there usually one model for the item? Companies do not get someone who is XS petite and another woman sized M Tall and then a third for XL. I think it is an unreasonable expectation to have a model in whatever size the customer wants. I buy most of my clothes online and yes, there is an inherent risk in not being able to try things on before clicking SPEND MONEY. Especially since I am either a large or an extra large and tall would be nice if you've got it.

[jessmarimba]

I think it is an unreasonable expectation to have a model in whatever size the customer wants.

I don't think it's unreasonable at all to have someone larger than a size 2 to model plus-sized clothing. Particularly because people who are plus-sized apples are a totally different fit than people who are plus-sized pears or hourglasses and all it takes is one photo to demonstrate which shape the clothing is designed to fit. Designing plus-sized clothing is much more difficult than smaller sizes because there aren't nearly as defined "standards" for proportions of plus-sized women's clothing.

[OakLeaf]

Isn't there usually one model for the item? Companies do not get someone who is XS petite and another woman sized M Tall and then a third for XL. I think it is an unreasonable expectation to have a model in whatever size the customer wants.

That's why I specified, when the plus size item is a different model from the other. No, if there's one pair of shorts that comes in sizes from XS to XXXL, then no, I don't expect a picture of each size (although it would be more representative if the picture were of a size in the middle rather than either extreme). But if there's one pair of shorts that comes in XS-L and a different pair of shorts that comes in XL-XXXL, then yes, I do expect one picture of EACH pair. Or neither. Even if the model name is similar. What if, just say, the picture of the LG Neo Power was of a male model in the men's version of the shorts?

[roo4]

I think Lands End used to have a program where you could design your own model. It was kinda neat--put in height, weight, info about your shape, etc. Then you could imagine more closely what the outfit might look like.

[ny biker]

I don't think it's unreasonable at all to have someone larger than a size 2 to model plus-sized clothing. Particularly because people who are plus-sized apples are a totally different fit than people who are plus-sized pears or hourglasses and all it takes is one photo to demonstrate which shape the clothing is designed to fit. Designing plus-sized clothing is much more difficult than smaller sizes because there aren't nearly as defined "standards" for proportions of plus-sized women's clothing.

There are standards for proportions for smaller sizes? I can try on two pairs of the exact same pants in the same size and color and they will fit me differently. I can't say what size I wear in shirts and sweaters, other than "it depends." And for exercise clothing it's a complete toss-up.

Team Estrogen's models are the people who work there, I think. They do so much with a small staff that I'm fine with the lack of people in most product photos.

I do agree that Terry should hire a few plus-sized models.

[lovelygamer]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's gone crazy over this. Now that I have thought about it more, I like TE's methods better. If your not going to have models in any photos, then do it across the board. If your going to have models, be fair and show a plus sized model in plus sized clothes.

I realize that even having plus sized models is not going to show me an accurate example of my specific body in clothes, however it will give me an idea of what a certain cut or style looks like on a girl that has bigger hips, bum, boobs, shoulders, etc. It can make a huge difference. Those skinny hips just offend me on a plus sized section of the website.

I think I will write Terry. And, I do plan to contact TE before I order. I love the look of those SPF jerseys some of you have mentioned to me. It's the shorts I'm really worried about. I have such a funky middle section.

These aren't cycling sites, but examples of sites that do it right.

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Clothing/Dresses.jsp

www.jcp.com

http://www.dominodollhouse.com/

http://www.lanebryant.com/

[jessmarimba]

There are standards for proportions for smaller sizes? I can try on two pairs of the exact same pants in the same size and color and they will fit me differently. I can't say what size I wear in shirts and sweaters, other than "it depends." And for exercise clothing it's a complete toss-up.

Team Estrogen's models are the people who work there, I think. They do so much with a small staff that I'm fine with the lack of people in most product photos.

I do agree that Terry should hire a few plus-sized models.

Oh, I won't disagree. Just because there are decades of studying "standard" proportions doesn't mean anything in the long run. But there's a wider variety of ways for weight to be distributed as sizes increase, and there are almost no constants in the plus sized industry. Some manufacturers design exclusively for apples, for example. Some change the shape depending on size - a 12-18 will fit an hourglass, but larger sizes are for pears, etc. I read a fascinating article about a year ago discussing this and I wish I could find it.

[Anyabeth]

As a customer I am with you all the way. It is hard enough as a large or an extra large to see how a product is supposed to fit from a model shot. But since plus size clothing has been re-designed and made from a different pattern it is absurd to think that a size two model is wearing anything remotely resembling the plus size garment (petites has this problem as well).

However, I am in a retail business and understand the additional costs associated with having seperate images for each size range. Since plus size clothing can be a higher risk business to start with not having to take on the costs of additional shots and production can allow retailers to carry more plus sized clothing. It is a difficult trade off for retailers and it is a tough customer experience.

[Trek420]

However, I am in a retail business and understand the additional costs associated with having seperate images for each size range. Since plus size clothing can be a higher risk business to start with not having to take on the costs of additional shots and production can allow retailers to carry more plus sized clothing. It is a difficult trade off for retailers and it is a tough customer experience.

What she said over all. I feel your pain. I'm a short, sturdy cyclist. Even if/when clothes are shown with plus sized models I'm so short I still can't envision if it will fit. Shorts fit me like capris, capris go over my feet ... arm skins cover my fingers.

Waaaaaaay back in the day I worked in design there was a saying in the industry "Show everything or show nothing". For example I was once working on promo material for a film festival that wanted to show a crowd. Do we have plus sized, tall, short, skinny, each with examples of different races, hair styles, colors, some disabled, varieties of disabilities etc .... wrap the graphic around a bus to fit them all in or do an abstraction of the crowd concept.

We chose the abstraction. Less production cost. ;)

But I do see the need for this. For bike culture to grow folks need to know you don't have to be skinny to ride. You don't have to get suited up in lycra to ride. If you're not skinny but want lycra anyway you can do it an look fit, fast and fabulous! You can ride in a skirt or anything you wish and be fit, fast, fabulous and comfortable.

Even the writer of www.velovogue.com who I like a lot tends to feature skinnier folk so ... I see the need for a blog! One that writes about struggles with and solutions to riding and looking fabulous at any size shape and style.

Go for it!

[Kathi]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum so, believe it or not, I have a hard time relating to a 5'8" model.

One point about buying bike shorts. Look for ones that have 8 panels. The fit is better and more attractive than a 4 or 6 panel short. They are in the higher price range and often have better chamois. Once you know which brand fits you the best it's easy to find them on sale.

I know it's hard to find your size in LBS's so you may need to order several brands online and then return the ones that don't fit. Just like buying bras online.

[Cynedra]

Lovelygamer - I can completely relate to what your saying needing the larger sizes myself. And it isn't like I can go in and buy a pair somewhere else because I can't seem to find any bike shorts in my size in any LBS. It is hard to decide to purchase something with no idea how it looks really or whether it will fit especially given the cost of so much of it. Cost is a definite issue for me.