Annoyed with Plus Sized Sales Images on Cycling Sites

[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.

[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.