Even Plus-Size Models Damage Women's Self-Esteem

Even plus-size models damage overweight women's self-esteem. This is according to a study by a team of researchers from the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands.


As published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the new study reveals that regardless of the models' weight, fuller women always feel worse about themselves upon looking at photos of models. How does this happen?

Plus-size women tend to identify their similarities to models, unfavorably comparing themselves to the skinny models and finding their similarity to the fuller models depressing.

On the other hand, thin women compare themselves to models and get a lift of their self-esteem when they realize they are more like the thin models.

"Overweight women's self-esteem always decreases, regardless of the model they look at."

This is actually because it is not the body of an ultra-thin or a plus-size model that affects the woman's self-esteem, but the presentation of beauty.

A model's image in any commercial medium like magazine is always rooted on one purpose — to sell. Whether or not it presents a roster of thin or plus-size models, it should not be looked upon as the major player of social change. While featuring plus-size models on fashion magazines and ad campaigns may influence people's perception of beauty, it's main purpose is still the aesthetic value like the diversity of models, the easiest way for it to become interesting.

This goes to mean that every glossy magazine and commercial ad is a culprit to a damaged self-esteem. The study notes that overweight and underweight women are more or less similar on the levels of self-esteem when they are not looking at models.

In other words, if any fuller woman who looks at a glossy magazine does not have a healthy understanding of the difference between fashion imagery and real life, she will always suffer lower self-esteem.

When this happens, it is best to take the recommendation of the researchers: overweight consumers should avoid looking at ads with any models — thin or heavy.

Not-So-Thin Is In

Not-so-thin models are “in” in New York Fashion Week.

The days of anorexic models strutting down the runway might soon come to an end. In New York Fashion Week, a lot of not-so-thin models have been presented, seemingly telling the fashion world that the skinny era in modeling is over.

Although there were still few of the models with protruding collarbones and ribs, majority of the models looked healthy with more flesh. Accordingly, models were up to sizes 2 and 4 - not 0. Designers also rejected prepubescent 13-year olds. One of the model who was considered to be super-thin was noticeably absent.

Aside from curves, more smiles were also noticeable from the not so-thin models during the event. The fashion designers and beauty editors could not help but sighed,

"I think a lot of the direction from the designers has been a much healthier approach... We're obviously going through a season of a less cookie cutter look."

Why Fashion Loves The Super-Thin Models?

Who should be blamed when fashion loves the super-thin models? Why does the use of skinny models in the modeling industry continue to be a desirable ideal?

Super-thin girls appeal to designers because they don't upstage the clothes. When models are too-thin, they do not have big boobs that may distract the attention of the audience. As thin models strut on the catwalk, the audience no longer notice their shapes or sizes. Instead, they are all-eyes on the cut, the silhouette, the concept, the fabric, and the trendiness of the clothes that the thin models are wearing.

Modeling for clothes on the catwalk or in magazines, is in fact, interpreted as a work of art. However for fashion fanatics, the constant modeling of clothes by super thin models may damage their self-esteem. Unlike fashion editors and stylists who usually look at modeling as a fantasy or as an art, the audience can interpret the use of super-thin models as a despairing fact they will not be good in the clothes their fitting because they are fat.

A fashion author thus concluded, “...Just as the clothes will trickle down to the high street, so does the message that being skinny is a physical ideal. And that is where the fashion industry needs to look beyond the unhealthy images to which it has become immune, and develop a wider perspective on the social implications of the fantasies it presents. It might be art, but life often imitates art.”

Fashion Catalogue Denounces Its Too-Thin Models, Withdraws From The Marketplace

A Canadian fashion catalogue denounces its too-thin models and withdraws from the marketplace.


Here's more of the skinny issues in the fashion industry: “A decision by retailer La Maison Simons to denounce its own fashion catalogue for using too-thin models and withdraw it from the marketplace was hailed by Quebec's health minister and an eating-disorder expert.”

The junior women's catalogue features thin, young women who were charged of displaying more bones than flesh. Following complaints against the use of the too-thin models, the 36-page colored catalogue with a print run of 450,000 has been pulled out.

Company President Peter Simons announced that he had pulled the catalogue in a bid to remove images that are “unsuitable” to the public and do not align with his company's values. In a public statement, the president added that the images of thin models are “destructive to a more vulnerable portion of the population which is exposed to anorexia.”

Simons action could have been inspired by personal experience as he shared, “Yesterday, I talked to a woman who lost her sister to bulimia... That just touches home.”

As Simons pulled out his catalogue which was produced by an in-house team, he also apologized for the publication saying he was “disappointed” in himself and that he did not see the catalogue until after complaints rolled in. "I should have done better. I should have seen it," he added.

As to how much the cancellation of the fashion catalogue will cost, Simons said he doesn't know at this point . On the other hand, his actions have been commended early. Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc congratulated the company for reacting promptly to the complaints, saying "Anorexia is a serious issue, and I think Mr. Simons did the right thing. It sends a message to the teenagers that they can be healthy, have a suitable weight, and that they don't need to be ultra-slim."

Retail analyst John Winter of John Winter & Associates also praised Simons as he gasped, “How many CEOs do that these days? I'm sure that he could have gotten away with it (and easily weathered a few negative media items) and letters to the editor."

As Simons denounced the fashion catalogue for its use of too-thin models and eventually pulled out the catalogue from the market, he shared that he has been responding to about 200 clients who "took the time to write the vast majority in a very constructive way" about the catalogue.

"We are into social responsibility here. I'm fully aware of what it is and I'm taking full responsibility for (the catalogue). It's my job to ensure that we are a constructive actor in the community," Simons realized.