https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 01:37:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-98672 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:21:45 +0000 Melody 98672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie,<br /> I bet she didn't think you were being rude. In fact I bet you made her day. One of the things I have noticed recently is when I see someone who is outlandishly fashionable i stare, and more often than not, comment on what I'm seeing. Just staring at someone with a smile on your face or saying something like "I love your boots!" really makes someones day. So much of are culture is disposable that if we appreciate the people who are really standing out, it not only makes you feel great, it makes them feel great. one of the biggest things we've lost is eye contact. when you make eye contact with someone and smile they know you're approving of them and that can be the biggest boost of their day. Trust me, it happens to me on the subway all the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97474 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:17:39 +0000 Angie 97474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So true! </p> <p>I saw what looked like a 70 year old women last week. She was beautifully chic in a black pinstripe suit, white silky shirt, red heels and designer handbag. Her short grey hair was impeccable, her make-up perfect and her skin utterly healthy and delicious. I could not keep my eyes off her. She probably thought I was terribly rude for staring. But THAT perfect picture of style and grace impresses me no end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97468 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:05:42 +0000 Debora 97468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your welcome, Angie! It makes one think about how the concept of beauty is manufactured and sold to us. No wonder we have unrealistic expectations. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97466 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:01:24 +0000 Angie 97466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are fabulous, Debora. Thank you. That was a thought provoking video. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97462 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:57:48 +0000 Debora 97462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Melody, what an fascinating topic and welcome to the forum! It's so much fun to get started a topic and see where it takes us. We have a diverse and interesting group of ladies here on YLF,</p> <p>I was particularly interested to hear Shiny and Maya's comments on airbrushing in the magazine industry. It brought to mind last year's Dove's Evolution of Beauty campaign:</p> <p><a href="http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf" rel="nofollow">http://www.campaignforrealbeau.....ion_v2.swf</a></p> <p>In case you've missed it, it's an interesting take on how our perception of beauty has become so distorted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97460 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:54:47 +0000 Maya 97460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't see the model either. I know I have mentioned Project Runway fifteen times already, but before the Models of the Runway show began, I never even knew the models were human. I just completely ignored them. Gosh, that sounds so mean, but that's not how I mean it. It's just that when they are in their role, I just see them as a vehicle for the clothes and the image. Once MotR started and I saw them interacting with each other and acting like normal people and not doing some crazy walk down the runway in outlandish makeup, I started noticing how they looked...though it still didn't bother me, since as I said, although they are all slim and tall, some of them are quite ordinary in appearance.</p> <p>I'm actually much more likely to have negative feelings about myself when I see "perfect" women in my every day life. It's one thing to see a model out in this glamorous fantasy world, but when I see a "normal" woman with a fantastic body just riding the subway, it makes you wonder "why can't I be like that?"</p> <p>...or maybe that's just me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97399 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:08:54 +0000 Ana 97399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Angie and Marlene, I don't notice either way (shrug). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97324 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:30:10 +0000 Anonymous 97324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am finding I am not even noticing the models any more as well...very generic. I only notice the ones that are outside the modelling "norm"...either extra skinny or extra curvy. The super skinny ones kinda creep me out but the curvy ones I like...much more like what I see in real life and I am more able to envision the clothes on actual people. </p> <p>I have never really related to the image of models as something I would want to aspire to. My years of working in retail advertising really crushed that romantic image. Not even the models themselves look like what the end product is... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97315 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:02:46 +0000 Angie 97315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You articulated that so well, Julie. Thank you! That's precisely how I see it too. The age of the supermodel is diminishing at a rate of knots. Actors are taking over from models – which is a debate in itself :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97270 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:32:10 +0000 RoseandJoan 97270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Melody, this is a very feisty forum but also a very supportive and loving one, it sounds as though you will fit right in.</p> <p>Angie I don't think it strange that you don't notice the models anymore, it is there job to be a blank canvas and project the mood of the campaign. There is also such a generic modelling look at the moment that very few models are recognisable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97201 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:47:46 +0000 Angie 97201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Melody, you have a great attitude :0). </p> <p>Julie, it was as if I was in your head when you wrote your comment! </p> <p>At this stage of the game, I don’t even see the models anymore. I’ve become completely blind to the figure that’s holding up the clothing. All I do is focus on the outfit. Is that strange? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-97194 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:08:01 +0000 Melody 97194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>RoseandJoan thanks so much for commenting on this. That was the point I was trying to make. I'm not making wide judgments about models or the modeling industry. Just this one model in particular. Though I am really interested in the turn this post took. I didn't really imagine to find so much heat behind it. I'm not against skinny girls, even though I'm heavy. I love the way I look no matter who is standing next to me.<br /> However, in this one example the model stuck out to me so much more than the clothes.<br /> But wow girls. It's really nice to see all these diverse opinions coming out! You guys really made me smile tonight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96864 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:34:33 +0000 Maya 96864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a good point Julie. Just as a model with very large breasts or hips would distract from the clothes, so too does a model with bones jutting out. </p> <p>I'm not unmovable on this. There is one model that I just can't get over. She models for Free People, and she is SO thin that it does detract from the outfits she models. The thing that caught my eye about her is that her cheeks and eyes are completely sunken in. I noticed that before I noticed the clothes. It looks like someone let the air out of her face Really scary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96850 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:49:10 +0000 RoseandJoan 96850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In most instances when I look at the advertisements in the glossy magazines I'm totally seduced. I love to look at the clothes, hair, make up and lighting. I find inspiration in the styling on a Prada or Chanel perfume ad (Co Co Mademoiselle with a white menswear shirt, black bowler and layers of pearls). To me these images are pure escapism.</p> <p>However, occasionally, and mostly in editorial shoots, a model is so extremely thin that it detracts from the items being modelled and the whole illusion is shattered.</p> <p>Really though I think the modelling world moves in circles, when you look at the evolution from Twiggy in the sixties, to the supermodels of the 80's/90's back to the waifs of today, the ideal of the female form is constantly evolving. Where it moves to next....who knows. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96844 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:33:30 +0000 Maya 96844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Blonde, I can't stand Paula Deen. She terrifies me. I heard her talking on the radio about some revolting concoction she produced involving a hamburger wedged between a Krispy Kream donut and a fried egg. I wanted to vomit. I'm not even kidding.</p> <p>The first time I ever saw her she was making something similar to the show you saw, with nothing but sugar and fat as the main ingredents, for children. </p> <p>I am NOT a health food nut. I want to make that clear so I don't sound totally annoying and self righteous. I could eat seven Magnolia cupcakes in one sitting. I just choose not to :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96841 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:28:51 +0000 BlondeAmbition 96841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm willing to go as far as to say that images of rail thin young girls is starting to be offensive. The tremendous pressure the fashion industry puts on us to be thin is criminal. Why don't major fashion designers make clothes for real people? Like last season's Bravo's The Fashion Show when they were told to make clothes for real people the designers were horrified. The funny thing is that those women were not even the slightest bit overweight!</p> <p>But we get it from all sides though. Did anybody watch The View the other day when Paula Deen was making a fool of herself tooting her recipe book for kids? The recipes were nothing but fattening comfort foods we're trying to get kids NOT to eat anymore. I was really angry to see that, especially after seeing so many physical education programs being cut in schools, school lunches are nothing but processed foods, and chips, soda, and cookies each have their respective aisles in the super market. </p> <p>Lack of health programs, lack of health care, an emphasis on high fructose corn syrupy processed foods is one end of the spectrum. And a total obsession with being rail thin to look good in clothes - these are dangerous times to live in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96840 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:27:14 +0000 Maya 96840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isn't that what all advertising is though? Telling you that something is wrong with you and your lifestyle and you need a certain product or service to fix it? Like Shana, I look at the clothes, not the model. No model is ever going to look exactly like me anyway, and I'm fine with that. I just sincerely don't see catalog models as being representative of physical attractiveness. I see them as human coathangers (that sounds mean, but you know what I mean). No matter who the model is or what size she is, I still have to try on the outfit anyway to find out if it works. </p> <p>As soon as bigger models take center stage, you would have to prepare for an influx of resentment and protests from The National Association for Thin Advocacy and and Skinny Rights International. That is what happens. As soon as people get left out, they band together and get upset. The modeling world is never going to please everyone. </p> <p>Airbrushing has definitely gotten out of hand, I'll give you that. For one of my technical classes in Photoshop, my instructor showed us an ad he worked on where he actually had to add wrinkles back to the model's face because she had been airbrushed so much that she didn't even have laugh lines anymore (not the really deep set ones, but the kind that anyone, young or old will have). I choose to be amused over this than offended Most of those people look so ridiculous that I hardly find it attractive or desirable. I don't want to look like plastic! And since I hardly wear makeup, I do practice what I preach :)</p> <p>I don't actually read any magazines myself, other than the New Yorker and some design-y magazines (but they are usually too expensive for me to justify buying). So maybe I have just been spared of this anguish. Who knows. I was thinking, while watching Project Runway last week, that even though several of the models are really stunning, a lot of them look very ordinary. I'd rather look like me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96820 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:47:40 +0000 shiny 96820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I don't blame the models for being a negative influence. How could I, considering that they are all airbrushed and distorted???? I blame the industry. The message is basically - you are not perfect just the way you are - Even if you are 5'11" and a size 0 -we'll find some imperfection and airbrush it away. </p> <p>Nope, it's not the models.</p> <p>Edit to add:</p> <p>Which is why I stopped buying these magazines. My money is not going to support these practices, and it's one thing I can do to limit my exposure to such images that wreak havoc on my own self esteem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96763 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:36:29 +0000 Rosie 96763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all such a difficult debate. Sal at Already Pretty had a great post on it, basically saying to show ALL sizes and color and types of women. Not only thin, not only larger, but everyone. When we have reached this point, then we know we have truly begun to view all women as beautiful, which they all are, no matter what the size. Health comes in many, many sizes. </p> <p>I also do not always believe that clothes look better on very skinny models. Just as many clothing items lack hanger appeal but look great on, often clothes just look blah on the models. Then models need to bring the clothes to life! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96755 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:24:57 +0000 NCYogini4 96755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cheers, Maya! +1, especially on scary agro-'food'! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96753 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:22:16 +0000 Maya 96753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am hesitant to judge someone's health or accuse them of somehow being a negative influence based on size. If this model were a size 18, and I accused her of promoting obesity and overeating, that would NOT go down well. </p> <p>If this discussion is truly about health and body image, there are so many bigger issues at play than what some JC Penney model looks like. I'm more concerned with big agro peddling crap and filling our food with garbage that is literally killing us and seeing ads for Botox and "more youthful skin" every other minute while watching Project Runway. </p> <p>That said, I wonder if along with 90's fashion, 90's advertising is returning. Heroin chic anyone? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96659 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:50:36 +0000 shiny 96659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not seeing this image - perhaps they took it down?</p> <p>I used to be an avid magazine reader, but in my late 20s, I realized that immersing myself in image after image of thin models was messing up my head. So I stopped all my subscriptions, stopped watching most t.v., AND removed my full-length mirror from my house. I lived like that for several years. The only magazine I'd read was Self, which seems to have more realistic models who are strong and fit and at a healthy weight. I'd rather aspire to that. Doing this really helped adjust my mind and have a more healthy body image. Nowadays, I do allow myself to indulge in fashion mags - but only when at the hair salon or doctor's office!</p> <p>This experiment made me see that yes, consumers ARE affected. Greatly affected! And it's not just those who are overweight. Those of us who are average or even slim can feel enormous too. </p> <p>I also find the industry practice of airbrushing to be horrible too. </p> <p>I think I posted this before - one of my favorite photographers:<br /> <a href="http://www.laurengreenfield.com/index.php?p=y6qzz990" rel="nofollow">http://www.laurengreenfield.co.....p=y6qzz990</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96625 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:54:15 +0000 rute 96625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The pale skin and dark hair is in again.. very gothic! I like the look, but I agree it is too skinny.. however the red peep toes are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96608 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:36:27 +0000 Angie 96608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cheers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96577 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:27:14 +0000 marianna 96577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shana makes a GREAT point. Take a look at all the lovely ladies on this forum. There are a huge range of body types! We are real women wearing real clothes. We're more realistic models. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96572 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:22:35 +0000 shana 96572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops Marianna, I didn't see your post when I wrote mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96571 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:20:19 +0000 shana 96571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Models are essentially glorified hangers - we're not really supposed to notice them, just the clothes. Honestly, I hardly ever take any notice of the models - I'm more interested in seeing how real people wear clothes so I can have a realistic understanding of how a particular item might suit me. This is why I appreciate that the ladies on the forum are willing to post pictures of themselves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96567 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:10:04 +0000 marianna 96567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, there actually are models our size. Torrid has big girl models, and a great example is welovecolors.com. Look at their plus-size models: <a href="http://www.welovecolors.com/Shop/PlusSizedHosiery.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.welovecolors.com/Sh.....osiery.htm</a></p> <p>That said, obviously we are the minority in the model world, because plus size people are not considered attractive by mainstream standards. Also, clothes just don't show as well on us. Models are live hangers for the clothing. You gotta learn to live with it and love yourself regardless.</p> <p>Honestly, coming from one fat girl to another, seeing a stick thin model on a website cover doesn't phase me. I know I will NEVER be that thin, it's genetically impossible and I don't even aspire to it. My attitude to it is: Whatever.</p> <p>People want to be thin and we are conditioned to believe that thin is the only acceptable body type. Maybe I'm just so used to being a fat girl in a skinny world, but I'm over it. You just have to be you and ignore all the fat hatred in the world. It is what it is. You're never going to be happy if you're resentful for all the naturally skinny girls out there or that our body type isn't represented enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-not-usually-one-to-complain-but#post-96544 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:38:09 +0000 Melody 96544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Has anyone been on the JC Penney website recently? In their cycle on the main page is a girl as skinny and pale as a skeleton. </p> <p><a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx</a></p> <p>I usually don't complain about models being tiny or the standards for models. I'm a size 20, I understand I'll never get a model my size showing the world the latest fashion. But is this really what we are aspiring to be? I'm not even going to get into how it affects kids and such, but what about the everyday consumer?<br /> Is the modern mom or girl on the go striving to be that skinny? Are we supposed to?</p> <p>And for naturally skinny girls, I'm not hating on you. But you know yourself that you are the exception to the rule for most "average Americans" </p>