https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 19 May 2026 13:58:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645482 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:32:19 +0000 Suz 1645482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Online retailers could do so much to help us envision the clothes better. Thanks for the input, everyone. I like patterns for that reason, too, Gaylene. Nodding about Zara, as well. I like the energy of the shots but do have trouble envisioning sometimes how it might look on a shorter person. And yes, Gigi -- no doubt it is cost-saving also.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645479 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:51:59 +0000 Gaylene 1645479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I agree that the half-head photography is unnerving. I used to love the old Vogue Patterns magazine because, while the photography focused on making the clothes look beautiful, the accompanying line drawings made the underlying shape and design lines of the garment easy to discern. </p> <p>Maybe online retailers need to rethink how to present their clothes--keep the "fashion" photography to stir our imaginations and give us line-drawings and actual measurements to provide us with the information we need to make our decisions. I'm not sure headless models do either very effectively. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645356 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 12:39:17 +0000 Janet 1645356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, Zara, yes! In a way, I love their style of modeling and photographing their merchandise -- it's fun and has personality. However, it's hard to translate the items to a non-young, non-skinny individual. And it's often difficult to see how a garment is really cut with all the tricky poses and movement. </p> <p>There seems to be a gap between really practical "catalog" photography and arty "fashion" photography that could stand to be bridged. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645289 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 04:38:43 +0000 Gigi 1645289@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny, I was just thinking of this the other day. It reminds me of Old Navy. I always figured it was a way to pay less for the model shoot, because you wouldn't have to pay anyone to do hair or eye makeup.</p> <p>I do find it a bit distracting. I think it's because it's hard for me to envision the proportions of the item in an outfit if the head is cut off. I don't really care for it.</p> <p>As for Lisa's comment about the boring Nordstrom models, that's what I liked about them! I felt like I could really tell what the clothing item would look like in real life, because the photo wasn't so fancy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645221 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 23:28:14 +0000 Angie 1645221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team Janet. Love what she said. </p> <p>Is it weird that I don't even notice the "typical" model figure anymore -and don't mind their headless modeling? I see every item in terms of dressing my clients. I want to see the clothes, and that's all. I find that Zara's models exude "energy and attitude" as Lisa puts it - but I can often<b> not </b>see the clothing properly. And that's a little annoying.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645140 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:28:20 +0000 Suz 1645140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, you're <b>all</b> right (even when you contradict each other!)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Eliza</b>, I agree -- I like to see a body, even if it is very different from my own body.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Janet,</b> I agree with you as well -- what would be really great is if they showed the clothes on more body types. I do like on Amazon where they tell you the model's height and measurements; it's helpful. And speaking of one dominant body type, take a look at the Ann Taylor site. I don't usually buy clothes from there but I am on the hunt for a certain kind of top and went to their tops section. Am I imagining it or are those models downright <b>painfully </b>thin?&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Lisa</b>, I hear you. They did always look pretty cardboard like except that one who modelled the Theory stuff, as per <b>Viva's </b>comment.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Vix, Angie</b>, you're right -- Shopbop (some parts); Netaporter. But also lower end sites. Like the Bay in Canada. Almost never any heads (or even models, sometimes) there.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>April</b>, that's a good point. Maybe I should use my imagination a bit more. But I also think seeing the head helps one to visualize proportions somehow.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645139 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:26:58 +0000 Helena 1645139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No insight to add ... I think the above points are right but I agree that they are disconcerting ... especially because some of them it's hard to tell whether it's a real person &nbsp;... bizarre! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645135 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:17:52 +0000 Eliza 1645135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really dislike catalogues that have absolutely no models and also sometimes wish Zappos showed the shoes worn. The headless part is interesting; i think the full body view can help visualize proportions. I may need training wheels for online shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1645031 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:02:33 +0000 Janet 1645031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Frankly, I'd rather see models with a bit more variety in body type. I don't care about the face/head so much, but can we please see a model with semblance of hips or boobs? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644997 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 16:22:35 +0000 Anonymous 1644997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always thought Nordstrom had the worst models anyways - not in terms of looks, but in how they posed and how non-fashiony they look. &nbsp;And as Vix above me here noted about blank-faced women in clothes that they don't "show" well.....</p> <p>Give me some attitude and some energy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644924 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:41:50 +0000 Vix 1644924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well you know I don't have a problem with the headless models, ha.</p> <p>It's been around a long time on the various high-end sites. I kind of prefer it as I hate seeing models shoved into colors that do nothing for them. OTOH I love seeing models in colors that make them glow.</p> <p>((((Suz))))</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644915 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:34:34 +0000 viva 1644915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always like to look at their hairstyles. This is disappointing. I'm going to miss that Theory girl.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644881 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:12:01 +0000 Angie 1644881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>HAH! YES. Like Netaporter.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644847 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:30:32 +0000 April 1644847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I imagine that one consequence, intended or not, is that neck-down photos don't convey the idea that there is one acceptable way to look: to be naturally lovely, with professional makeup and stunning hair. &nbsp;</p> <p>Kind of like those Waldorf-school dolls where the faces are blank. &nbsp; Sorta creepy the first time you see them, but intended to let kids impose their own ideas of what the doll is feeling, or looks like, as they play. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644838 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:02:23 +0000 Suz 1644838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All of these points have validity. I just personally find it really weird. I've been looking at tops. I find the ones where the jaw and part of the smile is there really peculiar, but really, all the headless ones look strange to me. I do understand the point about distraction, but I actually find it helpful to see a human vs. a mannequin myself. I suppose we're all a bit different that way.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644835 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:59:11 +0000 BrieN 1644835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if it's so the zoom feature can get a better "reading" of the fabric.</p> <p>edit: nah. I looked again and they are pretty good at giving you a photo of the fabric sans model. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644817 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:10:40 +0000 El Cee 1644817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perhaps they are copying Net A Porter. I think Sterling has a point. When you remove the face/head, the focus is on the clothing and not the model. You still get to see the outfit on a body and "in motion", but are not distracted by other features… e.g. model's hairstyle.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644815 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:06:43 +0000 Anonymous 1644815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, strange. Maybe it is to help you focus on the clothes more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644813 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:03:50 +0000 JamC 1644813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hadn't noticed but I don't like it. I had to check...same in the men's department. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644811 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:58:51 +0000 LaPed 1644811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe they can get away with paying the models less. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644801 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:45:35 +0000 Anonymous 1644801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hadn't even noticed headless models. &nbsp;I'll pay more attention in the future. &nbsp;</p> <p>Off the top of my head, I wonder if it isn't a means to focus the attention on the clothing itself? &nbsp;I say this because sometimes when I look at an outfit, I cover the models head because it is distracting to me. &nbsp;When I cover the head, I seem to be able to see the outfit and more easily imagine me wearing it. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644779 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 05:02:06 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1644779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They've done it with bags for quite a while. Is it also with clothing now? I wonder what is more effective at selling the products; I'm sure someone must have researched the question. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-with-the-headless-models#post-1644775 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 04:44:25 +0000 Suz 1644775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On the Nordstrom site? I guess I haven't visited for a while. I find it awfully disconcerting. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>