Skinny models for mature figures?
The Economics of Skinny Models.
Relatively short article, but this section is what caught my eye.
"So then why do we keep seeing such delicately thin young girls model clothes meant to be sold to women with mature figures? One little addressed reason may have to do with the manufacturing process: it's cheaper and easier to mass manufacture clothes that have less built-in shape. Garments with less shaping hang more attractively on linear bodies. Bust darts, waist darts and curved seams are all more difficult to both fit and sew than straight seams. These are the elements of tailored garments that enable clothing to sit smoothly over shapely curves. But-- it takes time and expertise to perfect these elements and this can cost a lot of money. Additionally from a financial perspective, garment pattern pieces with straighter seams can produce better yield from a bolt of fabric. Think about it like this: if you have two cookie cutters, one square and one round that you apply to equally sized sheets of dough, which will give you more cookies with less wasted dough in between?"
This is why I don't like buying clothing, and am very glad I can make my own. Still, it would be nicer if a modern just-in-time system could be worked out to make better tailored clothing to fit more body styles, without costing a fortune, or requiring sweat shop practices from overseas. Maybe the old fashioned tailor shops really are the better choice.
Relatively short article, but this section is what caught my eye.
"So then why do we keep seeing such delicately thin young girls model clothes meant to be sold to women with mature figures? One little addressed reason may have to do with the manufacturing process: it's cheaper and easier to mass manufacture clothes that have less built-in shape. Garments with less shaping hang more attractively on linear bodies. Bust darts, waist darts and curved seams are all more difficult to both fit and sew than straight seams. These are the elements of tailored garments that enable clothing to sit smoothly over shapely curves. But-- it takes time and expertise to perfect these elements and this can cost a lot of money. Additionally from a financial perspective, garment pattern pieces with straighter seams can produce better yield from a bolt of fabric. Think about it like this: if you have two cookie cutters, one square and one round that you apply to equally sized sheets of dough, which will give you more cookies with less wasted dough in between?"
This is why I don't like buying clothing, and am very glad I can make my own. Still, it would be nicer if a modern just-in-time system could be worked out to make better tailored clothing to fit more body styles, without costing a fortune, or requiring sweat shop practices from overseas. Maybe the old fashioned tailor shops really are the better choice.