Debenhams Debuts Size 16 Plus-Size Mannequins to Reflect Average Woman
New size 16 Debenhams mannequins reflect the average size of women. Photo courtesy of Debenhams
Real women have curves.
And, now, apparently so do the fake ones.
British department store Debenhams has put size 16 (the equivalent of a US 14) mannequins in its Oxford Street, London store windows to better reflect shoppers' body types, the Daily Mail reports.
That's right, gals -- it's time for some guilt-free window shopping that doesn't make you want to spit out your non-skinny latte.
Though Debenhams typically features slimmer size 10 (US 8) mannequins in its displays, the average woman in the UK is around a size 14 or 16, with garments in those sizes accounting for 42 percent of the store's sales, according to the paper.
The larger mannequins -- reportedly seen modeling the Principles by Ben de Lisi collection -- are part of a plan to gauge customer response to the size issue, with signs next to the mannequins reading, "I'm a size 16. Do you want to see more of me?"
"We are proud to offer a broad and varied choice for women of all ages, shapes and sizes in store," Debenhams spokesman Mark Stevens told the paper. "So we thought we should reflect this in our window displays.
"If it's popular with customers we would love to roll it out."
Fingers crossed. The mannequins have already gotten a thumbs up from body image advocates.
"Women often feel it is their fault that clothes don't look as good on them as they do in the shop window, so we congratulate Debenhams on taking this initiative," Susan Ringwood, chief executive of the eating disorders charity Beat, told the source.
And, to quote the immortal words of one Hollywood Montrose, "At least she'll never tell you that your hips are too fat."
Do you think mannequins should reflect an average woman? Or do you prefer the skinny fantasy? Tell us in a comment.
Plus, check out Victoria Beckham's comments about skinny models on "The View."
Tags: beat, Ben de Lisi, body image, debenhams, mannequins, Plus-Size, Plus-Size Mannequins, size, size 16 mannequins, Window Displays
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Yvonne, 2-19-2010, 3:40PM
Why is it called Plus size if in actuality it is the average size of most women? How about we rename all sizes from 0 to 12 as Minus size or better yet Less size?
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