Mannequins to reflect average UK woman

The size 16 mannequins.
The size 16 mannequins.

The average dress size in the UK is a size 16 – and now a department store is trialling mannequins to reflect this.

Currently – despite campaigns from the Eating Disorder Association - most shops currently use size 6 – 10 mannequins.

But, in response to the average size of the British woman increasing from size 8 in the 1950s to size 16 now, Debenham’s are the first store to trial a new size 16 mannequin.

Signage next to the mannequins, which will be wearing the recently launched Principles by Ben de Lisi range, will ask customers ‘I’m a size 16, do you want to see more of me?’

Debenhams Head of Creative, Mark Stevens comments: “We are proud to offer a broad and varied choice for women of all ages, shapes and sizes in store. So we thought we should reflect this in our window displays. If it’s popular with customers we would love to roll it out”

The ‘realistic’ mannequins will be on display in the Debenham’s Oxford Street, London, branch window.

If they prove popular then the initiative will be rolled out across the UK.

But what do you think? Should UK stores be using larger mannequins or do you prefer to see clothes on size 10 mannequins?

Let us know by filling in the comment box!

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4 comments

KateMoss

08/04/10 at 17:08

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No - Clothes should not be on any mannequins larger than size zero...

wolfie85

08/04/10 at 17:08

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Finally, the shops have seen sense !! Not everybody is or wants to be a size zero ! Women are meant to have curves and theres nothing wrong with being a size 16.

Chocolate

08/04/10 at 17:08

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Despite campaigns, education and more awareness among media savvy youth who undrstand that images in the media are processed and manipulated... these images are still presented as what attractive is!!

Clothes may be made in 16 plus sizes, but many stores, espacially those aimed at young girls, don't stock them routinely or carry a seperate range. The clothes in a range are not designed from a larger figure motif, larger women are not uniformly larger by the same amount in all the garment porpotions, the styles often don't accomodate the straps of a bigger bra or the sizing of clothes doesn't actually accomodate a curvy chest on an average frame. One or two companies are addressing this but as consumers we need to hit those who aren't, firmly in the pocket where it maks their eyes water. A coment on Loose Women toady (18th Feb 2010) 'but catwalk is just art'...pleeeeeease! Again, if it isn't aspirational...what is the purpose and behind that,what is the function of the designers? It ain't galleries buying their work!

Viva

08/04/10 at 17:08

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I think its a great idea. I wish more shops would follow their lead and show people that some fashion may still look good on the larger women.

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