Sample Sized?

The comparison between a model sized women and a average sized women...scary.

What size do we consider "Sample size"? While watching fashion weeks over the last month, I can help but think how wonderful it would be to see more NORMALALITY in the shows. What is the deal? While I want to see average women, I do understand it is because these clothes are often made off the mannequin sample size? The clothes that make it to stores and into retail are mass-produced at many sizes... Often times, runway clothes are "sample- sized." In order to change this, we must change the size we consider "Sample". 

I was looking at various runway shows from the fall collections, and began to read through some of the comments. I was surprised to see how many people have a problem with the size of the models walking the runways of the shows; asking “why are models so skinny?” or “It looked nice, but I am not 6feet talI, how am I going to wear those clothes?”

Now, I am familiar with the sample size, and understand that the designers mass produce clothing based on what the buyers like and want to purchase. Because of this, only one or two samples are made of each piece in most cases unless the piece is a signature of the collection. I too would like to see how clothing hangs and wears on people of a normal size and stature. Although, this may not be the most visually stunning way to present clothing, it would be the most practical especially for the buyers eye.

I challenge designers to make a few normally-sized pieces per runway, (atleast for the ready-to-wear collections). This would allow the population to appreciate the clothing more, because we could visualize someone like us wearing whatever it is. Sometimes, when we watch these shows, all we think is, that won’t look good on me because I have _____ (filling the blank with whatever beautiful curve or feature you may possess that runway models do not).

I began to dig and do some research on this subject matter, as I find it extremely interesting.

I want to know why runways are not filled with people of normal size regulations? I also want to understand the details behind the clothing samples, because I feel the sample size is the basis for the model size. Let's explore...

A “sample” size is the size the original garment is made into for a designer’s new collection. Prior to mass production (which depends on buyer need and consumer want) these sample sizes are all the designer has of their collection. But why can’t we change the size that we see has “sample”?

For more visit me at:  finditfashion.com, @J_Cultura or jculturafashion.blogspot.com

In an effort to change, “‪Vogue editors recently signed a letter in support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s initiative to promote a healthier body image for women in the fashion industry.”-- Stylaphile Magazine.

The problem with the long-standing depictions of skinny, rail-thin models on the runway is that young women are so influenced by what they see. After seeing women in media and on runways, it is hard to look past comparisons between ourselves, and what we see. Women cannot help but want to be something they are not (taller, thinner, prettier…etc.), a body dimorphic that we have been guilty of falling into. Our society is full of people who long to be someone else, or something better. Not that the models in shows and sample sizes are going to change the world, but changing the mindset of the average consumer, would make an impact.

The argument being made by editors and fashion savvy women everywhere, is that the sample size be changed form a 2 to something that is more average for the typical women. A size 4 or 6 may do the trick! By doing this, clothes will not only seem more wearable, but also it would slowly begin to change the women psyci. Long lasting wins for the designer with increased sample sizes could lead to higher sales. The designer begins to make clothes that flatter a different body type, a healthier more realistic body type then more realistic people will be likely to purchase an expensive piece. If the world of fashion would change their outlook on what real women are, the only people that would suffer are the 6ft rail thin models, roughly 3% of the female population… I’ll take the odds (I am sure they will be alright in the working world.)

http://stylaphilemag.com/2012/06/13/change-the-sample-size-change-the-world/

ttp://www.fashionindie.com/british-vogue-editor-claims-sample-sizes-are-too-small-for-established-star-models/

For more visit me at finditfashion.com, @J_Cultura or jculturafashion.blogspot.com

INTRODUCING FIND IT FASHION

I am happy to announce the creating and launch of my new site FINDITFASHION.COM The site is the newest addition to my own little world of fabulous, and contains tips, trends and fashion finds from across the web. I have also included other blogs and magazine articles I love and find helpful.

The idea behind the site is to bring fabulous fashion finds for the coming season to one place. Every month I update the site with different fashion finds and reviews in sections like: Fashion Favorites, From the Runway, Trends and Mind Body & Sole. I also add in pages every month on topics and trends that I am into. Some months I may showcase shoes, accessories and handbags; while other months I might showcase trendy looks like leather, prints and romantic pieces. At finditfashion.com  you can find and follow the fashion you love, while staying up to date on the trends of the season. 

Make sure you visit FIND IT FASHION for more tips, trends and fashion finds. . . 

See YOU there. 

Lifestyle Weight-loss

LIFESTYLE WEIGHTLOSS

Post Baby Chronicles

Summer time has come and gone, but your body plan from summer can stay strong through the fall if you make the right lifestyle change. Since the birth of my daughter in Feb. of 2011, I have been working endlessly to lose the weight I gained during pregnancy. No matter how easy celebs make it seem, real mothers know that baby weight is not so simple to lose. Many trainers acknowledge baby weight as the hardest weight to get off. The reason for this must be the fact that weight during pregnancy comes no matter what we eat. Unlike most weight gain, pregnancy weight is not a sign of laziness. When we are pregnant the weight we gain is a sign that we are healthy, nurturing and growing a baby inside our bodies. Now after damn near ten months, we finally have a beautiful baby but in the wake of such a perfect day, one cannot help but notice the pregnancy belly remains. Only this time it is a little more squish and a lot less becoming.

So after month one and two, your excited that a good half of the weight you gained during your pregnancy has fallen right off.  Sadly, for most of us this is the end of rapid weight loss. The rest of this “baby” weight is not so easy to drop. During my pregnancy I gained 35-40lbs, a normal weight gain even if it did not feel so normal. After the first month, I dropped nearly 20lbs. After this excitement, came extreme disappointment because no matter how hard I worked and dieted the last 20lbs would not budge. This was until a good friend of mine told me an interesting detail. She said our bodies accustom themselves to a particular weight it feels comfortable with. (For me it was a whopping 150lbs.) She said that in order to get past your bodies “comfortable” weight, one must do something drastic. Challenge accepted!

To fight my fat, I decided to take my weight into my own hands. I bought the Insanity DVD’s and started the grueling 60day insanity workout. After day 60 I had dropped 5lbs, although I felt better about my body and could see obvious toning, I was not happy. It was then I read about a liquid diet. A woman said that over a 4-month period she dropped 75lbs on her liquid diet. Even though, I was only dealing with 15lbs, I thought it sounded interested and read up. I read that for a less extreme liquid diet you could eat anything not solid; soup, Jell-O, pudding, juice. As a lover of soup I decided this would work. Only, I decided to make my liquid diet a liquid lifestyle that was doable and comfortable for me.

Twice a week, I prepare a large bowl of soup that I make personally from scratch. I enjoy a basic chicken noodle, spicy Italian zuppa or delicious black bean and chicken. The broth is made from chicken that I broil down and then I add in a few veggies and seasonings that I enjoy. Now this soup is not the quote unquote “LIQUID” diet soup exactly because it does contain solid foods. I eat the soup throughout the week, with rice pudding, Jell-O and green tea through the day. Sometimes I have granola; sometime I have eggs and other times I may even make a sandwich if I am feeling really hungry. Then on the weekends I splurge with solid food that I have may have been craving, maybe something delicious and unhealthy for one of the two days. On top of my liquid diet, I also made sure I worked out 3 to 4 times a week. I try to do 30-45 minutes of cardio or plyo using my body as an instrument to tone and mold my silhouette. I also work my abs weekly, occasionally finding YouTube and body rock ab workouts that last only 10-15minutes.

I made a healthy lifestyle that I could follow for a long time, over a quick fix monthly diet. My new lifestyle lets me indulge occasionally, and take time off when I need it. After three months, I am proud to say I have lost 10 additional pounds, not only did I lose this weight the right way, I lost it my way and even on my indulge days it stays off. I am now 5lbs from the weight I was before I got pregnant and even though I have a ways to go, I know I can make it with time and patients. My lifestyle is healthy but delicious and I have seen results. I thought it was a good teaching moment for other women going through the same thing, and I advise you to create a weight loss plan that works for me, and it works everyday.