plus size models?

This may be a stupid question, but while watching Project Runway the other night I was wondering where exactly you'd draw the line between a plus size model and a 'regular' model. I mean, obviously plus size models wear plus sizes, but what does that mean??? Where do plus sizes start? Is there a certain weight, waist measurement, or similar that they follow to determine?? I was trying to figure out whether I'd be a plus size model: I'm 5'2'' so obviously I'd never be a model anyway, lol, but if I was a model height like 5'7'', I'd weigh about 133 pounds according to BMI. Would that be plus size??

Does anyone know?? Just wondering ...

I honestly don't know. But I can tell you that I went to the mall recently to try on clothes and the ladies in the plus sized stores looked me over and basically told me I was in the wrong store. 

I went to the regular stores (where the largest sizes didn't fit either - ugh!), and I told the lady I thought I was a 16, she told me that was in their "plus" sized section because the highest their "regular" section went to was 14.... So *shrug* whatever that means...

Plus models don't nessicarily wear plus size clothing.  First of all, they have to be about 5'9" or taller and proportionate, like an hourglass.  The waist and hip measurements usually have about a 10" difference.  On the smaller end they are about a dress size 10, the larger end I believe goes up to about an 18.  Most plus models are a 12 to 14.

At 5'7" and 133, you'd be a little too short and probably a little too small.

If you have any other questions just ask, I was a plus model for a while so I know a good amount.

I don't know. But if 133 pounds is "plus-sized" that's ridiculous. It makes me want to buy every magazine in the supermarket and start a big bonfire!!!!!

I know in England a plus size model is usually a 14/16 (US 10/12?) but they are also very tall 5'9+ and therefore are still well proportioned.

In my obsessive watching of America's Next Top Model, I have learned that in runway/fashion modelling, sizes 00-2 (maybe a 4) are "regular" model sizes.  And size 6-10 are actually "plus size".

This is the modeling industry though, it has nothing to do with how regular and plus size is decided in purchasing clothing.  Generally anything over a 16 is considered plus size in merchandising.

This is slightly off subject... but I always thought I'd be a great plus size model (even though I am 5'1) .... anyone else feel the same way? Anyone else feel big yet beautiful?

You are too short to be a fashion model, and most likely to short to be a catalog model as well.

HOWEVER, you are great for an art model!
I played with being a plus size model for abit, and did some artistic photo shoots, and those are the best ones, honestly.
If you want to try it, I say go for it!
It was a confidence boosting experience for me. I started at 200 lbs. and 5'6".
I have a few of my pictures in my gallery if you'd like to view them.

www.modelmayhem.com is a good site to go to to start looking up other models and viewing the kind of work that would be good for you.

Here's a site of a rather LARGE (not that you are) art model who gets hired and booked months in advance. She is also a photographer, and very talented.

http://www.thebeautycurve.com/

Hope I've been some help. :)

 

is 5'4" tall enough to be a catalog model?? i have always wondered..ever since i was a kid i wanted to model :( but im short so there goes that dream

The only type of modeling where you don't have to be relatively tall is art, and then it all depends on the artist and what they want.  Check out http://newmodels.com/ it seriously has all the answers.

Original Post by im4gin3th4t:

is 5'4" tall enough to be a catalog model?? i have always wondered..ever since i was a kid i wanted to model :( but im short so there goes that dream

I agree with xwewhisper. Do some research on the matter...but honestly, your best bet at 5'4" is art modeling. It's a lot of fun.

I was looking at this site the other day: http://www.plusmodels.com/

It had some decent information on it. It said most "plus" models are around size 10/12, and 5'9'' or taller and well-proportioned and toned.

And quwazie69, I think you're adorable. :-) I would love to draw you!

A 'plus-sized model' isn't a model who has to wear 'plus-sized' clothing... 'regular' models top out at size eight, and plus-size is usually size 12-16. Which is why if you happen to really be plus-sized, you'll almost never see any realistic depictions of your clothing in catalogues etc. It's not remotely related to real-life (especially since models have to be tall and hourglass-shaped, or else straight up and down).

Yep, here in the Uk plus sizes are generally 16+

i'm 5'5 and i weigh 137, and i am definitely NOT plus sized i'm sized 5/6 in pants and wear medium shirts, so a person who weighs 133 and is 5'7 probably wouldn't be a plus size model.

Pant size is just as dependent on bone structure and body type as on weight.  When I was 15 I was 5'7" & 135 and never fit anything less than a 7 -- and that was BEFORE my hip bones grew.

Plus sizes are usually 16 and up.

The "industry standard" is that plus size models are usually around a size 12.  Regular models are around a 2.  And ok, I will admit I got all my knowledge from Tyra Banks and America's Next Top Model, haha.  But at this past Fashion Week for Spring '08, a few houses like Prada put a "regular" sized model in their shows, which is kind of interesting.

I think the sizing is so narrow mostly because the designers only want to make 1 "sample" size of clothes for their runways, so all the models need to be the same size to wear them.

If you were 5'7" and 133 lbs, you'd probably be too small for plus size modeling, but too big for regular size modeling.  5'7" is a little on the short side for modeling. 

Jackattack is pretty much on point. Although there are some designers that don't want anyone over 7 modeling for them. I would go with anything over a 12 would be a minute away from plus size. But I say the average size of an american woman is size 12. . .so yes, to the voluptuous woman!!! Having been very thin, then having been rather fat, I would have to say I felt much more sexier with the weight. . .one of the reasons these women are size 2s is because they like to get models when they are 13-15yrs of age, (that is ideal for the industry). Once you turn 27 you are pretty much a has been.  Unless you can manage to keep the weight off. Most models are smokers!!!! They only eat salads, maybe some fruits, definitely no carbs!!!