Topshop is facing backlash for using ultra-skinny mannequins
Most people are well aware that store mannequins are not meant to be an accurate or realistic portrayal of the human form, but teens and young girls may not be able to see this fact as clearly.
One mum has taken issue with the size of the mannequins at high street favourite Topshop, after her daughter brought the mannequins' physiques to her attention.
"My Biggest Girl went into town with her friend after school yesterday. They went around the shops to try to find a birthday present for another friend of theirs," she wrote, in a now viral Facebook post.
"She thrust her phone under my nose and showed me this picture and said, 'Look at that, Mum! I mean just LOOK at it. Me and M couldn't believe it as we walked past!'"
"I mean, it's not surprising that so many of my friends think they are fat or just don't like their bodies. Are girls not meant to be happy whatever size they are?"
Top shop has mannequins like this and we wonder why 5% of high school age girls have an eating disorder #topshop pic.twitter.com/AogoZpsGE8
— Macerator (@ProbablyAlice) March 3, 2016
Others have also taken to social media voicing their concern over the mannequins, which have been described as looking like "famine victims" in some comments.
Topshop came under fire two years ago for the same reason, and pledged to stop using this particular style of clothes horse.
At the time, the store responded in a statement about their use of the slender mannequins, reports The Guardian.
@Topshop Please change your mannequins. Young girls have enough negative body image pressures without your help.
— Poorly Welks (@PMJWells) April 6, 2017
"This particular style is used in small number of our stores and is based on a standard UK size 10."
“The overall height (187cm) is taller than the average girl and the form is stylised to have more impact in store."
“As the mannequins are solid fibreglass, their form needs to be of certain dimensions to allow clothing to be put on and removed easily; this is therefore not meant to be a representation of the average female body.”
