Another day, another high street store that has caused outrage by using a very slim mannequin.
Instagram user Amina Hays (@sinkvenice) snapped the picture and posted it with the caption: “Because having a mannequin specifically made with a protruding breast bone will definitely solve women’s body issues.”
Underneath the post, when someone wrote it was hideous, she responded: "Revolting isn't it. Usually I don't care about things like this but when I walked past this shop last night, I was horrified."
Speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, eating disorder charity Beat said: "Retailers should consider very seriously the messages that they put across and we should all play a part in giving a generation of young people confidence in their bodies, their appearance and their sense of wellbeing.
"Obviously underweight mannequins such as this are unhelpful in fuelling the continuous exposure of the unrealistic ‘ideals’ so often portrayed. People who are at risk, or already affected by an eating disorder can be triggered or maintained in the disorder by the images they see everywhere.”
Rivkie Baum, editor of plus size magazine Slink says: "It is amazing that an in age where we are so clued up on body image and the effects of media and fashion that brands are still making these errors of judgement. Last year alone we saw two other high street stores using similar mannequins in store displays too.
"I think it is commendable that savvy shoppers have both spotted and pulled the retailers up on this and I think this is a key message, consumers have power to influence the high street and show brands that they want retailers to adhere to good practice in this field."
However, we must ask the question - is this veering into dangerous skinny shaming territory?
When Topshop - one of the brands Baum refers to - used thin mannequins, there was a strong response on our social media that labelling such body types as unhealthy and unappealing was damaging to women with 'skinny' frames.
We contacted Whistles for a comment and have yet to hear back. We will post with an update once we do.
What do you think?
Instagram user Amina Hays (@sinkvenice) snapped the picture and posted it with the caption: “Because having a mannequin specifically made with a protruding breast bone will definitely solve women’s body issues.”
Underneath the post, when someone wrote it was hideous, she responded: "Revolting isn't it. Usually I don't care about things like this but when I walked past this shop last night, I was horrified."
Speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, eating disorder charity Beat said: "Retailers should consider very seriously the messages that they put across and we should all play a part in giving a generation of young people confidence in their bodies, their appearance and their sense of wellbeing.
"Obviously underweight mannequins such as this are unhelpful in fuelling the continuous exposure of the unrealistic ‘ideals’ so often portrayed. People who are at risk, or already affected by an eating disorder can be triggered or maintained in the disorder by the images they see everywhere.”
Rivkie Baum, editor of plus size magazine Slink says: "It is amazing that an in age where we are so clued up on body image and the effects of media and fashion that brands are still making these errors of judgement. Last year alone we saw two other high street stores using similar mannequins in store displays too.
"I think it is commendable that savvy shoppers have both spotted and pulled the retailers up on this and I think this is a key message, consumers have power to influence the high street and show brands that they want retailers to adhere to good practice in this field."
However, we must ask the question - is this veering into dangerous skinny shaming territory?
When Topshop - one of the brands Baum refers to - used thin mannequins, there was a strong response on our social media that labelling such body types as unhealthy and unappealing was damaging to women with 'skinny' frames.
We contacted Whistles for a comment and have yet to hear back. We will post with an update once we do.
What do you think?
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