Why do they stand like that?

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Have you ever noticed that maternity clothes models stick their stomachs/chests out WAY far? It sometimes makes it difficult to visualize what the shirt would really look like on a person who isn't sticking their preggo belly out as far as humanly possible.

Case in point:

http://www.motherhood.com/Product.as...ategory_Id=MC1

I don't think I would want to wear this shirt because I feel like it would make my back hurt (even though I'm sure it wouldn't).

Why do they do that?

p.s. I'm not really upset about this. Just a little bit tired and in a silly sort of mood.

[MaerynPearl]

probably a lot to do with the old cliche of being so large that your center of balance is thrown off and you have to lean waaaaaay back to compensate (we do lean, just not THAT far)

though obviously if that models pregnant at all... she does not need to lean yet lol... maybe shes not pregnant and trying to make it look like she is?

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

maybe shes not pregnant and trying to make it look like she is?

lol...yeah, that had crossed my mind, too. Or else it makes me think of a woman who is juuuuust barely starting to show and wants everyone to take notice of her tiny little bump.

Here is another example.

http://www.motherhood.com/Product.as...tegory_Id=MC10

This one looks a little further along. Ouch, it hurts my back just to look.

[jsh7809]

My guess is because the models are fakers and have belly pillows! And are directed to stand like that so they look mo' pregnant
But who knows? I agree it is annoying... and here I am trying to stand up straight so the back doesn't hurt as much!

[Terrilein]

I dunno, it looks a lot like a "pop that belly and still show a silouhette" pose. You know, look and feel like a whale, but still try to make yourself feel sexy in just the right blouse and pose?

[lovebug]

i think they are trying to make the belly the focus... but it does look painful!

[BarnMomma]

Well I agree it's a stupid pose. And here's my other gripe..I'd like to see real preggers in these maternity ads. Bloated, swollen, chubby pregnant women wearing the clothes so that I can actually get a realistic idea of what that top would look like on ME...a bloated, swollen, chubby pregnant woman. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not one of those lucky few who just looks like they swallow a basketball. I don't gain 100lbs but I get wide, everything spreads, my hips pad up significantly, my usually trim butt gets round as the earth, my arms look huge, and even my knees get lumpy. So shopping online is tricky because those cute clingy tops that look nice on the model make me look like an overstuffed sausage or those wispy romantic flowy tops make me look like I'm wearing a circus tent. Don't get me started on maternity lingerie ads.

OK, sorry to hijack here. Just venting.

[BabyWang2010]

Originally Posted by Homebirth_Mom216

Or else it makes me think of a woman who is juuuuust barely starting to show and wants everyone to take notice of her tiny little bump.

Hey I do this but in my defense I'm almost five months and you can barely tell. A lot of mommas that I've seen who are 20 weeks have a lot more belly to show off than I do and as a proud parent who wants the world to know she's having a baby I can't help wanting my belly to be, at least, noticeable.

To stay OT though, I think half the models at motherhood aren't really preggers cause they have slim features every where and then a pregnant belly. It's like the only place they gained weight was there bellies. I was personally a smaller sized girl before I got pregnant but now that I've added some pregnancy weight I can see it in my face arms and legs, not just my belly.

[nikirj]

CURSE YOU now I want that sweater.

I think it's so that you can see the curves. And it is really not a big variation on the shoulders-back standard model/beauty queen pose (try it), it just looks kind of ridiculous for a pregnant woman, when we can't really hold that posture for very long.

[RedOakMomma]

Why do they stand like that?

Because most "maternity" models are stick insects that are not, and have not, been pregnant. Gotta stick out what you have, and try to look fierce while doing it!

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Originally Posted by BabyWang2010

Hey I do this but in my defense I'm almost five months and you can barely tell. A lot of mommas that I've seen who are 20 weeks have a lot more belly to show off than I do and as a proud parent who wants the world to know she's having a baby I can't help wanting my belly to be, at least, noticeable.

Don't worry, it'll be out there soon!

After thinking about this a bit more, I will also admit that probably every pregnant mother goes through a phase where you're showing enough that it is noticeable, but difficult to discern whether it is pregnancy or just a big gut, so there definitely is a period of time when ya kind of do want to stick it out a bit just to say "yep, pregnant".

[Tizzy]

I dunno, I know a few people IRL who don't change at all except for their cute round pregnant bellies. They pop the baby out and look pretty much back to normal within 2 weeks
I think it's great! There's no way I'd expect that of myself, but I don't think it's at all unrealistic.

[Bethla]

I would love to see a model with a double chin and full cheeks just like me!

[finn'smama]

Originally Posted by BarnMomma

Well I agree it's a stupid pose. And here's my other gripe..I'd like to see real preggers in these maternity ads. Bloated, swollen, chubby pregnant women wearing the clothes so that I can actually get a realistic idea of what that top would look like on ME...a bloated, swollen, chubby pregnant woman. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not one of those lucky few who just looks like they swallow a basketball. I don't gain 100lbs but I get wide, everything spreads, my hips pad up significantly, my usually trim butt gets round as the earth, my arms look huge, and even my knees get lumpy. So shopping online is tricky because those cute clingy tops that look nice on the model make me look like an overstuffed sausage or those wispy romantic flowy tops make me look like I'm wearing a circus tent. Don't get me started on maternity lingerie ads.

OK, sorry to hijack here. Just venting.

I can totally relate! I gain 50 lbs every time I get pregnant and I have tiny babies, so it all ends up going to my ass and thighs and face
Lumpy is a good way of putting it!