Jcrew: Model Behavior

If you thought this gal couldn't love JCrew anymore, you just got served. From chambray shirts to retro beach accessories, JCrew is a frequent contributor to Ms Gingham both on and offline. Their latest catalogue features fabulous clothes and even more fabulous models. 

Feminist Fatale does a nice job of outlining JCrews awesome inclusiveness. In this years spring catalogue, staffers of varied size, race, and ethnicity work it in Jenna's picks. The best part? The lack of tagline prominently declaring just how fantastic it is that they are daring to show you something other than the stock model body type.

When magazines like glamour do special features on 'curvy' body types, it kind of makes me gag. Sure, it's great that a little variety is included. However, relegating women size 6-12 to a two page spread and shouting about how curvy they are while the rest of the magazine contains only traditional models makes the average woman seem exceptional, and not in a good way. Having real women as the minority in a magazine reinforces 'normal' models as the rule rather than the exception to it.

These women are h-o-t. And it's great that Glamour featured them, but are they really plus size and should they be the exception? Not so much. Of course JCrew has its imperfections- but on the model point I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Thanks JCrew.