What Does a Fitting Model Do

Practical Adult Insights; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,440 - 68,880; Part time

Job summary

Practical Adult Insights in Chicago is seeking a fitting model to try on garments for clothing manufacturers, providing feedback on fit and comfort during the production process. The role offers flexibility, with jobs typically lasting around two hours, making it an excellent secondary income option.

No special training is required, but a portfolio may be needed, and candidates must meet specific body measurements for booking. This role opens doors for many without the high glamour of typical modeling jobs.

Qualifications

• No special training required to become a fitting model.
• Portfolio including a resume and full-length photographs may be needed.
• Measurements must match those required for specific jobs.

Responsibilities

• Try on garments for clothing manufacturers to ensure fit.
• Provide feedback on comfort and fit issues of garments.
• Stand and walk to help designers assess each garment.

Job description

Fitting Model Position

A fitting model is contracted by clothing manufacturers to try on garments as they are being produced to allow designers to observe the garments on real people and to provide feedback about issues such as comfort. While working as a fitting model may be less glamorous than walking runways or posing for fashion spreads, fitting jobs tend to be easier to book than more high-profile modeling work and are usually also less time-consuming. Generally, there is no special training required to become a fitting model, although candidates may need a portfolio and usually must conform to the body measurements called for by specific jobs.

Responsibilities

Clothing manufacturers hire fitting models so they can ensure that nearly-completed designs "work" on real people. Generally, a fitting model reports to a manufacturer’s workroom and tries on one or more garments. After putting on each garment, the fitting model may be asked to stand still so the designer can observe the piece’s fit. She may also be asked to walk around so the designer can take note of any issues like bunching that may occur with movement. Additionally, she may be asked to comment on issues such as a garment’s comfort.

The job of a fitting model may lack the glamour and large paychecks common to more high-profile modeling work. As clothing manufacturers generally need fitting models to test every new design across a range of sizes, however, the number of fitting jobs available at any given time usually greatly outweighs the number of available high-profile jobs. Further, unlike high-profile modeling jobs, fitting work does not place a high premium on specific conceptions of physical beauty, making it a field which is open to many.

Qualifications

• There is no special training required to become a fitting model.
• Applicants may need a portfolio that includes a resume and full-length photographs.
• A model will only be booked for a specific job if the measurements match those called for by that job.

Benefits

Individual jobs tend to last for only around two hours, allowing significant free time or the option to pursue fit work as a secondary source of income.

Jobs are usually booked on a one-time basis, so full-time models may spend time lining up fittings. Working with a fitting agency may eliminate the need to book jobs on one’s own.