This Curve Model Does Realistic Clothing Hauls on TikTok

Ever order something online, and when it comes in, it looks nothing like how it looked on the model? Of course; it’s one of the perils of e-commerce. It’s a bummer, but on TikTok there is one creator who is posting funny, relatable content around this experience. That would be Remi Bader, a 25-year-old curve model based in New York. On her page, which has more than 790,000 followers, Bader does realistic clothes hauls, in which she orders things online and then reviews them based on how they originally looked on the website. 

The idea for her TikTok page actually began when she was shopping for a test shoot this past summer and couldn’t find any suitable pieces to wear. “I went to about 15 different well-known stores in Soho, and not one of them had above a size 10 or 12,” says Bader, who usually wears a size 14 or 16. “I later posted [on TikTok] about how none of the clothes we order online actually look like [they do on] the models in the photos, and always look insanely different in person.” 

Since most hauls focus only on the positives, Bader’s realistic point of view resonated. This type of body-positive messaging is on the rise on social media; creators such as Katie Sturino have even made public campaigns—hers is titled #MakeMySize—that call out brands that refuse to accommodate larger sizing. Bader’s first video ended up gaining traction with more than 200,000 views, and now she has made this the focus of her content: She will regularly order pieces from popular brands such as Anthropologie or Aritzia, and even model them for her followers in the same exact poses that the models did on the website. “People really get a kick out of this,” she says. No piece is off the table. Bader has tested out swimsuits, sweatpants, blazers, and lingerie. She will even re-create celebrity outfits sometimes, too. 

For the most part, Bader buys everything herself for her videos, though occasionally she will partner with brands and is gifted pieces. On her Poshmark page, she often resells the pieces that didn’t work on her or no longer fit. “You do not need to throw [items] out,” she notes.

Bader hopes her TikTok videos will showcase that not every brand’s or store’s sizing is the same, and that her followers shouldn’t get discouraged if something happens to be bigger or smaller than advertised. “No brands across the board will ever have the same sizing; it’s just the way the fashion industry is,” says Bader. “I’ve gotten thousands of messages that the hauls are really making people feel more confident and happier, and that’s why I continue to make them.” Bader also says in doing these videos it has helped her self-esteem during the shopping process: “The feedback my followers have given me has truly boosted my confidence and happiness. I’m so thankful for that.”

Below, Bader discusses what her day job looks like, where she gets her TikTok ideas, and what her favorite TikTok of all time is. 

Vogue: How did you become a curve model?

Remi Bader: I was working at Tidal, Jay-Z’s music streaming service, for more than a year. I was let go in July due to COVID and didn’t know what to do, since there were barely any jobs. My dad actually gave me the idea to send some photos and my measurements to different modeling agencies and just try it. I heard back from one agency, [Stetts], and signed with them right away as a curve print and fit model. Modeling is slow right now due to COVID still; some weeks I’m busy and some I have no jobs at all. TikTok has almost become more time-consuming for me than anything. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of virtual fittings for my modeling clients. 

Let’s talk about your realistic hauls. What inspired you to do this? 

Bader: I have always sent photos to my friends, laughing about how different the clothes look on me in person that I order online, no matter what the brand. I started this the day that I ordered a huge package from Pretty Little Thing and not one thing that was “my size” fit me correctly and everything ran super small. When this happens, it’s truly comical to me, but when I do shop in stores, I tend to get more upset and discouraged when things just continuously don’t fit my body. Once the first video of Pretty Little Thing went viral, I decided to keep doing these hauls from different fast-fashion brands and make the point that we can’t blame our bodies—it’s the clothing brands’ fault. 

What’s your process for creating TikToks? Where do you get ideas?

Bader: I never try on the clothes before I make the videos, so my actual reactions on camera are my true first reactions to ever seeing the way the items look on my body. I think that’s why it’s so relatable and realistic. When I say the crazy things that I say or sing random songs, it literally just comes to me in the moment. A lot of the ideas and concepts come to mind at the most random times—before bed, in the shower. I’ve always been a pretty creative person but never got to use my creativity in the corporate world, and that’s why this is so exciting for me right now. 

Do you think people often get discouraged with online shopping? 

Bader: Online shopping for me is a hit or miss, and then I’m able to laugh about it, but I don’t think this is the case for the majority of people. It really damages their self-esteem, and a lot of people take the fit of clothing personally. Being a curvier girl, it is just frustrating. I want to make this easier for all of the people who struggle with this, which is why I put effort into buying all of these clothes and making the videos. When people see how these items look on my body, it gives other people a better idea of how it will look on them. 

I also love how you are honest about and critical of plus-size lines, and how the pieces often don’t fit right. Is this a common struggle? 

 Bader: A lot of these brands that carry plus sizes still don’t know what they’re doing. Sadly it’s still new for brands to extend their sizing. I always want to give brands a chance when their sizing is off, but they still carry larger sizes. At least they’re trying. The brands that refuse to even make the effort to make larger sizes are the ones I’m not a fan of. 

What are your tips for online shopping? You seem to be a pro!

Bader: The best tip I learned throughout this year when online shopping is to know your body measurements. Your bust. Waist and hips are the most important. Every single website has a size chart, and you can see what size you are on that specific chart. I am a 14/16 usually, but on some sites I’m an 18, a 2X, a medium, or large. It legit varies for every single brand, so when you know your measurements and accept that you will not be one size for all clothing, that makes shopping so much easier. Get some measuring body tape on Amazon and keep it handy. It does wonders. 

What have you been into fashionwise lately? Where do you get most of your pieces?

Bader: When putting together my outfits, I like to do simple and then have one or two things that stand out. I love to wear bodysuits with maybe some flared jeans, an oversized blazer, and a great purse with a pop of color. I like to try a lot of different brands, but some of my go-to places right now that have larger sizes are Fashion Nova, American Eagle, Aerie, Zara, Reformation, Missguided, Good American, and Athleta. 

What’s the most special piece in your wardrobe?  

Bader: Oversized blazers are really my thing and make any outfit look cool, and they make me feel confident. That’s my go-to. 

There’s a specific look to TikTok that seems to be popular (e-girls/e-boys). Do you see the fashion community on TikTok changing at all?

Bader: I think this is more of a Gen-Z phase that will fade out eventually. I think there are a lot of TikTok trends that Gen-Z puts out there that end up not lasting long. For example, the “no skinny jeans, no side parts, and no laughing emojis,” phenomenon—as they say, it’s “not cool” anymore. I made a video on this yesterday. No one can tell anyone what they can and can’t wear or do!

What’s your favorite TikTok of all time? 

Bader: My favorite TikTok and the one that went most viral is the Free People haul. I changed this haul up a bit by copying the exact poses of the online photos of each outfit. People really got a kick out of this. Obviously, these videos take longer. They’re super fun to make, though!