Just this week, CBS aired it's extremely popular "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show." Models walked up and down the runway in sexy lingerie and limited clothing. The tweets and facebook statuses during the show were endless. Many women though said the same status- "I wish I could LOOK like a Victoria's Secret model."
Here's just a preview of what some of the ladies looked like:
There's no doubt that these girls are beautiful, but they're also portraying an unrealistic image. Most of these females are 5'7'' and a Size 2, something that's a requirement in the modeling world. Women who are over that size are turned away. Pretty much all of my friends are beautiful women, but I don't think any of them fit this requirement.
And honestly, that is okay. But, according to Victoria's Secret, the modeling world and Hollywood, that is nowhere near okay.
Women labeled as desirable didn't used to fit into this requirement. The hottest star in the 1950's was a buxom blonde named Marilyn Monroe. This is what she looked like:
She is listed as probably one of the most beautiful starlets to ever grace Hollywood. And today, she would be considered fat. Popular UK Department Store Debenham's has listed her the best beach body of all time, even 50 years after her death. Her size? 37-23-36, probably equivalent to a size 8, at most a 10! A SIZE TEN PEOPLE!
Her curves were desired by so many women and men alike, and people still admire her. Yet, women strive to be skinny when Marilyn admired her curves and could care less. Back then, curves were a desire. It wasn't until the fame of models like Twiggy did skinny get in. But, how people today say they want to look like Marilyn yet starve themselves baffle me. The woman was curvy and would not fit into the fashion model requirements of today at all. In today's world, Marilyn would be blasted by the tabloids for her figure. I honestly find it astonishing that those magazines talk about how beautiful she is and then go on to slam an actress who has gain some weight that would be comparable to Miss Monroe.
There are days when I think the world is starting to change and realize that the perfect body stereotype is a lie. America's Next Top Model crowned a plus-sized model. Kim Kardashian is listed as one of the top bodies in the world and also flaunts a curvier figure. Stars like Jessica Simpson and Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett have shown the world how difficult it is for a woman to lose weight after pregnancy.
It's still not enough, though. Many normal girls are slammed everyday for being fat and not skinny enough. The popular television show, Glee, is portraying a girl struggling with bulimia right now. Eating disorders are common and even more men these days are struggling with it.
That's why I am a HUGE fan of the Dove Real Women campaign.
I had the honor of meeting one of the 6 women who were featured in the campaign, Stacy Nadeau (seen here on the right). Today, she is a motivational speaker who goes across college campuses nationwide to talk about body issues. Stacy herself received criticism for the Dove Campaign- one journalist said he hated seeing her fat butt everyday on the way to work. But, women around the world rejoiced and defended Stacy. She is nowhere near a size 2, but that hasn't stopped her. She is proud and comfortable in her body and America fell in love with the Dove campaign (take away the criticism of the campaign for being owned by the same company as Axe).
Although there are strides in the beauty world to define what is attractive, America is still nowhere near where we need to be. As long as we have the Victoria's Secret Fashion show every fall showing us what women should look like to be sexy, the conversation will still be ongoing.
I may have criticized many people the other day for pointing out how women should wear their correct size. And you should- don't be so in denial that you're a larger size than you want to be. You should feel comfortable in your own skin. And, if you don't that is okay. Wear the size and then work on getting that extra weight off. Believe me, when the clothes are way too large for you, it will feel amazing.
I just ask women to be the size they are most comfortable in. Don't worry about what others think of you. It may seem hard (and it is hard) to accept. It was hard for me for a long time. But, once I started wearing clothes that made me look and feel good, I felt comfortable. And I'm definitely a happier person now. Am I a size 4 like I was in high school? No, and sometimes I do miss those days. But, I definitely am happy right now where I am today, and that's fine by me. Don't worry about what those models look like; screw them and Victoria's Secret and the media. Just be yourself and happy.
