Let’s take a look back in history: a train to serve as time travel. Shall we?
This mode of transportation will first push forward through some dangerous curves, where ‘50s bombshells such as Marilyn Monroe serve not only as the epitome of “ideal” for inspired females but as iconic sex symbols in a patriarchal universe whom we can all probably agree continues to stand the testament of time.
Now, the train slows down suddenly. The turbulence from the initial curbs and bends of the ‘50s prepare the drivers and passengers as vigilant to proceed with caution. Alas, the next destinations are linear, leading to the straight and slender figures of the ‘60s Twiggy. Next comes the strong and taut stops of the ‘70s; Diana Ross never ceases to amaze in her bell bottom pants and flashy glitter. Of course, the railroads symbolic of her silhouette would need to build the physical endurance to carry said train and progress to its even more toned counterparts: the athletic ‘80s bods, the Olivia Newton Johns. Grease is still very much the word, at this point. It was all about pumping iron, before we knew it as GTL and knowing how to “lift.” But it doesn’t even begin to compare to the unattainable stops of the silicone Pamela Andersons and Britney Spears of the ‘90s or even 2000s.
...Which brings us to NOW. How do we even begin to define our somewhat contradictory, but also very inclusive “standards” of the female body? Thanks to social media and Instagram curvy models/”body activists” like Ashley Graham or Tess Holliday, we’re quickly introducing this new world of body diversity and body positivity: one that promotes the beauty and appreciation of all different shapes and sizes.
So, what’s the problem?
Well, allow me to shed some light, tough love and pretty vs. ugly truths. First off, throughout the periods of each desired body type - no matter whether we transcended through the “thick” or “thin” (pun intended) - there would always be some crazy means or diet/exercise/trend to attain such specific #bodygoal. For example, in the 50s, women used to get squeezed into insanely tight corsets to achieve that tiny hourglass waist. You would think that because the popular status quo was to appear curvy, that their mantra would encourage women to relax and just eat whatever they want in moderation, be healthy, etc. Nothing too far-fetched! But to further accentuate the exaggerated ratio between chest, stomach and hips; women in that day and age were practically coerced to indulge in the hopeful idea that they can accomplish that perceivingly impossible measurements that plastic, non-human Mattel Barbie dolls were made of. A narrow stomach to carry an ample bust and butt just seemed so mentally overwhelming to conceive.
Then came the “starvation diets” that often borderlined, resembled or essentially were “eating disorders’. The weekly fat flush to lose water weight and look good in a dress for a party, the cayenne pepper and honey diet, the no-carb craze, or any fads that you’ve seen trusted in the hands of Oprah and Beyonce. Then there was hot yoga, circuit training, pole dancing and any other form of exercise that keeps your body guessing and your workout versatile; but can also render too vigourous or strenuous for the average person. So we witnessed celebrities and compared ourselves to those who can afford chefs, trainers, photographers and a little plastic surgery. We’ve watched their weight go up, go down, and finally it occurred to us how ridiculous our society and the industry criticized us for being imperfect.
Then, something kinda amazing happened.
The media took notice, the fashion shows and labels changed up their rules so it wouldn’t force a model over a pound to resort to desperate, unsafe measures; just to keep their jobs. Little girls and older women alike wouldn’t look up to females who only fall under one body shape, size or structure.
With the advances and invention of social media, filters or the like, ladies everywhere were contrasting their looks with those who have been photoshopped and airbrushed to not even look like themselves! We filtered, we XPro-ed, we Valencia-ed, and we tanned ; until we emulated the very cores of the flawless “real” and “down-to-earth” girls of Instagram.
But, then something even more amazing happened! Flawless became us. Flawless became me. Flawless became you!
Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model to ever grace the pages of Sports Illustrated. A force to be reckoned with, such a milestone paved her path in rejuvenating and saving the industry; resuming to be featured in bestselling publications like Cosmopolitan and Maxim. But to top it all off, her breathtaking TED Talk mused women everywhere that we can just be a model and not just a “plus-size model”; “pretty,” but not “pretty for a big girl”. Suddenly, we realized that our size doesn’t dictate our worth. Our beauty and weight were never mutually exclusive.
Then came Tess Holliday, the first model to ever be a size 22 and at the height of 5’1. Many argued she was too “big” to model, since plus-size models often stopped at a 16 or 18. But as founder of the hashtag #effyourbeautystandards and an Instagram model in her own right, Tess not only disproved the masses but followed her dreams and created an entirely authentic trend of loving yourself.
Soon enough, everyday girls around the world were strutting their stuff on their Instagram profiles and photos; as a size 2, a size 12, a size 22. Pregnant women, older women, younger women. They didn’t let their ages, abilities, races, bodies, medical conditions, or mental illnesses stop them from celebrating their beauty. They didn’t let old mainstream ideals define their value. Whether they were at their goal weight or just starting out, they expressed themselves in a suit, in a frock, in a bikini to just be themselves and not worry about what everyone else thought.
Then body positivity became a thing. The world took notes. It was nothing short of revolutionary. Yes bullies will always exist, but the optimistic comments completely overshadowed the negative. Women who were victims of abuse, cancer, etc. showed loud and proud that they were survivors. It wasn’t about size anymore. It was about any type of scar or “difference”. Our wounds became beautiful; not because they were unique or non-conformist, but because we won. We overcame and triumphed over the battles we’ve been given.
We indulged in our thick thighs and our tummy rolls. Bikini bridges and thigh gaps made one person beautiful, while side boob and hip cleavage made someone else. But while Instagram highlighted our greatest gifts, vanity sizing and curvier bloggers made us wonder if these changes were completely advantageous. While social media affirms the freedom of expression and right to showcase yourself in any shape or size, some may argue that its reinforcement of certain body types may inadvertently cause obesity or eating disorders. While this may be debatable, it also dwelves into the discussion of body shaming and ostracizing specific body types. For example, while one culture may scrutinize a girl for being too thin, another may belittle a girl for being too big. Certain blogs on Instagram may promote females with larger breasts or glutes; another the conventionally svelte model type. Certain stores may implement vanity sizing; putting a smaller or larger number than a size actually is on its label, to make a woman feel better about herself. But the reality is that the cut and fabric of each outfit or brand is different, much like a woman. So you may be one size in one store, top or pants; and another in one store, top or pants.
Either way, regardless of generous labels or mirrors, we are all beautiful just the way we are. Yes, we may need to reduce our waistlines to become healthier for ourselves. We may be required to lose or gain weight, depending on our present situation, in order to become our most natural selves that we’re inclined to be. The same companies or blogs you blame for euphemising the rising health issues of obesity or eating disorders, you can also attribute for finally incorporating and allowing us to feel that the bodies we are can be included; whether we change them, or we don’t. Every body exists, and every body is beautiful in their own way.