While the fashion world can be an encouraging and inspiring area, it can also be quite toxic. The fashion industry has been the root of countless peoples’ body image issues for decades. Models have become increasingly thinner, and magazine covers have become progressively more photoshopped. People compare themselves to these images because the fashion world has extremely strong influences on people. Even those that are not necessarily interested in fashion, are still affected by the ideas that the fashion industry promotes. The fashion world ultimately gets to choose our worlds’ current “ideal” style, and body type – which is beyond unrealistic.
Our society praises models for being thin, as that is considered our culture’s ideal body. According to, http://eatingdisorderhope.com, “Let’s take a moment to look at reality. If a woman is 5’9 and weighs 110 pounds, her BMI is 16.2, which is considered underweight. In 1968, the average fashion model was 8% thinner than the average woman. Today models are 23% thinner. Our cultural ideal is shrinking.” This is incredibly concerning information. People look up to these models, and begin making unhealthy choices in an attempt to look more like them.
This is a photo of a model in the year 1968. She is not unbelievably thin. The focus of the photo is not necessarily her body. Modeling has changed drastically.
This is a photo of a current model. As you can see, she is significantly more thin. Of course, this woman could be naturally thin – but she does not have the average body type. Models very rarely represent any kind of average body type. As a result, people waste years of their lives trying to attain these unrealistic goals.
According to, http://centerfordiscovery.com, “Research proves that the thin celebrities our mainstream media often promotes as standards of female beauty can have a very negative and powerful impact on the teenagers of today.” It saddens me personally to see so many people affected so negatively by an industry that I have so much love for.
Aerie was one of the first huge companies to begin using models of all different sizes. I think this is incredible, but I don’t want to be impressed. I want this to be considered normal.
I do understand that the fashion industry benefits off of people’s insecurities, similarly to the beauty industry. People feel inferior to the models they see promoting these products. They will buy what is being sold in an attempt to be more similar to the person promoting the product. They will feel unfulfilled by what they bought. This cycle is so sad. Instead, I wish companies would use models that actually look like average people. Consumers would choose products that they genuinely want/need. I hate that those working in this industry are willing too exploit our insecurities for their own profit.
I believe that the fashion industry should focus on celebrating the differences in our bodies. The basic idea of fashion is finding a way to express yourself through your style. I’m afraid that the focus of this industry has shifted from actual clothing, to the bodies that wear the clothing. Those in the fashion industry should be working to encourage people to enhance their beauty through new clothing and accessories. Fashion is meant to be fun and inspiring. I truly hope that the industry is able to make strides towards encouraging people to feel confident in their own skin.
Trinity Crompton 