Aerie’s recent underwear campaign aimed at promoting body positivity among men was revealed to be an elaborate April Fool’s Day joke. Traditionally, underwear advertisements feature conventionally attractive individuals—those with perfect symmetry and toned physiques. While there’s nothing wrong with models, they hardly represent the typical man or woman. Thus, when Aerie announced a new initiative called AerieMan, showcasing a diverse group of men embracing their natural figures, many were excited. It’s refreshing to see average men represented in advertising.
However, this excitement was short-lived. The campaign, which launched on March 24, was ultimately just a poorly thought-out publicity stunt. This isn’t a case of the public being overly gullible; Aerie had already gained a reputation for authenticity by abandoning retouched images and promoting a variety of body shapes in their advertisements. The campaign featured humorous videos of men proudly displaying their “unretouched” bodies, which seemed to resonate well with the audience.
Major outlets like InStyle praised the initiative for promoting the message that “the real you is sexy.” Influencers, including popular blogger Jamie Collins, expressed hope that it wasn’t merely a prank. Yet, the positive responses took the brand by surprise, leading to backlash when it was revealed to be a joke.
Imagine if Aerie had pulled a similar stunt with their “Real Women” campaign; they would have faced an uproar. Why should the same principle not apply to men? There exists a perception that men are less affected by societal pressures regarding body image.
Chad Morgan, the Global Brand President of Aerie, expressed in a press release that they are not afraid to take bold steps in engaging their customers. However, the humor in this situation seems misplaced, especially given the serious implications surrounding body positivity.
What’s alarming is that Aerie failed to capitalize on the positive reception the campaign received. They had already seen success from their female-targeted body positivity initiatives, so it would have been logical to extend this approach to men. Instead of continuing the campaign, they opted for a $25,000 donation to the National Eating Disorders Association, which felt like an inadequate response. Body positivity is a significant and real concern that affects everyone, regardless of gender.
In summary, while Aerie’s attempt at humor missed the mark, it also highlighted an important conversation around body image, one that deserves sincerity and commitment to change. For more insights on related topics, consider visiting resources like this article or this one, which discuss home insemination and fertility journeys. Additionally, you can find valuable information on pregnancy and related topics at this Wikipedia page.