Lane Bryant recently kicked off the #ImNoAngel campaign, taking a bold jab at the Victoria’s Secret ideal of beauty, which often champions a stick-thin figure while still flaunting curves. The campaign’s goal is to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes as inherently sexy.
The response has been mostly positive, but some critics argue that these women are being “objectified.” As someone who prides herself on being a professional feminist killjoy, I still find these images empowering. Here’s my take:
Lane Bryant caters to women who often struggle to find fashionable clothing in the limited sizes offered by many mainstream retailers. As someone who typically wears a size 12-14 and often finds myself on the larger side of what’s available, I can confirm it’s a challenge to locate these sizes in stores. This is particularly frustrating considering that the average American woman wears a size 14, yet we’re made to feel like we need special stores just to find something that fits.
Enter Lane Bryant, a brand that offers stylish clothing starting at that oh-so-common size 14. They’ve been helping women feel beautiful for years by creating clothing that actually fits. When I see these images, I think, “That bra looks fantastic on her. I bet I’d rock it too!” It makes me want to give her a virtual high-five. On the flip side, when I glance through a Victoria’s Secret catalog, I often think, “That looks amazing on her, but when I try it on, I might just need a moment to weep in the corner.”
A few months ago, Sports Illustrated received an outpouring of online praise for featuring a “plus-size” model. But let’s be real: the model in question wasn’t plus-size; can we all just agree on that? Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is primarily geared towards men. It’s not a shopping guide for women; it’s more like eye candy for the 77% of male subscribers.
In contrast, the Lane Bryant images are crafted for women, sending a powerful message: “Yes, your body may have changed or never fit the traditional mold, but who cares? You look amazing.” This is the kind of reassurance we all need to hear. After having two kids, I sometimes feel like a stranger in my own body. But this campaign encourages me to embrace my shape and find clothes that fit well. Hallelujah!
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In summary, it’s crucial to recognize the difference between celebrating women’s bodies and objectifying them. Lane Bryant’s campaign empowers women to embrace their curves and feel fabulous, while other brands often cater to unrealistic standards. Let’s all start embracing our bodies, because we are beautiful just the way we are!