I can distinctly remember when everyone was celebrating diverse bodies in fashion? Models of all shapes, sizes and skin colour were gracing magazine covers, and brands were finally starting to display clothes on people who looked, well, like everyday people. It honestly felt like a major win for body positivity. But lately, something’s shifted and maybe you have noticed it too. It seems like the fashion pendulum might be swinging back to skinny.
The Return of the (Super) Skinny?
Nowadays, while scrolling through my Instagram or flipping through magazines, it’s hard to ignore the growing number of ultra-thin models and celebrities (cue: Kylie Jenner’s transformation from the baddie with BBL to slimness, Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo dramatic weight loss, and so many other examples). Remember those campaigns from just a few years ago, featuring Ashley Graham or Paloma Elsesser looking fierce and fabulous? Those were the days.
But lately, it feels like we’re seeing less and less of that kind of representation. Instead, it’s all about visible ribs, thigh gaps, and that “heroin chic” aesthetic that was so self-damaging in the ’90s.
This is not an exaggeration. A quick glance at the latest fashion week runways or the biggest ad campaigns will confirm this for you as well. This trend seems to be leaning heavily towards models who fit the traditional (and often unrealistic) “sample size” mold (a.k.a model thin). And while there are still some plus-size models working, they often seem to be the exception, not the rule.
Why the Shift?
So, what’s going on? Why is fashion seemingly taking a step back from its much touted inclusivity campaign? I have a few theories on this:
One possibility is that fashion industry trends are cyclical. Skinny was “in” before, and maybe it’s now making a comeback. But keep in mind that trends don’t just exist in a vacuum. They’re influenced by social, economic, and cultural factors.
Another possibility is it could be that some fashion brands are worried about isolating certain consumers? Or maybe they’re under pressure to appeal to specific international markets where thinner models are still considered the ideal model standard?
Then again, it could be about cutting costs (less fabric required for smaller sizes) or maybe it’s a combination of all these things.
Another possible factor I should point out is that it could be social media. While social media platforms like Instagram can be a space for body positivity and it’s influencers, the app can also perpetuate very unrealistic beauty standards and lead to a whole lot of body image issues . Filters, editing, and the curated nature of online content can make it seem like everyone is perfect and thin. And let’s be real, that’s just not reality.
The Impact on Us, the Audience
Continuous viewing of predominantly thin models can have a negative impact on how we feel about ourselves, especially if we have body image complexes. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and even body dysmorphia.
If all we see are images of super-skinny women who are apparently living glamorous lives due to their body type. Before you know it, it becomes easy to start thinking that’s the only way to be beautiful. And that’s just false.
It’s especially concerning for younger audiences who are still developing their sense of self. These images can shape their perceptions of beauty and what’s considered “normal.” And that can have long-lasting consequences for their mental and physical health.
What Can We Do?
So, what can we do about it? First, we need to be aware of the messages we’re being ‘assaulted’ with. It’s vital we recognise that these images are often highly curated and don’t represent the vast majority of people. We need to be highly critical consumers of media and challenge the idea that there’s only one type of way to be beautiful, especially as a woman.
We can also support brands that are doing it right – brands that showcase models of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds and lend our individual voices to the calm for better representation in the fashion industry. Let brands know that we want to see everyday bodies in their campaigns.
By doing this, we can remind them that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
Conclusion
The return to focusing on majorly skinny models is a reminder that the fight for body positivity is far from over. It is now a call to action for all of us to be more critical of the images we consume and to demand better representation from the fashion industry.
While doing this, we also keep in mind that our bodies are worthy of celebration, and we deserve to see that reflected in the media (television, social media, advertisements) we engage with.
