Guess what time of the year it is! Christmas time you say? No? Well, I mean yes but I'm talking about something else; something almost as good as Christmas. I'm talking about the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. It will be airing on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. Central) on CBS. Ever since I discovered Victoria's Secret had a televised event, I've been glued to the TV when it airs. I was obsessed with watching the Angels strutting their stuff in their extravagant wings and fabulous lingerie. As a result of my obsession I've even told my parents that if I don't get into vet school I'll just become an Angel. They objected of course. The point is, who wouldn't want to be a Victoria's Secret Angel? They have amazing bodies, gorgeous hair, and get to go to work in their underwear. Basically, they have it made. They don't have to worry about that extra slice of pizza they had for lunch because their expensive personal trainer will make sure they sweat it off before anyone can make a comment about it.
Though I love the Angels and the VS Fashion Show to death, they both have a fatal flaw. They both allow the beauty standard to thrive. Victoria's Secret Angels are not the people we should be basing our "body goals" on. Their livelihood is looking good. They have personal trainers. They have the money to go blow at Whole Foods to make sure they're only eating organic. They have professionals to do their hair and makeup for them. Normal, everyday people like you and I do not have these things, and that is perfectly all right.
In today's society there is a very obvious beauty standard. In short, it basically says that all women should look the same if they want to be beautiful. What is the desired body type you ask? Well other than being nearly impossible, it includes being skinny but having large breasts as well as a big butt. The Victoria's Secret Angels are a perfect example of the beauty standard. Do these standards sound crazy and unattainable to anyone else? Well that's because they are for the vast majority of us. The beauty standard is a load of crap. We're not clones of one another. We're all different and that isn't news to anyone. So why should we put pressure on ourselves to deny these facts?
All shapes and all sizes are beautiful. Say it with me, "All shapes and sizes are beautiful."
Forget about trying to look like an Angel because, because the hard truth is that you can't. Not because you aren't good enough, but because you have other things that demand your attention. I'm sure a lot of the Angels would look much more like you if they were waking up at 7 a.m. today to study for finals instead of strutting the runway. We live different lives, do different things, and make our way in the world in completely different ways, so don't expect to look the same either. Just be yourself and love it.
There is so much pressure on young girls to be skinny and look beautiful. Everywhere you look there is a diet commercial or some tall, busty girl selling underwear or makeup. Society thinks that being beautiful is the same thing as being skinny. That's not true. Society needs to realize that the beauty standard is largely unattainable and has the power to hurt people. Every year girls will get eating disorders or try to harm themselves because they believe that if they aren't skinny, they aren't good enough. It is time for a change. The beauty standard needs to be reevaluated. What someone looks like walking down a runway in lingerie is not a measure of a person's worth. So if you are one of those people who will tune into the show on Tuesday, don't get too caught up in the image. Instead, grab your credit card, buy yourself a pair of sexy underwear, and have your own fashion show.
