I've seen the ads showcasing plus-size models, and I have been so happy to see women who look more like me. However, although these models may be my size, they don't accurately represent me. Where are the small imperfections that make a woman truly beautiful and real?
We've all heard of photoshop and we all know it is used in most advertisements we see. The only company I can think of that doesn't photoshop is Aerie. Any birth marks or small imperfections are kept in their images and it looks beautiful.
I myself am a plus-size woman. I have no problem admitting I have rolls and stretch marks. The only problem is I do not see these in the women that are advertising the clothing that I wear.
Some of these models don't even appear to be plus-size. Robyn Lawley is the first plus size model to be featured in Sports Illustrated, and when you see her picture she does not look plus sized.
To be a plus sized woman and see this woman modeling plus size clothing is upsetting. If this woman is considered plus size, then what am I?
The modeling industry is a little off about what is average to them versus what the actual average clothing size is. Let's take Stefania Ferrario for example. She posted on her Instagram that "Unfortunately in the modeling industry if you're above a US size 4 you are considered plus size...I do not find this empowering."
When you look at clothing sizes you would think the average size is not plus size, but you are mistaken. The average woman's clothing size is between 12 and 14. Sizes 12 and 14 are considered plus size, so plus size is average.
The media has defined what beauty is and I want to see real people redefine it. Let us let our belly rolls hang out, our stretch marks be exposed, and our cellulite be gorgeously displayed. We have to do this to show other women out there that all of these things are normal. Body confidence is hard to obtain, but the advertisements young women see are ruining their self image.
Even though you may see an advertisement for Victoria's Secret and don't think about it, you still process it on a subconscious level. An impossible standard has been set by the media and this is what promotes eating disorders and negative self images.
The solution has to be to showcase people who are average. I would rather see a girl I would normally see on the street than a model on the cover of a magazine. I would rather see the stretch marks on the thighs of the models that have them instead of the photoshopped final piece.
So to anyone in the media or the modeling industry, stop photoshopping and show the real thing.
