If you're obsessed with everything Victoria's Secret and Pink, then you've probably heard that they're bringing back their swimwear. Is this good news or is this bad news? Should you really be jumping up and down ready for a VS swimwear haul this summer?
It has been almost three years since VS swimwear called it quits and chose to focus more on their lingerie items and sportswear. In the meantime, where have people been getting their bathing suits? Chances are if you've been on social media since VS went on their swimsuit hiatus, you've seen an influx of one-piece bathing suit pictures on your Instagram feed. Maybe you too have opted for the one piece over a two piece. Or for high waisted bottoms if you were going to wear a two piece.
I'm not saying that bikinis died after VS canceled their swimwear, but I low key am. Without the swimwear mogul releasing dozens and dozens of bikinis and being fed ridiculous body standard pictures, society may have moved away from the expectation of "body expectation" and closer to "body acceptance." This is especially true with Aerie's campaign #everyBODYisbeautiful as they begin to show girls with all different body types and become a more inclusive brand. Meanwhile, Victoria's Secret remains exclusive to smaller sizes and only features petite women. And since the brand hasn't made any strides to be more inclusive, we can expect their swimwear to be targeted towards one body type.
If your body type is petite and you are naturally skinny, then celebrate your body and be comfortable in your skin! No body-shaming here. Everybody should be able to enjoy their summer and going to the beach without being ridiculed for their size. If you are upset that you do not look like a Victoria's Secret angel just know they still get photoshopped and airbrushed even though they are gorgeous. Imagine being Candace Swanepoel and still needing photoshop.
So, if you have been making strides with self-love, and loving your body even if it does not fit society's standard of beauty, just ignore Victoria's Secret this summer, because it is not worth compromising your self-esteem and progress just to be set back by a company that capitalizes on exclusion and eating disorders.
