When I was little, I used to dream of the day I could walk into Victoria's Secret and belong. While this was obviously not a dream I voiced often, the thought of going in and picking out fancy bras and underwear always thrilled a younger me. It was a coming of age ritual I had yet to experience, and when it finally happened I remember being over the moon with joy.
I went in and picked out a set much too scandalous for the average 13-year-old, got properly measured, and all while trying it on, I thought I was the sexiest thing on the planet. While this was so not the case, shopping at Victoria's Secret did wonders for my confidence, as I blossomed into a young woman. And after all these years, that feeling of self-worth hasn't changed.
However, my needs have morphed since then, as well as my financial situation for obtaining such expensive undergarments. I could no longer afford to buy such expensive bras and underwear working off of my own savings, especially when people rarely saw my lingerie to begin with. Thus, I turned my focus (and finances) to their swimsuit line. This way I could still take part in the glamorous shopping experience that was Victoria's Secret, and my cute purchases would be on display for the whole beach to see.
I invested in many takes on the traditional bikini -- halter tops, cheeky bottoms, etc. -- in numerous colors. Victoria’s Secret swimwear rivaled their bras in style and craftsmanship, and their prices weren’t as outrageous when compared to the competition. Needless to say, I became infatuated.
This is why the news of the discontinuation of Victoria’s Secret’s swimsuit line earlier this month hit me hard. Management has announced that after 2016, they will no longer be selling their snazzy swimwear. This re-focus, along with a 200-person layoff, is due to the decision to improve upon core products and the release of a new exercise line that executives believe will increase sales drastically.
Even now, after researching the proclamation and writing this article, I am baffled at how a line of active wear could surpass a swimsuit section in sales. Victoria’s Secret is a national corporation, supplying their products to teenage girls and young women everywhere. And forgive me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t every girl need a quality swimsuit, something she can put on without looking in the mirror and just know that she looks good? For me, and many others out there, that suit was made by Victoria’s Secret -- less expensive than the average bikini set and supplied with the convenience of a dressing room in order to ensure a proper fit, other swimwear companies are left with rather large shoes to fill. And if the competition doesn't live up to our high expectations, customers can always stock up on Angel swimwear while it's still in stores for the next eight months.
So with this, I bid farewell to the beloved Victoria’s Secret swimwear collection. May we always remember you by your flashy cuts, flirty prints, and out-of-the-box styles that have graced beaches everywhere for as long as I can remember. You will most certainly be missed.
