When thinking about purchasing under garments, lingerie, or swimwear most of us immediately go to Victoria's Secret. Why? Is it because a lean, slender body is what the world has now thought of as sexy or beautiful? Or is it because we feel that if we buy these bathing suits or undergarments that we'll look like these models? I find myself falsely believing both of these...
Having shopped at Victoria's Secret pretty much my whole life, I decided to walk into Aerie by American Eagle the other day. As I walked around, I tried to pay attention to the vibe the store gave off by the photographs on the wall.
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As I peered at the posters I noticed something we all have in common, that was no longer Photo-shopped out or hidden from the eyes of society: tattoos, side-boob, wrinkles and rolls in our skin when we turn our body a certain way, real curves that aren't perfect, and most importantly, thicker, real thighs. That was enough for me.
Not really noticing the difference until I decided to pay attention, I wanted to make aware the reoccurring situation that we continue to be put in as consumers.
After doing some research of my own to find out more, it was brought to my attention the Aerie has started a new campaign "Aerie Real." This campaign is all about using these women's original look and not retouching them with Photoshop. Most of the campaign ads show women modeling this lingerie stating "The girl in this photo has not been retouched. The real you is sexy."
I find this very inspiring! Most campaigns are focused on using insanely gorgeous and retouched women to model their products because people feel that they will look like this or give off a particular "self-image" if they buy/use it. Due to this big step Aerie has taken with Photoshop, just for the first quarter of the fiscal year in 2016, sales have sky-rocketed 32%, says Business Insider. So I'd say this campaign was a step in the right direction!
Now let's take a look at the not so comparable Victoria's Secret. Everyone, including myself sometimes, looks at these supermodels and thinks to themselves, "Wow, I want to buy that because she looks soooo good in it and maybe I'll look like that too!" I mean come on, we're all guilty of this at one point or another right? Recently, within the past year, these so-called "flawless" supermodels of Victoria's Secret have been not so flawless. What do you mean, do you ask? Well some of the editors of this lingerie retailer have had a few slip-ups, now more than ever. Since you've probably never noticed before, let me show you a BIG mess up on their part.
Can you spot what's making people flip out over this photo? Take a look at her bottom half, she appears to only have one butt cheek!! Well, one seriously defined one anyways... Being human, I thought to myself, "You know what? We all make mistakes!" As I continued do research into this, not only did I find other Photoshop mishaps, but I also found an article published not too long ago (July 20, 2016) in Business Insider about a woman who wanted to describe to the world how much Victoria's Secret really alters their pictures. Going by the name of Sarah, she reveals that it all starts with the padding these women have to wear! On top of some of the seriously padded bathing suits, these supermodels also have additional padding sewn in and then if that isn't enough, sometimes they even wear padded bras underneath them. Sarah also stated that sometimes when the image isn't exactly what they're looking for, the editors will swap out body parts to get that "perfect look."
Hearing that made me speechless... It makes me sick to believe that the company is trying to sell an image that not even the supermodels have, an image so perfect that it's worth swapping body parts. An image so perfect, it's fake.
Just to give you one last comparison at the different looks these two companies stand for, let's see them next to each other.
Even if the second picture didn't say #aerieREAL, I'm sure you'd be able to tell which one belongs to which retailer.
I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money, or tell you not to buy from a certain brand because it's not my place, but I will say one thing.
Next time you're out shopping, I recommend you take a look in Aerie. Not only might you find something you're in love with, but you'll also realize that this store is pretty true to size. I know I'd want my future daughter to understand the true essence of her beauty, and that as long as she's happy, society doesn't matter.
So go ahead and walk in... Try something on. I bet you'll find something inspiring in that dressing room. Whether what you find is looking back at you, or written on the mirror itself... you'll realize that the REAL you is sexy. #aerieREAL
