Body Positivity In Media & Trends
Written by Gabriella Beard
While social media is a powerful platform for sharing fashion movements and inspiration, it also reinforces unrealistic beauty standards. It often promotes specific styles that don’t suit every body type, such as low-rise jeans or long shorts, ultimately glorifying a narrow ideal of beauty. Influencers embodying these aesthetics create a high demand for certain cuts and styles, further promoting trends like the 'slim-thick' ideal: a curvy figure with a small waist. However, this isn’t a realistic depiction and can make those who don’t fit this mold feel negatively about their own bodies.
Social media should be a space that celebrates diverse body types rather than promoting a single beauty standard. Unfortunately, young girls today struggle with body image issues and eating disorders, exacerbated by platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which promote a narrow beauty ideal. As society has gained attention to this issue and with a rise in concern for Generation Z, there have been attempts to counteract this conflict with government initiatives such as media literacy.
Media literacy has been put in middle and high schools to teach kids how to recognize the false depiction of reality on social media. The goal of this is to get kids to realize that what they are constantly seeing is not an accurate representation of what their lives should look like. With increased media literacy, schools are hoping that kids will compare themselves less on social media and be more aware of the negative effects social media can have on mental health.
Although body positivity movements, government initiatives, and media literacy programs in schools aim to address these issues, the influence of social media continues to push unrealistic standards. Social Media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have turned beauty into a social status competition, where self-worth seems measured by likes, comments, and followers. This environment often encourages girls to seek validation and reassurance through outside perceptions, pressuring them to fit a certain mold, follow fashion trends, and adopt trending aesthetics instead of embracing their own authentic style.
It’s important to recognize that much of what we see online doesn’t reflect reality due to editing tools and filters. With easy access to these technologies, many girls find themselves comparing their appearance to edited images or even altering their own photos to meet a false ideal. This fosters uniformity and discourages authenticity. Self-expression, especially in fashion, should be encouraged among young people, rather than the pressure to 'fit in.'
While some people feel drawn to trends, others use social media to discover brands that promote self-expression and body positivity. Some fashion influencers, such as Candice Huffine, Em Ford, and Ashley Graham, are using their platforms to celebrate diverse body types and challenge conventional beauty standards. Brands such as Aerie, Savage X Fenty, and Rare Beauty align with this inclusive mindset, promoting body positivity through their campaigns.
Aerie stopped digitally retouching models and launched their #AerieReal spokesmodel program in 2014, featuring female models of various body types. This was a transitional move to include different body types; to be known for being a more welcoming and open brand that celebrates diversity rather than perfection. Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty line is a lingerie brand that represents the need for more diverse lingerie sizing through having a wide range of sizing from A to H cup bras, as well as XS-3XL. Her drop also featured Audrey Ritchie, who spoke about being a plus size model and claimed “whichever gender you choose to have sex with, you should be proud and find yourself sexually,” encouraging body positivity. Selena Gomez’s famous makeup brand “Rare Beauty” promotes diversity and natural beauty through its message to celebrate who you are and the beauty of being “rare” and different, supporting all body types, skin tones, and all aspects that make each individual unique.
Ultimately, we must begin acknowledging the false beauty standards perpetuated by social media and the harmful effects they have on the younger generation that looks up to influencers in the media. Social media gives us the power to shape our experiences by choosing the accounts we follow—so choose those that uplift and inspire you, rather than those that bring you down!
Edited by Hana Razvi, Katherine Rubinstein, Greta Felton & Ellie DePerry
