My Body Is Not A Fashion Trend

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Hello there lovelies,

I have a bone to pick today, and it's a big one. I'm sick of hearing in fashion magazines, and throughout the media that a particular body shape is 'in'. In particular, this is aimed at the articles proclaiming that natural breasts are back in fashion, after the casting call for Pirates of the Caribbean 4, where it was explicitly stated that only actresses with natural breasts need apply. It's not that I have a problem with these parameters being specified in a casting call. I have a problem with the following announcements that "natural breasts are back." I find it disturbing that body types, or even body parts can go in and out of fashion like handbags. I didn't choose these natural breasts, I was born with them, and getting breast implants is a huge, life-changing decision. My body is not a fashion trend, and I will not have what I do with it dictated to me by a fashion magazine. We may be getting closer to a society where we can pick how we want to look from a catalogue (provided we don't mind a bit of pain and scarring). But doesn't mean that we should have bodies sold to us by the media.

It galls me whenever I see articles stating that "curves are back", or that "this season a tall, slim look is in style". What does this say to people who don't naturally have those qualities? "Curves are back" implies that skinny is out - so all you skinny girls better move aside, because you're not in fashion anymore. All this does is perpetuate body image issues for the benefit of marketing. Breast implants are in? You better run out and have yourself some surgery honey. They're back out? Well, there are always expensive removal procedures. Curves are in? If you don't have your own, we can sell you things to create them. Tall and slim "the look" for this season? Better shell out for those Spanx sweetie! It's bullshit, and I won't stand for it.

We are all real women, with real bodies. We are tall, short, fat, skinny, lanky, stocky, curvy, flat. We have small boobs, and big hips, and thin lips, and button noses. We have skinny calves, and long torsos, and short legs, and no waists. We have breast implants, and nose jobs, and big butts, and tiny feet. Our bodies are all different, but they are all ours, and they are all beautiful. Screw the marketing. Your body, and mine don't need to follow trends. You don't need to buy what the fashion magazines are selling -your body is fine exactly the way that it is. Anything that you want to do with your body is your choice and yours alone. My body is not a fashion trend, and neither is yours.

Until next time, xo.