Cassey Ho, the fitness blogger behind Blogilates, posted a powerful new Instagram post pointing out the danger in treating our bodies like fashion statements.
Real me today, 2018. . You know, this project was so interesting to me because as I was looking at myself getting photoshopped, I thought that I might secretly like one of the results. But the super odd thing was…all of them didn’t sit right with me. Not one! As obvious as it is to say this, I didn’t look like myself in the photos. I actually much prefer my body just as it is. Sure I’ve got a small butt, small boobs, a soft belly, and hip dips, but I’ve also got powerful legs, strong shoulders, and a figure that is all mine – unlike anyone else’s. . My question to all of us women is this: Why do we treat our bodies like we treat fashion? Who’s telling us what’s in and what’s out? . The more I think about this, the more I see the parallels between the fashion industry and the media industry. . The Media = The “designers” telling us who’s body is “in” based on the type of women we see chosen for ads, TV, and movies. Social media is no exception. The explore page on IG is currently full of Kim K bootied influencers. . Influencers and celebrities = The “runway models” that women look up to, want to look like, and even become. However, being the “it girl” doesn’t last long, so before we know it, there’s a new “cool girl” that’s been casted for the show, and now women unknowingly want to look like her because they see her everywhere. . Problem? You can’t just throw out a body part just because it’s “last season”!!! I mean, I guess you could, but you’re gonna lose a lot of $, time, and...blood. And seriously, are you going to let someone else tell you that the way your mother brought you into this world isn’t good enough? . BOTTOM LINE: Please treat your body with love & respect and do not succumb to the beauty standard. Embrace your body because it is YOUR own perfect body. . If you know a girl who needs to hear this message today, please tag her. . Also, I want to thank the amazing artist @danielkordek for helping me photoshop my body! (Haha, thought I’d never say that!) I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now, and would not have been able to do it at this level without his help. #blogilates #theperfectbody
In a series of digitally altered photos, she shows what she would look like with the "perfect body" throughout history — from 1400 to today.
If I had the “perfect” body throughout history, this is what I’d look like. . Mid 2010s-2018 - Big butts, wide hips, tiny waists, and full lips are in! There is a huge surge in plastic surgery for butt implants thanks to Instagram models posting “belfies”. Even cosmetic surgery doctors have become IG-famous for reshaping women. Between 2012-2014, butt implants and injections rise by 58%. . Mid 90s-2000s - Big boobs, flat stomachs, and thighs gaps are in. In 2010, breast augmentation is the highest performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. It’s the age of the Victoria’s Secret Angel. She’s tall, thin, and she’s always got long legs and a full chest. . Early 90s - THIN IS IN. Having angular bone structure, looking emaciated, and super skinny is what’s dominating the runways and the magazine covers. There’s even a name for it: “heroin chic”. . 1950s - The hourglass shape is in. ⏳ Elizabeth Taylor‘s 36-21-36 measurements are the ideal. Marilyn Monroe’s soft voluptuousness is lusted after. Women are advertised weight gaining pills to fill themselves out. Playboy magazine and Barbie are created in this decade. . 1920s - Appearing boyish, androgynous and youthful, with minimal breasts, and a straight figure is in! Unlike the “Gibson Girl” of the Victorian Era, women are choosing to hide their curves, and are doing so by binding their chests with strips of cloth to create that straight figure suitable for flapper dresses. . 1400-1700 The Italian Renaissance - Looking full with a rounded stomach, large hips, and an ample bosom is in. Being well fed is a sign of wealth and status. Only the poor are thin. . Why do we treat our bodies like we treat fashion? “Boobs are out! Butts are in!” Well, the reality is, manufacturing our bodies is a lot more dangerous than manufacturing clothes. Stop throwing your body out like it’s fast fashion. . Please treat your body with love & respect and do not succumb to the beauty standard. Embrace your body because it is YOUR own perfect body. ♥ #blogilates #theperfectbody
The series of photos begins with 2018: the year of the small waist and big butt. "There is a huge surge in plastic surgery for butt implants, thanks to Instagram models posting 'belfies,'" she writes. She adds that even plastic surgeons "have become IG-famous" for reshaping women's bodies, and that butt implants and injections rose 58 percent between 2012 and 2014. Ugh.
Practically all of the Kardashians have fallen victim to the supposed "perfect" body in the 2010s, as well as most Instagram models. Whether through surgery or constant digital alterations, this body type is taking over pop culture as we know it today.
♀ @kimkardashian @kyliejenner @jordynwoods @travisscott #kimkardashian #kanyewest #kyliejenner #kendalljenner #kourtneykardashian #kholekardashian #kardashians #kardashian #jenner #fake #photoshopfail #photoshop #badliar #liar #sosad #sobad #falsa #mentirosa #insecurities #instagram #couplegoals
In the mid 1990s to 2000s, big boobs, flat stomachs, and thighs gaps were "in." As she puts it, "it's the age of the Victoria's Secret Angel." Breast augmentations were the most performed cosmetic surgery in the U.S. in 2010.
The "perfect body" of the early '90s was emaciated, extreme skinny. "Having angular bone structure, looking emaciated, and super skinny is what’s dominating the runways and the magazine covers. There’s even a name for it: 'heroin chic,'" she writes in the caption.
Next up she takes on the 1950s, which was known as the era of the hourglass figure. "Elizabeth Taylor's 36-21-36 measurements are the ideal. Marilyn Monroe’s soft voluptuousness is lusted after," she says. "Women are advertiseing weight gaining pills to fill themselves out. Playboy magazine and Barbie are created in this decade."
In the 1920s, boyish, androgynous, and youthful bodies are "in." Women chose to "hide their curves" by "binding their chests with strips of cloth" to maintain a "straight figure suitable for flapper dresses," she writes.
And finally, she addresses the Italian Renaissance — between 1400 and 1700 — where full-figured bodies were seen as ideal. "Looking full with a rounded stomach, large hips, and an ample bosom is in. Being well-fed is a sign of wealth and status. Only the poor are thin," she writes.
So what's the point of all this Photoshop madness? Ho wanted to illustrate the danger of treating our bodies like we treat our clothes: "in" one day, "out" the next.
Lesson here? Every woman should embrace her body and be happy in her skin since standards keep changing. Be healthy, LIVE, and love.
"Why do we treat our bodies like we treat fashion? ‘Boobs are out! Butts are in!’ Well, the reality is, manufacturing our bodies is a lot more dangerous than manufacturing clothes," Ho writes on IG. "Stop throwing your body out like it’s fast fashion."
It's worth mentioning I appreciate the effort and thought you put in to this. All that matters is that you feel comfortable in your body, no matter what the current bleeping beauty standard is.
Her followers are feeling inspired and grateful to Ho for making such a powerful statement about body image. It's something we all could stand to hear.
Every body is unique, and society's idea of what's "in" will forever change. Instead of keeping up with the trends, we could do something much more empowering: accept ourselves. "Please treat your body with love & respect and do not succumb to the beauty standard. Embrace your body because it is YOUR own perfect body," she concludes. Can I get an amen?
In the era of body positivity, let's stop succumbing to societal pressures to appear "perfect." Embrace your body as it is, y'all. You are beautifully made.
