Dear Brogan... Body Issues

Dear Brogan...

I needed to talk about this topic because my views on it are just overflowing and I need to get it all out. 

I saw a post on Facebook of an advert from Calvin Klein which showed a "plus size" model who wasn't really plus sized at all... she was around a size 8-10 UK size which is thin! This angered me because they think that they are reaching to a bigger audience by putting a "plus size" model in an ad when in reality, she was still thin. Although her body was more realistic than girls you normally see for Calvin Klein, calling her plus size and a massive stretch. The woman in the advert had a tiny tummy but 100% not plus sized.

So that was just the tipping point that inspired this whole series! I've had views on body images for a really long time and now is the time to finally tell them all. 

I am all for promoting body confidence, in fact, we need to promote body confidence because everyone is beautiful and you should not feel bad about your body because it's perfect. I have struggled with body image in the past with years of bullying about it at high school because I'm not 'skinny'. But who cares if I'm not? Loads of people aren't! It has taken me a very long time not to care what people think. I will wear what I want to wear and I will wear whatever makeup I want to wear, whenever I want.

We definitely need to continue to promote plus size women (and men) and not make them feel bad about their bodies. One thing that needs to change is a 'plus size' or 'curvy' section in shops and to integrate them in with all the other stuff because, for me, I sometimes feel embarrassed shopping in the bigger section because of my body and I feel that having a separate section is a form of body shaming. They should make all the clothes accessible for whatever size you are and not have different styles, and prices, for larger ladies. I also find some of the clothes that I see for plus size ladies not as trendy or stylish sometimes and that needs to change because sometimes I want something specific but can't find a decent one in my size or price range. 

But, in equal measure, we need to promote thin and skinny bodies. None of this 'you're too skinny' or 'but you're so skinny'. Some people are naturally skinny and skinny people can hate their bodies too which is still as valid as someone who's bigger and hates their body. Thin people need to love their bodies too because again, you are all beautiful. 

I think body images is a very fine line. It seems that people can never 'please' other people. It's like if you're bigger, you get 'Oh you need to be skinner' and feel the need to lose weight in order to 'fit in' (which is total crap). And if you're skinner, you get 'You need to put some meat on your bones and gain weight' (which again, is total crap). I'm not advocating eating disorders at all because that's really not healthy in any circumstances but some people are naturally very skinny and we should praise that rather than shoot it down. Same for bigger people, some people naturally have bigger features and we need to accept this mentality that people are built the way that they are.

So basically, we need to stop body shaming people! People can be whatever size they want to be and clothes sizes mean nothing, they're just a number! A number does not define who you are and it needs to have no control over your life.The media do not define us and they do not have the right to hold these almost impossible body standards over us because there is no 'normal' or 'perfect' body, perfect is you're own body and everyone is different. Don't be afraid to be who you are and be fabulous while you're doing it because you are amazing and don't forget it!

I think I may have said most of what I want to say. I could go on much further but I'll rein it in! 

Look forward to Brogan's response to this issue on her YOUTUBE CHANNEL which she will be posting on 21st May! Go check it out!

We hope you enjoy our little series and I'll see you next time. Happy reading! xx