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Helllllllllo internet.
So, I just want to start this off by saying I really am trying to wrap my head around how I’m feeling about this recent thing that brands have been doing. Basically, I’m feeling weird about some brands using campaigns of inclusivity, body positivity, and real girl branding. NOW, brands like Aerie, Torrid, Old Navy, etc. have been using ~people~ of all sizes, shapes, colors, and expressions for years.
For that reason, I’ve been one to support these brands and will continue to rave about them here on the blog and social media. As a curvy, black blogger, it can be really frustrating to see brands completely botch what COULD be super positive messaging because they don’t actually believe what they’re preaching.
If you missed the commotion, I’m talking about the Revolve hiccup. I’m sure you’ve all seen your favorite bloggers, Bachelorette alum, and Youtubers rave about the brand. That’s great. They’re clothes are super dang cute. In my opinion, they just messed up real bad.
Top | Jeans | Shoes (similar) | Sunglasses(similar) | Belt (similar)
So, what happened?
Cyberbullying is bad. They got that right. But, the execution —putting hateful comments on sweatshirts in big bold lettering— is probably not the best way to combat it. AND, when one of the hate comments “being fat isn’t beautiful, it’s an excuse” can’t even be ordered beyond size 12 effectively excluding the group targeted by this type of verbiage is just a straight up strike out. This rubbed me the whole wrong way, y’all.
We’ve been blessed here to not deal with much negative commentary on the blog, our Youtube videos, or social media accounts. But, trust me, I’m no stranger to feeling sh*tty because of my appearance.
I have a super weird relationship with food and body image. It’s something I don’t talk about a lot and isn’t really the focus of this blog post, but I bring it up because I think some people have this notion that I am a confident gal 100% of the time.
Social media can really mess us up if we aren’t careful.
A lot of this is because of social media, and I’m not gonna lie: I only show the good or embarrassingly, funny stuff because TO BE HONEST I don’t want to keep reminding myself of the bad things that happen or revel in things I wish were different.
It’s not fun to curate and it’s not especially great to read either. It might be relatable or whatever, but I don’t think that’s reason enough to inundate the internet with the ugly and heartbreaking parts of life all the time.
I’ll talk about these things in a way that’s constructive or in a way that will spark some kind of discussion. I mean sometimes we need to chat about “real” things instead of plastering cutesy platitudes all over the internet.
Essentially, I don’t think we can blame the internet or social media for all of the problematic views we have as a society. That really comes from looking into our own biases and notions of what beauty and success really are.
Why don’t we mean what we say?
Anyway, I really would like for brands to truly and actually stand behind the campaigns they produce. If you want to demolish the idea that anything other than a size 2 is beautiful, expand your size range [petite, tall, plus, etc.]. If you’re breaking down the narrative that only able bodied people can be successful or relevant then freaking celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the disabled community.
I stand by brands who are constantly breaking down their own biases and tendencies to show one narrative as “good” or “profitable” or “normal”. I wish more brands would hire and survey minority populations to bring new voices into the mix appropriately.
Lastly, I stand by brands who change the attitudes and messages because they mean it. And, not because they want to make a profit margin off the current popular view of inclusion and diversity.
Just a thought from a black, curvy blogger. Rant over. Sound off in the comments, I’d love to hear what you think. Oh, and you can shop this outfit on the SHOP tab or using the links above.
photos x francesca gariano
keep on keepin’ on.
