Body positivity is a movement that promises to liberate us from the oppressive shackles of beauty standards. It asserts that all people deserve a positive body image, regardless of how society and popular culture view ideal shape, size, and appearance. Has this feel-good movement really been doing what it claims, or has it morphed into just another trendy hashtag?

Body positivity was born out of a need to challenge the narrow beauty ideals perpetuated by media and fashion. The movement champions the idea that everyone, regardless of body size, shape, or color, deserves to be celebrated. In a world that often bombards us with images of unattainable beauty standards, body positivity serves as a refreshing counter-narrative. The Mental Health Foundation reports that one in eight (13%) adults experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of concerns about their body image.

This movement has given a voice to those who have long felt marginalized by mainstream beauty standards, providing a platform for body diversity and self-acceptance. It has sparked important conversations around issues like body shaming, diet culture, and the harmful impact of unrealistic beauty standards.

When Inclusivity Gets Commercialized

However, as with many great ideas, the execution is often more complicated. While the body positivity movement was supposed to be about challenging harmful beauty standards, it has, at times, become a prime target for commercialization. Megan Jayne Crabbe, in her book Body Positive Power, critiques the harmful cycle perpetuated by the beauty and diet industry. She writes, “It’s genius, really: saturate the media with ideal bodies, convince women that they can only be happy if they look like those bodies, sell women products promising to give them those bodies, and when those products don’t work, tell the women that it’s their fault for not having enough willpower, and sell them more.“

Victoria’s Secret, once the epitome of beauty standards, has recently tried to rebrand itself by jumping on the body positivity bandwagon. The lingerie giant, long criticized for its lack of diversity, suddenly introduced a lineup of more inclusive models, touting messages of empowerment. But many see this as too little, too late—a shallow attempt to stay relevant in a world that’s moved beyond their outdated ideals.

On the flip side, we have Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie line, which has been praised for its authentic embrace of body positivity from the start. Fenty shows feature models of all shapes, sizes, and skin tones, including those who are often marginalized in mainstream fashion. For the brand, it’s not just about representation; it’s about genuine inclusivity. Fenty built its brand on the foundation of true diversity and acceptance.

The Pressure to Love Yourself

While body positivity aims to dismantle traditional beauty standards, it sometimes ends up creating new ones. There’s an emerging pressure to be not just body positive but to publicly display your self-love, especially on social media. If you’re not participating in body-positive trends or sharing your “flaws” with pride, you might feel like you’re failing at self-acceptance. 

This suggests that even body positivity can perpetuate the idea that appearance defines our value. This new form of pressure can turn what’s meant to be a liberating movement into yet another set of expectations to live up to. In the study, Standards of Physical Beauty and Mental Health in Children and Young People in the Era of the Information Revolution, the authors conclude that “social factors play an important role in the formation of unhealthy standards of physical attractiveness among children and young people,” particularly noting the impact of parental criticism and urban living on body dissatisfaction and physical perfectionism.”

More Than Size

Another key issue is that body positivity often centers on size, while other crucial aspects such as race, disability, and socioeconomic status are sometimes overlooked. While promoting size diversity is important, true body positivity must embrace all identities. For example, a thin, able-bodied person and a plus-sized person with a disability face vastly different societal challenges. Until the movement addresses these intersections, it risks excluding those who might need it the most.

Some brands, however, are making strides in addressing these gaps. ShopBawsty, co-owned by popular artist Renike Olusanya, is a Nigerian brand that genuinely embodies body positivity by creating clothes tailored for women with bigger busts. Unlike most retailers who often overlook the needs of taller and bustier women, ShopBawsty ensures that these women have access to stylish, well-fitting options. This is a step towards making the movement more inclusive by acknowledging and addressing the specific needs of different body types.

Self-Love vs Societal Change

Self-love is essential, but it’s not a substitute for addressing the societal issues that fuel body shaming and discrimination. True progress involves not just loving ourselves but also challenging the systems that perpetuate these problems.The focus on body positivity can sometimes shift attention away from the importance of health. While celebrating all body types is crucial, it’s equally important to prioritize overall well-being and fitness. 

Body positivity promotes the idea that self-love is empowering, but what if self-love doesn’t come easily? Does that mean someone is failing at body positivity, or does it reveal a flaw in itself? True empowerment involves acknowledging that self-love is a journey, not a destination.

Body positivity has undoubtedly sparked important conversations about inclusivity and self-acceptance. It has helped many people find confidence and pride in their appearance, challenging the toxic norms that have dominated for so long. It is definitely a step in the right direction, but it’s not a cure-all.