Why I Watched The VS Fashion Show
While many have fallen victim to self-hatred and body-loathing, I find the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show to be inspiring. I mean, who else wishes they could flaunt their prettiest lingerie to work everyday?
Why I Watch VS Fashion Show
I watched the VS Fashion Show, and I liked it. First off, I want to say Selena Gomez rocked it.
A 5’5” gal owning her stuff around the 6 ft. models is quite the task, but she set a perfect example of how to display confidence and pride in who you are, even when you’re surrounded by beautiful ‘angels.’ (But of course she is a rare beauty, herself, and plenty of girls would give anything to be her as well.)
My point, is that watching the Victoria’s Secret fashion show doesn’t have to be detrimental to personal body image and confidence. While some find it hard not to be intimidated by these glowing beauties walking around nearly naked without a care in the world (or so they appear), I’ve grown to watch the show for other reasons.
I’m not saying I don’t envy these girls. I mean, I wish I could wear that million-dollar bra and angel wings to work every day, there’s no denying that. But the thing I envy most is their self-confidence. Walking on stage in skimpy lingerie, heavy wings, and sky-high stilettos isn’t an easy task-I’ve yet to try it personally, but given that I can’t walk down my hallway without tripping in my 3” pumps, I could take a wild guess.
Now add millions of viewers, and the pressure of their future careers to add some added weight to those wings. So yeah, these girls are under a magnifying glass, with people waiting for them to trip, or for a bra strap to burst, yet they handle themselves so well. Their ability to walk down the runway with such pride is what I admire and look up to, and a big part of the reason I watch the show.
While these shows tend to bring up feelings of insecurity, regret, and even body dysmorphia in ladies, the concepts of self-confidence and happiness are two things we need to look internally for. These models are paid to workout, eat strict diets, and focus on their outer beauty. They work hard for the bodies they have, and they deserve them. But it doesn’t make their body or life any better than your own.
Ladies, we get to make our own choices about what we eat, how we work out, and what we want to do with your lives. That’s the beauty of it. And, of course, we’re all *blessed* with the genes from our mothers. We are cursed with the need to compare ourselves to others, and social media amplifies that tendency. But we’re all unique. We each have our own bodies, and once we learn to accept ourselves, and others, for our different choices and lifestyles we’ll all be happier.
The key is to take care of yourself and treat yourself with respect. Personally, I’m still working on this. I try my best to work out regularly and tone up the areas I wish I could improve. But I also enjoy an unhealthy amount of cheese (like seriously, the suggested serving size of cheese can’t be correct?) And I like to go out with my friends, and have a [monster] margarita or two. Then I balance it off with some veggies and Greek yogurt the next day. I’m slowly but surely working towards the body, and the body confidence that I want. While seeing these models strut what they’ve got down the runway is a bit intimidating, it doesn’t make me hate my body; it inspires me to be better.
I know I’ll never look like those models, and I don’t want to. They’re drop dead gorgeous, but I want to be my own kind of beautiful. I’m becoming happier with my imperfections, and I’m proud of my curves and my muscles. I don’t aim to be them; I aim to be a healthier and happier version of myself.
In saying this, I am not putting down others. I am not saying that one body type is better that the next. I simply want to better myself. I work out to be more confident in my appearance, but also to feel more energized and relaxed. Not everyone feels the same as me. Some people hate working out, or hate eating healthy. I can’t tell anyone how to live their lives. I can just support them in doing what makes them happy.
So ladies, and gentlemen, let’s work together to stop judging each other based on appearance. We are all beautiful in our own ways, and the beauty on the outside doesn’t even compare to the value of inner beauty.
To some, beauty is being dolled up in fabulous makeup and lacy undergarments. To others, it is lounging on the couch in sweats with a bowl of ice cream and a glass of wine. Or maybe both are on your bucket list....
To each their own vision of happiness and self-confidence.
Mollie McDonnell is a senior majoring in journalism at Illinois State University. As a member of the BuzzFeed Community, she finds herself taking too many BuzzFeed quizzes and envying the lives of the BuzzFeed writers. Comments, questions, or constructive criticism regarding this piece are welcome.
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