The Female Paradox

1. The Colossus of Rhodes

2. The Great Pyramid of Giza

3. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

4. The Lighthouse of Alexandria

5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

6. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

7. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Today, in the world of women, there has been an eighth addition:

8. Victoria’s Secret Fashion Model

There is a reason that  a 5’11, 110-pound woman, who somehow manages to maintain a perfect, natural C cup and toned abs would be considered a physical phenomenon. To say these women defy the law of physics would be an understatement. To these models, cellulite is a foreign word that has yet to become a part of their vocabulary. Somehow these women still manage to have multiple children, which leave their “post-baby” body even more flawless than before.

While real women get stretch marks, these women get six-packs.

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Oh, the irony of a woman’s world; a world where female empowerment is marketed in the form of an exotic and insurmountable female physique. These models instill a fear in us that is heightened with every new ad campaign and televised fashion show.

Victoria’s Secret angel? More like devil.

I like to call this advertising bias, “The Female Paradox”. Victoria’s Secret is a brand that attempts to market sexy. They want to show that, by buying their lingerie, a woman will feel beautiful and confident. However, they have chosen models that have the most unattainable body types. If a woman is supposed to feel attractive wearing Victoria’s Secret undergarments, she should not feel self-conscious from their advertising before she goes in to choose the latest bra and panty set.

Another thing that this false advertising does is suggest an ideal woman to the male population. Men will see these “angels” and lust after their perfect forms. Unfortunately, this leaves us “normal” girls competing with a fantasy too far out of our physical capabilities and leaves men with unrealistic expectations.

So what drives these companies to choose such beautiful women for their campaigns? Sales. As much as we hate to admit it, seeing a beautiful model sporting hot lingerie makes us girls want to mimic their confident, sexy demeanor. Which makes me ask another question: Are we buying the product or the image?

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This is something to consider each time you enter Victoria’s Secret. As you are plagued by images of these impeccable models, try to focus on the reason you are there. Make sure not to pick out the latest bra Giselle is sporting, but things that will make you feel better about yourself. This decision will leave you happier in the long run.

Next time you walk into Victoria’s Secret or turn on their fashion show, remember this: you are just as worthy to be wearing their undergarments, if not more. Silently chanting this mantra will instill self-confidence in you. And that, ladies, is much sexier to wear than any form of over-priced lingerie.