Bikinis are difficult in all aspects: wearing them, shopping for them, having to try them on. If you’re like me, and want to avoid standing in a dressing room with 15 bikinis after eating mall Cinnabon all day, then online shopping is the perfect way to go––except that online shopping has its own issues as well. None of the models in online shops have bodies that look like yours or mine, and when it comes to buying bikinis, you you want to have a general idea of what it’s going to look like on in real life. This is pretty difficult to do when the models have been photoshopped to beyond perfection.
Now, Missguided is the latest in a line of clothing companies who have stopped photoshopping their models. The recent change, most evident with their bikini models, included opting to leave things that were previously considered “imperfections” in the photos. The models now can be seen sporting moles and stretch marks, which are all natural parts of all human bodies that had previously been considered “taboo” to show.
Personally, I would rather buy a bikini online after seeing what it looks like on a real person, rather than someone that is digitally enhanced. If models had continued to be digitally enhanced to the point that it is physically impossible to look like them, it wouldn’t be doing the company any favors. Real women will ultimately be the ones wearing the clothing, so they need to know what it will look like on another real person before purchasing.
According to Cosmpolitan, they have spoken openly about the changes, with the head of brand, Samantha Helligso saying, “As a brand, we feel we have a strong sense of social responsibility to support young women and inspire confidence. So we’re on a mission to do just that by showing our audience it’s okay to be yourself, embrace your ‘flaws,’ celebrate individuality, and not strive for what the world perceives as perfection. Because basically, it doesn’t exist.”
She continues, “By showing imagery that’s real and authentic, we want to show it’s more than okay to be yourself. All you have is what you’ve got, so own it every day.”
Honestly, lets just take second to appreciate the sincerity of her message. Her words show the quick and dramatic shift of an industry that previously strived to display the unattainable to one that wants to represent and show off real women––with or without anything that society has been conditioned to see as a “flaw.”
Its undeniable that their customers are happy with the much-needed change, and many took to social media to express how happy they were to see the lack of image altering.
Are those stretch marks I see? YES @Missguided you’re doing it right #allnatural so beautiful pic.twitter.com/TtwiHZvHr8
— Nadine Goranova (@nadine_goranova) November 8, 2017
How refreshing to actually see genuine un-edited photos of female models. Well done @Missguided I’m SO proud of the message this conveys x pic.twitter.com/EBedySfz6I
— marnie (@marniepolk) November 4, 2017
Buying a bikini should be a pleasant and enjoyable experience. The only thing that you should have to be worried about is your next credit card statement––not why you don’t look like any of the models in ads.