The New York Post recently came under fire over an article titled Bye-bye booty: Heroine chic is back. For those who did not witness the 90s, the term “heroine chic” can sound incredibly jarring; because it is. Heroine chic refers to a specific look that was really only achieved by supermodels in the late 90s, think Kate Moss and Jaime King. With low-rise jeans and skimpy garments back on the rise, does that mean the uber-skinny body ideals will return as well?
THe Aesthetic of it all
A few decades ago, it was on trend to have an eating disorder. It was the only way that the average woman could possibly compete with the emaciated look of those on the runway and the cover of fashion magazines. It was described as “pale skin, dark circles underneath the eyes, emaciated features, androgyny and stringy hair—all traits associated with abuse of heroin or other drugs.”
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia became much more common among teenage girls. “In 1993, an eating disorders counselor told People that her patients believed Moss had the ideal figure. She said she had never before seen such a strong attachment to a particular celebrity body before.” And when celebrities would come out about their own struggles with eating disorders, they were given little sympathy by the media. Princess Diana silently suffered under the eyes of the royal family and the rest of the world, her mental health issues constantly swept under the rug by those around her. Musical artist Fiona Apple was referred to as “Kate Moss with songs,” even though she had publicly discussed her tendency to starve herself as a trauma reaction to being raped.
There is a common theme that comes with the heroine chic wave: every model is white, female, and usually affluent. There is very little data in regards to people of color suffering from eating disorders. However, black teenagers are 50% more likely than white their white counterparts to show bulimic behavior, like binge-eating and purging. Gay and bisexual boys are significantly more likely to fast, vomit, or take laxatives or diet pills to control their weight. ANAD also states that gay and bisexual young men are significantly more likely to fast, vomit, or take laxatives or diet pills to control their weight.
A Swift Return
Even though the body positivity movement has left a huge mark on societal norms of the modern world, “skinny culture” continues to find a way into the press. The creation of social media allows the common user to view models on the runway and what types of clothing are currently on trend.
The 90s continue to come back in a wave of retro fashion that is now all over your Pinterest feed. Low rise jeans and tiny tops are the typical uniform for lean models such as Kendal Jenner or the Hadid sisters. Even on the runway, high end brands are partaking in the influx of gaunt garments like Versace and their 2022 Milan Fashion Week show.
Your Body Is Not A TRend
It is important to remember that every human is going to withhold their own unique shape. It does not matter if being skinny is “the new thing” because this has been a continuous cycle since the beginning of society. Someone’s body type will always be “on trend” while others are alienated for how they were created.
The best thing you can do is continue to support artists of all body types. It is crucial that each individual can find someone in the media that they can relate to. Work against diet culture and explain to younger generations why diversity in body types is so important, because it is not going anywhere.