She is also dieting. As in this girl is not eating the lunch her mama or daddy packs her each day because she doesn’t want to gain weight “before swimsuit season.”
She is nine. NINE. And already feeling the pressure of looking a certain way.
Here’s the thing.
To me, this is personal. I grew up in a time where waif looking models were the most sought-after ideals of feminine beauty. They were everywhere (and I didn’t even have social media to contend with back then).
Back in the 90s, images were being doctored and “perfected,” but only by pricey experts in agencies.
Now, every kid in the school has a phone and can ruthlessly filter, edit, and slim their images in one click.
The result is a huge difference between their virtual reality / online appearance and the way they actually look in the mirror. The results of this can be hugely damaging.
Now they’re not only comparing themselves to models and peers, these kids are comparing their actual looks with their online appearance. That’s scariest of all. Maybe Anna feels good about her latest heavily edited post (validated by lots of likes and comments) but the girl in the mirror doesn’t compare to the image and isn’t “good enough.”
I’m not saying there is no place in the world for Photoshop, or even that it’s always bad—it can actually be really fun to play around with! But it’s important to do it considerately and openly, so that kids like Anna understand that it is fun fantasy and illusion, not real life.
Young girls can be vulnerable to this. The social and societal pressure on them and their bodies has never been higher, and it’s taking a serious toll.
Even as a young girl I was very aware of my body. I knew I didn’t look like the cover models, so I felt like I was wrong.
I was a pretty confident girl, but it got to me. I started to look at avenues for rapid weight loss and quickly found ideas that were not healthy. I think it’s really important to be open about this, so I will be talking about it in an upcoming video blog.
If it can affect me that much, as a confident girl, with strong female role models, growing up in an age without social media or one click photo editing, then what the heck are we putting into the heads of impressionable kids today?! (And as a side note, I know this affects boys as well as girls. But we’re focusing on the gals for the purpose of this article).
This is why ELC does not use Photoshop or airbrushing on any of our models, and we never will.
Our Everyday Women are gorgeously real. What you see is unapologetically what you get, both online and in person.
And this is what you’ll get on our website and socials: little marks of dirt on the women’s feet. Stretch marks and scars and tan lines and dimples. Tattoos and imperfect teeth and wisps of hair. Don’t believe me? Check it out.
And I bet you didn’t even see it because you were too busy noticing how confident and beautiful they look naturally.
This is why we won’t ever filter or Photoshop our gorgeous Everyday Women.
For Anna, for girls like her, and for myself as a confused kid.
I dream of the time when it is the norm to NOT airbrush, and ads or posts that are airbrushed must disclose that they’ve been edited.
Because your body tells a story, and it’s not a story that can be told in Photoshop.
We make size YOU. You’re perfect. Just the way you are.
Want more on this? Watch for when we release my video blog.
And remember if this brings up issues for you or you have concerns for a loved one, you can contact Beyond Blue (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites).
We must look out for each other. Lots of love, Danielle XXX
Trying to find the right underwear size can be difficult due to different companies making different sizes. To make things easier we have created a step by step guide to take the guess work out of the equation.
Below we have measuring instructions with images to assist you.
All you need to do is take a couple of simple measurements; your waist, your lower waist and your hips. The best way to do this is by using a soft measuring tape and a mirror to ensure you are accurate. If possible stand in front of a mirror when taking your measurements to ensure that the measuring tape is also parallel to the floor and is flat.
Your waist is the natural in indentation above your hips or just below your rib cage (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down.
Your lower waist is approx. 12cm down from your waist. Take your measuring tape and run this down from your waist to 12cm (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around this area firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down.
Now wrap the soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips, this is approximately 25cm below your waist (see image). Use the mirror to check that your measuring tape is completely straight and parallel to the floor – write this measurement down.
All you need to do is take a couple of simple measurements; your Full Bust and your Lower or under bust. The best way to do this is by using a soft measuring tape and a mirror to ensure you are accurate.
Your Full Bust is the fullest part of your bust (see image). Ensure that the measuring tape is completely straight and parallel to the floor. Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down
The Lower or Under bust is measured by wrapping the measuring tape around your rib cage directly under your bust (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down
ELC Size | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full Bust Measurements (cm) | 81-87 | 87-93 | 93-99 | 99-105 | 106-114 | 115-123 | 124-130 | 131-137 |
Lower or Under Bust Measurement (cm) | 61-67 | 67-73 | 73-79 | 80-86 | 87-39 | 94-100 | 100-106 | 107-113 |
Waist Measurement (cm) | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 | 110 | 115 |
Lower Waist Measurement (cm) | 90 | 95 | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 |
Hip Measurement (cm) | 95 | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 | 130 |
USA | 4 to 6 | 6 to 8 | 8 to 10 | 10 to 12 | 12 to 14 | 14 to 16 | 16 to 18 | 18 to 20 |
UK | 6 to 8 | 8 to 10 | 10 to 12 | 12 to 14 | 14 to 16 | 16 to 18 | 18 to 20 | 20 to 22 |
EUROPE | 34 to 36 | 36 to 38 | 38 to 40 | 40 to 42 | 42 to 44 | 44 to 46 | 46 to 48 | 48 to 50 |