What If We Just Stop Reducing Female Bodies to Trends?

In today's world where trends come and go, everyone is always on the hunt for the next hot thing — be it the latest fashion aesthetic, that beauty product in the world's mouth, lifestyle experiences ranging from travel destinations to must-visit restaurants, and even the look of the moment. Hourglass, heroin chic, BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift), legging legs, buccal fat removal — there’s always something that enters the cultural lexicon and then becomes the next big fad, dictating how women should or shouldn't look at a certain moment. And the overwhelming influence of media and celebrity culture has left little room for many to escape such expectations. 

Fashion changes, but the female body should not be included

Whether the normalization of Ozempic as a weight-loss medication or the shrinking diversity of runways noticed in the past years, these shifting beauty ideals seem to haunt us. Defining what it means to be desired, they reinforce the entire narrative that a woman’s worth is tied to whether or not her body meets an ephemeral standard. From cherry red garments to almond-shaped nails, there are enough trends to follow, so why include women's bodies? With female bodies entering this race for relevance several steps are taken backward. From the harms of low self-esteem, eating disorders, mental health problems, and non-inclusion, the discourse of temporary ideals also indicates a regression in terms of women's rights, as it clearly objectifies our bodies and increases female competition — but not only that. 

The beauty business and the obsession with women's bodies

Profit-driven industries such as beauty, fashion, and entertainment promote standards with absurd intensity. And it is impossible to keep up. Just when you think you have met the ideal, the cycle begins all over again — and you lack the resources to re-morph. This narrative creates an environment of pure elitism. While wealthy people can afford procedures, exercise, and nutritional support, most of the public can't even afford to follow the latest clothing and make-up trends — let alone all the rigorous requirements to achieve the newest trending appearance. The harms are many. But the real point is that, ultimately, bodies are more than figures — they exist to live and thrive. They shouldn't be in fighting mode with each other. They should be surrounded by a culture of self-compassion, where women have freedom to exist without the pressure to conform to an ephemeral ideal, feeling beautiful no matter their shape, size or age. But how can that be done? 

Toward cultural change

On the one hand, the fashion, beauty and entertainment industries should commit to more diverse representations of beauty in ads and runway shows, while simultaneously moving away from viewing bodies as mere fleeting trends. As consumers, we must collectively reprogram our minds to not only endorse labels and public figures who are dedicated to inclusivity and body positivity, but also to disengage with the body-as-trend narrative. Saw a video on TikTok or any other platform promoting this discourse? Break the pattern and move away — better for you and your health! Ultimately, we can’t force people and businesses to change. Instead, we can choose to no longer engage with certain contents or personalities, thus protecting our own physical and mental health.