Wednesday, 02 September 2009

  • I'm Pro-Fashion Sense, Not Pro-Anorexia

     Hello ladies,

    Up until now I have only posted objective articles on fashion advice, but recent events have bid me to create more of a serious article this week. Recently, one of my posts made it onto the Lovelyish main page, and while I recieved a lot of the usual "I like or dislike this fashion statement," comments, I also got an overwealming number of negatave responses to the types of photos I've selected. I'd like to clear a few things up as well as ask you all a philosophical question.

    A lot of women who read my post on the "Hippie Head Wrap" were some of the first to notice that most of the photos I use on my site are of very slender girls. A few of the comments I got include:

    "are these headwraps exclusive to disgustingly skinny chicks?"

    "this look appears to be mostly-exclusive to 14 year old girls in their underwear taking myspace pics.."

    "so apparently you have to be anorexic to pull this look off."

    "This is thinspo with a facade.    WTF."

    "WTF, this is thinspo disguised as a fashion post."

    "yeah... why do all of them look like they're hungry in their underwear? :/ "

    longsweater

    Finally, one girl replied suggesting that perhapse these were the only photos available to the journalist, which is exactly the case. I've mentioned it to many of my early subscribers when I began this site, but now that my page has become more popular, I believe I owe everyone an explaination.

    When I began my fashion page, I was a recovered bulimic who still found herself browsing 'thinsporation' sites on account of the unavoidable fact that many supporters of "real girl thinspo" happen to also have really good fashion sense. I was no longer even remotely obsessed with being thin, but was in withdrawal for re-creatable fashion inspiration for and by real girls. By "real" I mean not celebrities, models, or magazines that offer $100 alternatives to $1000 celeb trends. It occured to me that there are a lot of girls out there who would like to see fashion ideas they can create with things they already had in their closet or could be found for under $20. Since that point, I've been collecting only the photos from 'thinspo' sites which emphasize style rather than simply half-naked girls with petruding bones. I named my site "Real Girl Fashion" as a spin on the anorexic term "real girl thinspo," for girls who wanted the clothing ideas with the bikini pictures pre-weeded out.

    cardigin

    The down side of this is the fact that it is close to impossible to find 'real girl' fashion photography on the internet, outside of the context of pro-anorexia. I guess it took a post including scantily clad girls in headbands to really bring this to the surface, but a lot of my readers are beginning to notice that my site totally excludes average to above-average sized girls. My site is meant to be exactly the opposite of a pro-eating disorder site. It's meant to make average women feel good about themselves, but the irony is that its achieved through using photos that come directly from very unhealthy websites.

    socks3

    Recently, I've been suggesting that subscribers of my website send me fashion photos of themselves or people they know so that I can incorporate more of a healthy ideal into my page. I haven't gotten many submissions, but I've decided to embark on a project of my own to help remidy this situation. I've been photographing myself in outfits from my own wardrobe to eventually collect and contribute to my site. For the record, I have far from an 'anorexic' body. I'm five-foot-seven and 140lbs, and my only petruding bone is a poorly-healed collarbone injury, in case anyone is wondering.

    sweaterstriped

    The question that I ask all of you is this: How many of you are a part of a "thinsporation," or "pro-eating disorder" network on xanga or other websites? How many of you were even particularly aware of how prominant these types of sites are on the internet these days? What would you suggest to someone like myself who does not want to promote unhealthy body image, but is trapped in a world of fashion that revolves around anorexia?

    *And by all means, if you know of a sourse where I can find healthier photos of real girls with fashion sense, or if you or someone you know would like to submit photos to my site, please share the wealth!

Comments (40)

  • SamiiSaysHaii@xanga

    I can admit that I have befriended and subscribed to several 'thinspirational' sites on Xanga ! Even though I go around saying that I stay healthy and whatnot, I'm not always exactly telling the 100% truth. There are days where I say, "I am NOT eating today !" and I almost don't. I'll snack on a few things, but I keep it as low in calories as possible. I have this sick twisted idea that skinny is beautiful and what everybody wants. But lately, I've been realizing that lanky, bony legs are very unattractive [my upper body is fine, it's just my legs that I'm unsatisfied with, so I focus more on girls' legs]. I'm starting to love my body as it is. I'm only 15, I'm definitely still growing, so I need to just focus on life and school right now instead of how chubby my legs are !



    Good job with your post ! :] it's great that you're so honest and straight-forward with it. It does make a lot more sense, because I thought that myself sometimes ahaha again, good job ! :]
  • JoeytheGenie@xanga

    I didn't even know what thinspo was until some of the girls started to befriend me
    As for myself, there is no way I am part of it - I eat enough to feed several villages in 3rd world countries
  • heatherashleyyy16@xanga

    i think people are retarded.. they shouldnt be focused on the bodies when this site is about the FASHION!! i'm a plus size girl but I understand it's difficult to find real girls in cute poses and in cute clothes!! i wouldnt let it bother you, i love your posts and people are just finding nitpicky stuff to talk about and stir up stuff. 
  • journalofsparkles@xanga

    I'm not actually pro-anything but do suffer from anorexia nervosa. There is an entire world of difference between looking at thinspo and having an ED than to encourage girls with their suffering.

    It's a bit ridiculous, with all the comments made about the size of the girls' bodies. Why is it even necessary is the question.
    If there is any way I can help you, I'd be very glad to. x
  • Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga

    I never heard of thinspo until I joined xanga. Why is it all of a sudden 2009 is "year of body weight" on xanga? People are going overboard with the topic.


    Have you done google searches? A lot of the time you see people who took personal pics with fashion trends & if you ask, they let you feature them. Or you may find independent models who's only reference is word of mouth & they let you post their pics to be seen. I hope this helps!


    --->MiNA<3


    P.S: Ignore the trolls who come & leave hater comments. They have nothing to do...ugh...
  • soyeahthatswhathappened@xanga

    i'll admit, i do like thinspo from time to time. i only use girls who look healthy though, not girls with bones that jut out. i'm certainly not pro eating disorder.


    i read that post. i think people are just oversensitive and looking for a reason to be pissy. it's gotta be hard to find pictures of curvy women modeling trends, since the fashion world is dominated by thin women. i never thought you meant anything by it. keep doing what you're doing. :)
  • B1ANCACACA@xanga

    i did notice most of your pics are of skinny girls but who cares?
    i'd be happy to send you pics.  not sure what your looking for but i'll just send you whatever :]
  • soniality@xanga

    they look normal to me.
    as long as they are eating healthy, there's nothing wrong about being slim.

    honestly, some people are over sensitive.
  • lil_azn_saphire@xanga

    I just didn't like the photos because most of the girls were in their underwear and making those oh so infamous poses (eg kissy face).

    As long as the people in the photos show a great outfit and are covered in the right amount I'll still enjoy your good fashion blogs :]

  • princess_riceball@xanga

    I really don't tread into that part of the internet so I really don't notice the prominence of thinspo sites.  I also really don't go in search of fashion blogs or websites, I've only recently stumbled upon a few and taken more of an interest.  I hadn't even noticed that the girls in the photos were super skinny.  I just saw some super cute outfits that I wanted to create for myself. If I get up the confidence I'll take some photos to submit.
    Either way I love your site as you run it now, but more photos of more people is always good : )
  • Hippy_Kitty@xanga

    Your site its to let people know what's in, and what they should wear. I know I might
    sound like a mean cold hearted girl, but maybe chunky/over weight girls should start
    taking pictures with their sense of style also, if they want to complain so much.
    I love your site, and plenty of props! (:
  • phuck_diz_shiz@xanga

    I like your site
    people make a big deal outda N-O-T-H-I-N-G
    they are just pictures
    and its not like your WHOLE entire site is filled with pro-ana pics

    people on xanga like to start too much drama - and get all defensive and offended to easily

    FORGET ABOUT THEM
  • MaY_gUhN_iNsIdE_oUt@xanga

    It has been an extremely long time since I have posted a comment on Xanga. I do in fact follow lovelyish updates in my e-mail, every day. I will open the posts that appeal to me in a new tab, read them, and quickly look through comments. I read the comments on this particular post and was led to this site here.

    First of all, I had absolutely no idea what "thinspo" was until I just typed it into Google and the Urban Dictionary gave me the definition. I come from a long history of depression and anxiety, and am well aware of the pressure that is portrayed to woman in modern age as far as their figure goes. I am also very aware of the rapidly rising statistics across the globe of eating disorders. The media is hands down the number one source that feeds an eating disorder. I understand that it truly is a disease and I encourage every person who is encountering this issue to seek immediate help from a trusted adult.

    With that said, there is a certain line that should or should not be crossed. The purpose of a blog post is to hear the responses of the public in a agree or disagree manor. Many people are repulsed by the photos that were posted because they were all "thin girls." The intention was not set on the shape, size, color, of the women being photographed. It was about the head wraps, not the size of the person modeling the product.

    More frequently I notice the readers being over sensitive to topics such as this, I am in NO WAY shape or form saying that an eating disorder is a minor problem, if you have issues with the topic, my suggestion would be to go and post comments of that nature on sites that are posting those pictures for that EXACT reason. Every so often there will be a blog on lovelyish referring to the size of women, but generally speaking, this is a fashion blog, and if you are not aware modern day fashion typically revolves around models who are stick thin and eat nothing but crackers and water. I may get a lot of heat for that last comment but it is absolutely the truth. Have you seen Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency, when it was on air on Oxygen? She would beat women down that are already thin so they could make it in the "modeling world."

    My point is, if you have a problem with pictures being posted of thin women on a fashion blog, look elsewhere, because that is what you will find here, and if you find images of women stick thin repulsing, why don't you take your negative comments, turn it into a positive light, and post the positive things on a site such as "thinspo" and give young teens, and women hope that you do not have to be a size 0 to make it in the world, because those are the people that need the reassurance, not somebody who clearly had no meaning to offend anyone.

  • emmaleaaa@xanga

    I didn't notice they were thin. You use what you could find. What you could find was myspace worthy pictures, not your fault. I didn't notice, and I love your site.

    P.S. It was very mature of you to explain yourself upfront rather than get defensive and feed the fire. I give you props.
  • rhea

    Awesome post.. Both this one and the headwrap one. What I didn't get is why its become so acceptable for people to bash the skinny girls, but not the "healthy/normal" ones..

  • AzNgUrl3510@xanga

     i never heard of thinspo website or things like that. You do really good fashion posts and I hope you keep up with it.  I did notice that the girls were skinny in your headband post, but i thought it was because it was the only pictures available. keep up with the good work :)
  • snapeful@xanga

    i like zipia.net and yesasia.com for the asian/fobby fashion sites... of course, korean, japanese, taiwanese, and chinese girls are all very petite and slender (or at least very typically) so i see nothing wrong with your posts. i thought thinspo always had girls in their bras and thongs. i would like it, except i dont raelly like seeing their rib cages etc etc (my crush is yoobin of the wondergirls... but park bom comes in pretty close too and they both have gained weight and that's like super attractive heheheheh). 
  • LAy__x@xanga

    I thought the pictures were fine. True, the girls were really skinny.. but so what?! People just hate too much :[
  • Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga

    I like your site, actually. And yes, the photos are annoyingly thin girls, but for fashion purposes, I guess I can suck it up. You should ask more voraciously [haw haw] for submissions of fashion pictures to be featured on your site. If advertised well, I think it could be a big hit.

    I'll help you with my own submission. I am 5 feet 2 inches tall and 120 lbs. I have never had a serious beef with weight issues, though ideally I'd like to weigh a little less. Still, I am grateful to just be healthy and not too fat or not too skinny.
  • xjadersx@xanga

    It's your site... your blogs.. do whatever you want. If you wouldn't have said anything, and no one had complained, I would of just skimmed the pictures. The only ones that are very obvious Thinspo are the ones that say "Stick__Figure" or something like that on them. Hahah.

    People need to stop being so harsh on this site. It's xanga, it's not the end of the world.

  • Mercredi
    yay!

    http://lookbook.nu/ you have this site... but they are skinny too...
    I liked your article about headbands; And I looked at... headbands!
    These people are probably very insecure. They are the one who see a girl's WEIGHT BEFORE her style. this is closer of a possible ED than an article about headbands.
    And what if these girls or some of them have ED? you would not say: "Oh this girl looks obese"
    They would only say "oh healthy girls let's rec it"

    healthy, skinny, chubby, obese girls are PEOPLE.
    and fashion on the internet is often represented on thin/skinny girls.
    What can we do about that? make our own site? with "normal girls" dressed incredibly? it's up to you. So stop criticizing other and leave "real girl fashion" do her job: give IDEAS. Good ones by the way

    I guess that's what happens when we have success...

  • kyalzinlay@xanga

    Honestly, I have never been to your site until now, and I'm loving it.

    I also looked at the previous post you mentioned, and all I saw was what you wanted to show.
    Not how skinny they were, but fashionable.

    I think it's just the way human are sometimes, you show them something but they see what they wanna see.

    Anyway, after reading your posts, I'm starting to love fashion.
    I used to think that it's not my thing.
    I don't know how to wear. I'm 23 and trust me, I'm still letting my mom choose my clothes.

    So I guess your site is exactly something that people like me need.

  • AasthaKathy@xanga

    I hate 'skinny is in' thing. But this thinspo thing...heard it for the first time!
  • strictlyskinny@xanga

    I think people need to stop thinking they need to be anorexic to look like that

    I know plenty of thin people that don't have a mental illness and I can pick em out easybecause I've been anorexic
    I'll admit that I go through phases where I love thinspo,pro-ana,etc,etcand I know the community is huge
    but I like reading your posts for the fashion not the "thinspo"
    basically, it's all how you look at ityou're not using your photos for maliceso i've never seen them as "thinspo"
  • i_r_keiko@xanga

    I guess to find the "healthy fashion" you have to know how to look.  It is out there.  I've seen it a lot on street fashion sites.  If you google "street fashion" you'll find a lot of blogs with normal people on the streets of different cities.  You can even search some of them for different trends, if you're looking up headbands for example:

    http://streetpeeper.com/search/node/headband?page=1

    Street Peeper is a very good one.  You can also search by city to see what people are wearing in different cities.

    http://street-fashion.net/
    http://stylescout.blogspot.com/

    Also, I think you should start a sister-site where you only post what readers are wearing.  Like, "What is your cute and comfy outfit, or your sexiest, or one inspired by an animal--Send me pictures and I'll post them."

    I appreciate what you're doing here!  Good luck!

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