The body positive movement is a widely discussed topic in today’s climate. What is body positive and what does it really mean? Is body positivity something everyone should be striving for?
We’re not born with self-loathing, so how the F**k did we get here in the first place? Has society dictated what we should look like? According to Science of People, “Perceptions surrounding beauty and body types not only vary by culture but have evolved significantly throughout history.” Read more in Science of People's "Beauty Standards" article.
What happens if we don’t live up to the body and beauty standards at hand? Is it possible to make a clean break from these standards? Can what we wear change how we feel about our bodies, or is it just a journey from within? Take a look at our view and mission -A Nuu Mission.
What is the Body Positive Movement? "The body-positive movement seeks to defy media projected bodily stereotypes, celebrate diversity and encourage bodily self-appreciation, warts and all! Does the body positive movement bring deliverance from uniformity or further fuel the consumer-led obsession with self-image?" Taylor & Francis. "Body positive movement: Consumerist revolution?." ScienceDaily.
There is no model bodyor singular way to look. Since we are in the boob business, we will focus our attention on boobs! In short, after the invention of the corset, came bras. Let’s be honest, bras have not allowed women to truly be themselves. Stemming from the crazy idea that boobs had to be high, full, and supported; padded and wired bras were created.
To this day, bra companies are still pushing that their products “lift” your boobs! From bras came the invention of bralettes. Although simmered in their reshaping of our bodies, bralettes are still succumbing to these unfortunate perceptions of beauty society has pushed upon us. Feeding into these old constructs that are so destructive to women, bralettes create unnatural uniboob, erase nipples, and cover-up side boob. Still, we wonder how and why the body-positive movement started! Is it backlash from the sexual objectification women have been subjected to through the male gaze? Have we just simply had enough and want to finally be ourselves?
After years of being objectified by others, we have reached a breaking point. We have begun buying into body standards and in turn objectifying ourselves. This constant evaluation of appearance and self-objectification can increase a woman’s anxiety surrounding their physical appearance. For example, reducing opportunities for women’s peak motivational states/flow, diminishing awareness of internal bodily connection and increasing women’s opportunities for body shame.
Many brands have chosen to profit from the Body Positivity movement by applying the terms to their products and brand. Although, when you think about it, can a brand/product really take credit for how someone feels about themselves positively vs. negatively?
Let’s look at the bra industry. The industry has made strides to becoming more “inclusive” by way of expanding its size range. What’s the real reasoning behind this expansion? Is this just to meet the demands of the population and “sell” more goods or do brands have a true sense of responsibility in their inclusion and no longer care about promoting cultural beauty standards?
We believe body positivity does not solely focus on the size of your body. There are so many other factors related to how we feel about ourselves and whether society does or doesn’t recognize us. Let’s look at skin tone; the term “nude” was meant to describe only light-colored skin. Here at Nuudii, we’ve recognized from the beginning how wrong this association was. Due to this, we have created our very own skin-toned palette, Nuu light, and Nuu Brownz. Regardless of skin tone, both colors are offered to everyone and anyone who wants. Nuu Light and Nuu Brownz work with all skin tones, neither are limited.
For the longest time, it was near impossible to find makeup in anything but light tones. The lack of product combined with the apparent demand from women of color has motivated new company, Mented, to launch. “We created Mented Cosmetics because we believe every woman should be able to find herself in the world of beauty, no matter her skin tone. We know you'll love being put first - because when it comes to beauty, no one deserves to be an afterthought.” said Mented founders. That’s right, no one deserves to be an afterthought.
While companies are busy finding ways to meet the demands of products, it's often difficult to remember brands can’t be everything to everybody. Bras, bralettes, and boobwear (i.e. Nuudii) are all a part of a vast terrain that needs special attention and development. Here atNuudii System, we expanded our sizes from 3 to 7 (which fits over 31 bra sizes) Nuudii sizes in just one year, with plans for further expansion next year.
Truly loving ourselves is an inside job. If we are looking for brands or society to build us up, that’s a shifting and shaky foothold for the soul. Body Positivity icon Lizzo is loved by the Nuudii Team. In an article for BrydieLizzo says, "I started talking to my belly this year," she captioned the video of her reciting positive affirmations to her stomach in front of a mirror. "Blowing her kisses and showering her with praises. I used to want to cut my stomach off. I hated it so much. But it's literally me. I am learning to radically love every part of myself. Even if it means talking to myself every morning. This is your sign to love on yourself today."
If we can’t get to loving ourselves, can we at least make peace with our bodies? There is so much freedom in the space of acceptance. Float in a bath, get a massage, dance, bang on a drum, and just feel the vibrations. Do whatever you can to reconnect with your body and just feel. Small steps can lead to big changes. Our bodies work so hard every day to keep us going.
“My instructor would start the class talking about what an amazing structure the foot is, how it roots us to the earth. Then she would guide a self-massage of the foot and encourage us to revel in each sensation,” Starr recalls. “She asked us to be conscious of how it felt to walk down the street, where our weight hit, how it shifted, and to recognize the small miracle of walking. All of that allowed me to think of my body not as something that needed to be changed or that had to be punished but as a vessel that could carry me through anything” says Dorothy Foltz-Gray.
Prioritizing body confidence can be expressed in many ways. Here at Nuudii, we like to say, “Boobs are boob-shaped, and we like it that way”. Wearing Nuudii is a way to embrace your natural shape without forcing your body to fit any mold. Our light stretchy fabric allows your skin to breathe, blood to flow, and for some gentle movement.
In terms of our body image, many of us have that one thing, or two, that we struggle with in terms of our body image. Whether it’s your tummy, your thighs, or your breast shape, it’s easy to focus on the negative and obsess over your so-called “flaw.” Here’s the thing though, wearing lingerie may help you to see your body in a whole new light. As for those flaws? Well, you may not see them anymore. Slipping on a pretty lace-covered unlined bra, for example, can help you to embrace your natural breast shape without forcing them to fit a particular mold. Donning a gorgeous pair of cheeky panties will no doubt have you rethinking whether your derriere is too small. Somehow, lingerie has a way of encouraging us to appreciate our bodies for their uniqueness rather than wishing they looked a certain way. If you have a hard time accepting any part of your body, adorning it, and dressing it up with a beautiful undergarment can certainly help you to feel better about it.
Here at Nuudii, we’re starting a Booby Positive movement.