Jul 8, 20223 min read

Is ‘Skinny’ Coming Back in Style?

Hot Take: Bodies aren't trends

CREDIT: Pinterest

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have been the beauty standard for over a decade, but before her, the beauty standard was none other than Paris Hilton.

The early 2000s were a rough time for body positivity. Practically every form of media was spewing the idea that women had to be their slimmest to look their best.

There has been a wave of content on social media that focuses on obtaining slimmer body types rather than curvier ones.

So, is “size 0” fashion coming back?

Over the years society has come to the realization that clothes were made to fit us, not the other way around (shocking, I know). But I can’t help but notice that certain trends and lifestyles are starting to come back that may challenge this mindset.

Watching “Keeping up with the Kardashians” for the first time recently made me realize the lengths the Kardashian women have gone to ensure they are always looking their best, and most importantly, trending on social media.

It’s pretty obvious that the sisters, mostly Khloe and Kim in the earlier seasons, had work done to maintain their curvy figures and define their brand. I mean, when you think of the Kardashians you immediately think about their unattainable bodies. But recently it has looked like both Khloe and Kim have opted for a slimmer look by undoing (assumed) plastic surgery.

Is this the end of an era?

Fans are speculating that this change is pointing to a shift in the trends of the near future. This theory isn’t too far off considering the Kardashians are usually ahead of the game when it comes to trends.

It’s no secret that fashion trends have always catered toward slender frames, and low-rise jeans are the perfect example of this.

Of course, fashion comes full circle, and we have been in a Y2K moment for a while but I never imagined that low-rise jeans would make a dreadful comeback. I vividly remember a TikTok I saw about a year ago that predicted this god-awful trend and laughed in disbelief that anyone would ever want to bring such an unflattering piece of clothing back. But here we are.

The unflattering fit of low-rise jeans combined with the fact that they can’t fit much space for hips screams “skinny privilege.”

If your TikTok For You Page is anything like mine, it’s filled with women gushing about how pilates has completely changed their lives and bodies. Don’t get me wrong — this is a totally great thing and has made me consider pilates so many times, but it makes me question why more women are opting for pilates over lifting weights.

More and more women are focusing on getting a “leaner” look through pilates and are worried about getting bulky from weight training (Spoiler alert: That won’t happen.).

I think a lot of it stems from the “that girl” aesthetic and wanting to be seen as feminine and dainty, but we shouldn’t let that stop us from looking and feeling strong. Pilates is not some magic exercise that’s going to give everyone the body of Bella Hadid overnight. Focusing on a workout that makes you feel confident and strong is the main goal, not trying to achieve a certain body type.

The constant body checking on TikTok is not helping either. This can lead many girls to hyperfixate on their appearance and body. I can’t help but to think that TikTok is turning into a modern version of 2014 Tumblr.

So, as much as I hope this era does not come back, I can’t help to feel as though a change might be happening very soon. We just need to remember that our body types aren’t fashion trends — and never will be.

Alyssa Barnes is an Online Writer at Rowdy Magazine. Some of her favorite things include iced chai lattes, binging reality TV shows, or trying to find the best pizza spot in Gainesville. You can find her on Instagram at @_alyssabarnes_ or contact her at alyssabarnes2912@gmail.com.