Words by Samantha Jenkins
Art by Isabella Nye

“Ooh girl ya butt look good. Have you seen you? You’re killin’ it today, ugh”.

That’s what I tell myself, looking back in the mirror, on the off chance that I’m actually loving what I see.

Sometimes, feeling confident, and just plain sexy, isn’t easy. You’ll be completely on the ball one day, and then the next…your stretch marks are looking as loud as ever, your butt isn’t quite as perky as you thought it was and your stomach is not-happy-Jan in that crop top.

But, have no fear! There are a few things you can do to feel cute and sparkly:

• Hype yourself up with some warm sunny self talk
• Try on that fave cute fit of yours
• Put on a naughty little lacey number

Guys, it’s 2018, and we’re all about empowerment, self-love and just feeling cute in the bodies we’re given.

Funnily enough though, something I think can really help with this, is lingerie. It’s been around since the 1700s, but in terms of everyday fashion, it’s really evolved over time. It used to be something you might only wear in the bedroom, as a symbol of your sexual desire and mischievousness – fast track to now – it can be worn more overtly, and has even creeped its way into everyday outerwear. Think: bralettes, slip dresses, and lacey silky tops – all of these pieces are inspired from lingerie designs of the ‘20s and ‘30s.

I love the idea of lingerie, because it can make you feel dainty and delicate, yet also expresses your naughty side at the same time. Plus, if it makes you look bangin’ AND feel confident, then by all means – work your stuff!

However, I just have a few gripes with the industry itself. Just like the fashion industry, the lingerie world is notorious for trying to forge how women should feel sexy; rather than doing their bit to contribute to this whole love yourself movement. Most brands are still utilising the same slim, taut, airbrushed, and erotic criteria through which they advertise their products. The whole industry revolves around the premise that only a certain type of girl wears lingerie and any sort of ‘diversity,’ just seems token.

I wanted to get a second opinion on this, so I asked some gal pals what their thoughts were – and the responses were interesting indeed!

One friend said that lingerie can be a way for women to “reclaim their sexuality and express themselves,” but followed this by saying that the lingerie business is even worse than the fashion industry; not only does it “promote an unrealistic idea of pretty,” but it focuses on your actual body, and how it looks.

Another friend brought to my attention that a high school was actually banning its students from wearing lingerie. Now in this context, I can understand the action, but in the grand scheme of things this example raises a bigger issue.

Lingerie is too often associated directly with eroticism, and sexual desire – and many big brands’ marketing campaigns seem to reflect this.

Just because a woman wears lingerie, doesn’t mean she’s tryin’ to get some. A lot of friends I talked to actually added to this, sharing the opinion that through wearing lingerie, they did feel sexy. However, this sexiness correlated more with a spark of confidence and the ability to express themselves through their sexuality.

This raises yet another issue – when lingerie is marketed towards women, with the purpose of ‘pleasing their man’. Now, how fucking backward is this? For more examples of this mindset, you can look at any cooking appliance advertisement of the 1950s. You’re welcome.

Nowadays, however, this form of gender stereotyping is seen with much more subtlety.
For example, it might manifest itself through a tagline of a Valentine’s Day ad, like: “Something special for him”.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good for your boy or your gal, but if brands are using this as a main marketing strategy – they need to get with the times.

Lingerie is great, and women should be able to wear it whenever, and however they want to. We’re all entitled to feeling sexy while being our best selves – so keep doing you!