The fashion industry has only recently begun to make progress when it comes to issues of body diversity and positivity. With many brands extending their sizing ranges, or some startups rising up to offer clothes that cater to plus sizes; it might be fair to say that many people in the industry have begun to realize that they need to pay attention to this issue.
However, one would not be far-fetched to say that many people think of body positivity as a women’s issue. After all, most of these companies are attempting to appeal to women and the majority of offerings being made are traditionally feminine clothes.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that we often associate strict beauty standards and body shaming to be issues faced by women and young girls. We are not wrong, many feminist agendas have been quick to point out how women in particular, from a historical standpoint, are faced with certain pressures concerning their appearance. However, we are wrong to ignore another side of the issue; men can also be forced to contend with their own issues concerning body image.
After all, there are masculine beauty standards that are just as elusive and restrictive as those put before women. Yet, American Eagle may be among the first brands to change that. The fashion retailer recently released photos from their new campaign, Ne(X)t Level Fall Denim. The campaign showcases different men with diverse body types. It was made to promote the new #AEJeans, which the brand says “celebrates diverse body shapes and highlights how the range of sizes are made to move and make the customer feel their best.”
I can FINALLY tell you guy the SECRET news! I’m apart of @americaneagle’s newest campaign #AEJeans (Denim Series) pic.twitter.com/cFrpuLgGmm
— Thaddeus C. (@ItsHippyPotter) July 26, 2018
This campaign also announces the availability of a new size range when it comes to men’s jeans, which will now be available in waist sizes 26-44 and lengths 28-36.
The AE label has been making efforts toward body positivity before, as many will remember when they first announced that they would not be retouching photos of their models in campaigns for Aerie, their lingerie brand. Aerie only recently released photos of a campaign featuring models with disabilities and different conditions earlier this month.
If anything, these new efforts by AE can be viewed as a sign of progress. Hopefully, other companies might get the message and follow in their example.
1 Comment
This campaign is really cool and different because you rarely see body positivity applied to menswear.