This is a touchy subject but one that has been filling our TVs, computers and magazines as of late and one that I feel needs to be addressed. And while I’ve been thinking about writing about this topic for quite some time, the need to talk about it was heightened after all this Lululemon controversy this week. I’m left feeling torn so I thought we should all come together and make it a discussion.
I’d be lying if I said there was never a point in my life when I wanted “the thigh gap,” when I found that to be something to strive for, something to work for and something that would make me a “prettier” person. Oh how times have changed.
Especially over the last few years, since really diving into my health and fitness and making it a priority, I’ve realized that is not something I want or will ever strive for again; it’s not a sign of health or one’s beauty and while some women may have it, the majority do not, will not and should not.
I look at my body, but especially my legs as a form of strength. My body can do so much more than I ever knew was even possible! Heck, these thigh touching legs can run 13.1 miles and I’m so freaking proud of that!
I don’t look at my legs and only see thighs that touch. I don’t look at my legs and see something that needs to be trimmed down. Instead, I look at my legs and I see strength, I see hours of hard work and dedication, and I am proud of how far these legs can carry me.
So where does that bring me?
To the Lululemon controversy over the CEO’s comment about their pants not being made for “certain women’s bodies.” If you watch this clip, you’ll notice the co-founder/his wife is giving him the dagger eyes, knowing he’s being one of those dumb men who don’t know when it’s time to shut up.
I wear Lululemon pants (well, the one piece I own) and I absolutely love them. I feel like they flatter my figure while also being comfortable and easy to move, whether running or doing yoga. But I don’t like his comment and while I think I know what he was trying to say, he said it with all the wrong words.
You see, one of my favorite yoga instructors, Gigi Yogini, is an ambassador for Lululemon, a beautiful woman on the inside and out, and one who preaches for women to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies no matter their size. After the CEO’s statement went viral, Gigi shared this:
So how do I feel?
Slightly torn but I’m not going to stop wearing my Lululemon pants. I love them and they make me feel confident and comfortable, like Gigi said. I don’t shop there often because it’s not at a price point I can afford on a regular basis but I guess I’m saying, I’m not going to stop window shopping or splurging on the occasional piece.
As Gigi said, I have never walked into that store and felt uncomfortable. I always feel the staff is super supportive and happy to help me find something that will work for me and my body. I have seen the same kind of customer service shown to others of all shapes and sizes (whether I know them or not) as they shop around, as well.
So let’s discuss:
-What are your thoughts on the Lululemon CEO’s statement?
-Thigh gap – your thoughts?
I have been living under a rock lately, and so I had no idea about this. With that said, I think it is clear that this guy had no idea what he was really conveying. At least I hope not! I don’t own anything Lulu because I’m cheap, but if I did… I would still wear it!
I can’t stop wearing it just because the dude’s a jerk! But it does make me think twice about if I want to buy MORE stuff from there.
Did you see the whole interview though? The guy just rubbed me the wrong way (unlike the pants..which I don’t wear ha!). Also I’m curious…what WAS he trying to say? I think we all know what he was saying, but if that is the case (the pants don’t fit certain women), they should either fix that or not bring it up at all, right?? Bad PR!
Of course I haven’t bought a single piece of lululemon due to prices so I haven’t had the opportunity to fall in love with the clothing, but I still think they deserve the flack they have been getting. How will companies learn if we just brush everything like that under the rug?
I echo all of your sentiments, Amanda (and not just the “I refuse/can’t/won’t pay those prices” part of it). While I actually didn’t know this whole PR thing had happened with the company, I DO know ALL about the thigh gap, and have been–as I think y’all know–studying the distortion of health perceptions as transmitted in social media. The combination of all of this is that subtle messages from Lululemon, which is supposed to be a company of empowerment for strength and health in women, has somehow–inadvertently or not–indicated that some women don’t “measure up,” and not just to the thin ideal but to the HEALTHY ideal they are promoting. While we should encourage women who feel discrepant from the norm of health to make choices, it can SO quickly turn in the wrong direction, and I think these mixed messages need to be called into question.
I’ll stop now. I’ll save it for the dissertation. 🙂
I’m missing an adjective in front of ‘choices.’ Just…you know…FYI. 🙂
I feel like I need a copy of your dissertation…you know, once it’s done. 🙂
I am definitely on the higher end of the Lulu sizes but LOVE every single piece of clothing I own from them (and am their wearing capris right now!). I’m definitely not happy that their CEO is such a douchebag but damnit, I love the clothing. It’s ridiculously overpriced and I really hate that I love it so much… but I do.
I heard about this on the news. He sure did get the dagger eyes from his wife! lol I thikn it’s ignorant and too bad he has that outlook, but I wouldn’t completely boycott the company. although, it’s few and far between that I step foot in a Lulu. Actually the first time I was in a store was at BLEND this year.
WOW i actually had no idea about the whole lulu incident babe! wow wow wow wow wow. as a girl who wears lulu clothing more than any other brand, i am sad that he would say something like that BUT like you i won’t stop wearing lulu
i wear lulu not because of the trend but because the clothes actually fit me and make me feel fricken awesome. so i will keep rocking my lulus!
as for the whole thigh gap thing…. obviously i know what you’re talking about, but to be honest i hadn’t heard about it until i started blogging or approx last year. so i am not lying when i say it’s never been something i thought of haha i think it just sounds incredibly stupid haha
So this may come off as strange but I feel sorry for the guy and understand where his comments are coming from. His company keeps getting attacked and a lot of it is because we wear the pants A LOT (hello, they’re super comfy, who wouldn’t??!) and we tend to buy a size smaller than we actually should. I think a way he could get around a lot of the controversy is to train the fitting room staff to fit each customer to their actual size… Might eliminate see-through pants and fabric stretching/pilling.