My friend met me in London last week and said, “I’m getting too thin”; unnoticeable in pictures. I am gradually looking thinner due to my fixation on plant-based foods and exercise. Being called skinny once felt like the highest physical accolade. The figure represents fashion and elegance; a unique minority of people able to maintain a sought-after silhouette. Yet it’s also linked to hunger, insecurity and shame.
Being called skinny as a compliment
An article on the publication Mind Green Body written by Taynua Page, suggests being called skinny “can be just as uncomfortable as being called chubby.” Page discusses how it’s socially acceptable to comment on slim body shapes and how as a “naturally thin” woman, she’s had to face direct questions like: “Do you eat?”.
Both of my best friends in high school naturally honed slender physiques. One embraced the joys of eating whatever she wanted without weight gain, and the other desperately tried to put on weight and frequently visited her doctor for advice. Being called skinny is a double-edge sword. People think it’s okay to use the term because of its underlying complimentary tones. Ten years ago, everybody desired thinness. Magazines sold themselves on diet advice and fat-burning cardio tips.
Today, many thin people feel ostracised. The “strong not skinny” concept shames women not flaunting muscles and memes on social media mock those not possessing adequate curves. To compliment someone on looking skinny, is to assume they relish slim ideologies. By the same token, if someone is trying to become thin, complimenting their efforts encourages them to continue.
Body shape vs. diet fixation
For a couple of years, I’ve documented my fitness journey on Instagram. The more progression – definition and toning achieved, the extra praise and attention. Though there’s a huge difference between trying to become fit and attempting to lose pounds, the two styles naturally bond. When I published my post: When Skinny Thoughts Affect Fitness, others related to the struggle of trying to remove thin admiration in order to work on strength.
It’s easy to forget being called skinny is not just about catwalk model inspiration. Many females do naturally resemble Audrey Hepburn and they should feel confident and proud of their bodies instead of living with stigma. In society’s attempt to stop dangerous diets and low self-esteem caused by worrying about size, the media has targeted slim women. Songs such as Anaconda by Nicki Minaj and All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor, uplift curvy women by joking about skinny.
Plus size models supposedly create inclusion and promote body diversity. In my opinion, we’re simply jumping between two extremes. Runway shows like YSL promote “skeletal models” (signs of purposely not eating), and plus size models – Tess Holliday, hide our “obesity crisis”. And the fitness industry loves showcasing predominantly one look: large glutes and six-pack abs.
Overuse of the word
From skinny lattes to skinny mojitos, the word markets itself across various industries. Refinery 29 published an article on “Dangerous ‘Skinny’ Beauty Marketing”, highlighting brands such as Skinny Tan and Skinny Cream found on Amazon. The piece explains how brands use the word as a “badge of honour”, casually linking themselves to diet culture.
Whether the term is positive or negative, it seems from a marketing viewpoint, skinny is lucrative and attractive enough to increase sales. Kim Kardashian notoriously endorses her desire to look thin. Last year, she expressed joy in her Instagram story at Khloe and Kendall calling her anorexic.
She like many celebrities and influencers online, advertise appetite suppressing products and diet aids. Using celebrity ambassadors who video themselves at the gym and post nutritious meals, subtly suggests quick remedies to scale down make for a healthy solution. From what you buy to the people you see online, skinny continually receives publicity.
What’s the truth?
Would the fashion world accept Victoria Beckham if she went back to her Spice Girls size? Fashion is about the unattainable and for the majority, resembling runway girls isn’t possible. People love the idea of skinny because it’s often hard to achieve. If everyone had Sarah Jessica Parker’s figure in SATC, would it look as good?
There’s no exact definition on what constitutes skinny. With the Western World averaging larger sizes, the gap between thin and not thin is widening. Skinny has transitioned to a dirty, secretly satisfying word. You don’t come out and say you’re hoping to achieve it, but don’t worry about it either. The “Twiggy” trend will eventually come back; they’ll be another Kate Moss saying “Nothing tastes as good”.
I can’t see a day when women don’t wake up feeling insecure or pressured by their looks, so skinny will always shift between positive and negative. How do you feel about it? Do you think it’s a compliment? Read: Our Dangerous Wellness Obsession
Personally, I think people today are stereotyping. They set the standards and if you don’t fit on that, you’re different. Well, everyone is different. It’s good to be different. We all should just accept that. Let’s stop stereotyping and body shaming. Let people do what they want and let’s just look at the positive side so we can all be happy. And remember, beauty comes from within. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I do think people stereotype a lot today and assume a person’s lifestyle based on their weight and overall look. It’s easy to assume something without knowing the truth.
Before my thyroid decided to not cooperate anymore, I was really skinny, I had a BMI of about 14. I did everything I could to gain weight, I ate like every meal was my last, I had unhealthy food, I tried working out to gain muscles. Anything I could think of, I did. Doctor’s even told me to drink cream instead of water or milk! Everytime someone praised me for being so skinny, I died a bit on the inside. I really, really, really wanted to be healthy, and I worked so hard for it. When I finally, after the whole thyroid thing, gained my first 10 kilos I was SO happy. I finally looked like an adult. Of course, not a day went by that people didn’t asked me what happened “you used to be so think and pretty!”..
I absolutely refuse to comment on peoples weight, no matter what it is. I’ve been on both ends, and I hate it both the same.
What I find today, people have a really strong idea of what “healthy” looks like. They usually imagine a lot of muscle and abs glaring through. But plenty of “skinny” people can still have muscle and be healthy.
I think it’s rude to comment on people’s weight and do so using your own ideals. Some people just assume everyone loves the idea of being skinny and so they use it as a compliment. The word has countless meanings for every individual.
It seems that society still has a long way to go before we are able to completely look beyond a woman’s physical appearance and simply appreciate her for her talents, intellect and spirit
I don’t know if we will ever fully get to that place. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with caring about apperance, but women are always linked to their beauty first. It’s a shame it’s not balanced.
Obviously it depends on the context but if I were to be called skinny in my teenage years, I really would have considered it as a compliment I think. As a child, I went through skinny days and eventually did become chubby at some point. I lost a lot of chubbiness in my teens through exercise one summer and became skinnier but I wouldn’t say skinny. Now that I look back, I would probably describe it as skinny fat. And if you have ever lost weight, there are days where you consciously still feel like the fat kid.
The thing is, in text form, when we say skinny, it’s this idea of describing someone who’s really skinny – skin and bones. But the thing is, everyone’s definition of skinny can actually be really different. I say this because I have been called skinny before to my surprise. This is not me being self-deprecating or modest or whatever – I’ve genuinely never been skinny before. There are friends more slender than me who have called me skinny! (which I find hugely puzzling.)
In the past year or so, I’ve gained some weight which is why I’ve been very active lately. I said this to my best friend one day and she was very taken aback, almost offended because in her opinion, I didn’t need to lose weight. This is also another stereotype I really dislike. If you are “skinny”, should you not exercise and just eat to your heart’s desire? There just needs to be a balance somewhere along with some self-love preach.
I think people forget that skinny doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. And though the idea of staying slim while eating whatever felt very appealing a few years back, people now are focusing more on health.
You’re right in saying everyone has a different idea of what skinny is. It can mean two different things to two different people. And some like the idea of skinny while others find it offensive. Thank you for sharing your comment.
Idk but I think being called skinny is neither a negative thing or a compliment. I feel like if you’re too skinny then that is a serious prob in which action should be taken. But if you’re skinny and it looks like you’re on a good diet and fit, I think it’s totally ok and I would take it as a compliment. You shouldn’t be too chubby or too skinny like either extremes. You should be moderate in weight, as long as you are healthy and fit. GIrl, you look gorgeous and beautiful and love just the way you are ❤️
I think a lot of it has to do with how you perceive the word. I use to be best friends with a girl who would constantly be told she was skinny and must not eat much etc. So for her, she didn’t see skinny as a good thing.
You can be healthy and skinny though. I think the word is linked to so many different views, it’s complimentary if the person has a nice interpretation.
Thank you for the compliment lovely and for taking the time to read. x
The way the world is revolvng nowadays, I don’t think being called skinny is a compliment like it once was. Easier said than done, but I think the right physique is one where a lady is comfortable with herself. Honestly, I am laughing here, because I am not sure any woman can truly achieve a state where she is completely happy with herself.
Ten years ago, being called skinny was the ultimate compliment. But I guess with people concerned about health now, some see skinny as a bad thing. They’d rather be called fit or toned.Being happy with yourself is the best thing, but like you say, a state many can’t achieve! Thank you Andrew for your comments.
My pleasure.