I get that we all wanna feel beautiful and rock the latest trends. But this new thigh gap jewelry thing? Kinda sends the wrong message, if you ask me. Trying to get that so-called “perfect” thigh gap can lead to some dark places, physically and mentally. Maybe we should think twice before jumping on this bandwagon. There’s more to beauty than exaggerated gaps between your legs, y’know? Let’s keep it real and celebrate our bodies just as they are – flaws and all. Now that’s what I call empowering self-expression. Thigh gaps ain’t the be-all-end-all, ladies. You’re gorgeous just as you are.
Hey ladies! If you wanna keep this thigh gap jewelry convo going, check out my other post “Thigh Gap Jewelry? Say It Isn’t So.”
What is a Thigh Gap?
A thigh gap refers to a space between the thighs when standing upright with feet together. While naturally occurring in some body types, thigh gaps emerged as a mainstream beauty trend in the early 2010s, heavily perpetuated through social media.
Proponents viewed the thigh gap as an aesthetic ideal and a sign of an attractive, slender figure. However, many critics argued that aspiring to a thigh gap promotes unrealistic and unhealthy body standards.
In reality, the presence of a thigh gap has little correlation to fitness level or health. Whether an individual’s thighs touch is largely determined by genetics and bone structure. Striving for a thigh gap when one’s body is not naturally predisposed can lead to unsafe eating and exercise habits.
Despite the criticisms, the desirability of a thigh gap persisted in popular culture and social media. This led to the emergence of an interesting and controversial new fashion accessory – thigh gap jewelry.
The Rise and Controversy of Thigh Gap Jewelry
Thigh gap jewelry refers to ornamental accessories designed to accentuate the space between the wearer’s thighs, creating the visual appearance of a thigh gap. The trend began around 2015 with brands releasing various styles of thigh chains, garters, and applicques intended to be worn high on the inner thighs.
Proponents of the jewelry argue that it allows wearers to participate in the aesthetic of the thigh gap trend in a playful, body-positive way. Rather than promoting unhealthy thinness ideals, the accessories offer a way to simulate the thigh gap look through fashion and self-expression.
However, thigh gap jewelry has also faced significant criticism. Opponents contend that it continues to normalize the idea that thigh gaps are a standard of beauty worth accentuating. Even if the jewelry doesn’t directly promote harmful dieting, any product centered on the thigh gap concept inherently supports unrealistic beauty ideals.
The debate reflects larger social tensions around bodily autonomy and sociocultural beauty standards. While some view thigh gap jewelry as empowering personal style choices, others see it as perpetuating unhealthy expectations for women’s bodies. The conversation mirrors similar discourse around shapewear, corsets, padded bras and other products that modify the appearance of one’s natural figure.
Dangers of Striving for a Thigh Gap
While proponents view thigh gaps as an aesthetic choice, striving for a thigh gap can have serious health consequences. For those not genetically predisposed, achieving a thigh gap requires very low levels of body fat. Women typically need to be below 20% body fat, which is dangerously low for most. It also often requires a significant loss of muscle mass in the thighs.
To attain such low body fat and muscle loss, people often resort to unsafe dieting and over-exercising. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are common side effects, as are body image issues like dysmorphia. In an effort to create a thigh gap through weight loss, many develop incredibly unhealthy relationships with food and exercise.
Additionally, much of the thigh gap advice online is misleading or downright false. Certain workout plans claim to morph one’s body into developing a gap. However, exercise can only do so much to change natural bone structure. No amount of thigh toning or gap-targeted moves can drastically alter the distance between one’s thighs. Promising otherwise leads to disappointment and obsessive striving.
Promoting Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
In recent years, there has been a cultural shift towards rejecting the notion that beauty is defined by the presence of a thigh gap. The body positivity movement and intuitive eating advocates have worked to counter the narrative that everyone must strive for the thin, gap-legged aesthetic to be considered attractive.
Appreciating natural body diversity is key. Bodies come in a vast array of healthy sizes and shapes. We must move past false binaries like “thigh gap = good” and “no thigh gap = bad.” Neither inherently relates to health, fitness, or inherent worth as a person.
For optimal wellbeing, the focus should be on becoming the strongest, healthiest version of one’s particular body type. This involves tuning out the noise of unrealistic media depictions and social pressures. What matters are holistic fitness goals based on performance, not just physical appearance.
By taking the emphasis off arbitrary metrics like thigh gaps, we can foster more realistic self-perception and body satisfaction. The goal must be progress, not perfection based on imagined ideals. A healthy, capable body that serves you well is always beautiful.
Healthy Perspectives on Fitness Goals
When establishing fitness objectives, it is important to focus on performance-based goals rather than appearance-only goals. For example, seeking to improve your cardiovascular endurance or get stronger has inherent value for your health. Whereas the sole goal of achieving a thigh gap is about looks and risks unhealthy methods.
It’s also key to recognize that many media images of idealized bodies are digitally altered or outright unrealistic. Comparing oneself to photoshopped models provides no productive benchmark. Fitness inspiration should come from celebrating real people with all types of healthy bodies thriving through movement.
Seeking a thigh gap contradicts the natural diversity in body types. For those not predisposed, a thigh gap can only be attained through dangerous thinness. We must embrace our body’s natural shape as it is. Thigh gaps are largely genetic – no amount of dieting creates one for bodies not built that way.
Aim to maximize your potential within your body’s specific attributes. Strive for strength, mobility, versatility and balance. Measure progress through metrics of performance, such as weights lifted or miles run, not centimeters between thighs. Define beauty and fitness on your own terms, not arbitrary ideals.
If you want the tea on this spicy thigh gap jewelry drama, check out my other post “Thigh Gap Jewelry: A Provocative Statement on Body Image Standards.”
Conclusion
The thigh gap trend and subsequent rise of thigh gap jewelry reveals much about society’s complicated relationship with beauty ideals and standards. While proponents view thigh gap jewelry as empowering self-expression, critics argue it continues to promote unrealistic expectations for women’s bodies.
Ultimately, adopting healthy self-perception and a body positive mindset requires rejecting notions that worth and beauty are defined by thigh gaps. We must appreciate the diversity of body types and focus on holistic health and fitness goals, not just appearance.
Thigh gaps are not indicative of health, fitness or inherent value. But self-acceptance, body appreciation and safe fitness habits are the keys to wellbeing. By shifting cultural perspectives on beauty, we can foster greater confidence and satisfaction in our bodies as they naturally are.
The key is cultivating self-love, avoiding harmful comparisons, and defining beauty on our own terms. While fashion accessories can allow creative expression, we must be mindful of the underlying messages they may reinforce. True self-empowerment comes from within.
Are Thigh Gaps Attractive? (Good or Bad?)
Alright ladies, let’s chat! I wanna know what you really think about this thigh gap jewelry situation. Is it just some harmless fun and self-expression? Or are we kinda promoting unrealistic body standards by making thigh gaps seem glamorous?
Personally, I’m torn. I get wanting to play up your best assets, but I also worry we put too much pressure on looking a certain way. It can def lead some gals down an unhealthy path. What do you think?
So sound off in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts and have an open convo. How can we embrace our quirks while also lifting each other up? When does “self-love” actually turn into self-harm? Hit me with your opinions! Maybe we can figure this thing out together. The floor is yours, ladies!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
