Admirable or Insulting?
Bizarre September 21st, 2015So today as I was changing clothes after my lunch time walk, I noticed this as I was slipping on a new pair of jeans I bought this weekend.
Right there on the inner waist band is a declaration from Lee Jeans that I am beautiful.
At first I was like “Aw, that’s nice.”
And then I was like “Waaaaaitttt a minute.”
I’m not inclined to appreciate my jeans company tossing me compliments every time I put my pants on.
I’m more inclined to be annoyed that it’s basically a marketing ploy to make me feel good about myself, and perhaps by extension, the company that thinks I’m beautiful. You know, so I buy more jeans that love me.
I’m onto you, Lee!
And question – did they put these cutesy reminders in the waist bands of mens jeans, I wonder? Like, “You’re one handsome man!”
Do men need a reminder how wonderful they are, or just insecure women who hate trying on jeans and having them not fit right and then feel like crap about themselves? What’s the message to woman here?
Let’s have it. Tell me how you feel about “You are beautiful” in the comments. Love it or hate it?
Stumble it!
September 21st, 2015 at 9:20 pm
Reminds of the punchline to the joke about thermos bottles – Of course it’s condescending. I’ve got a mirror and I know how to use it. And I need their validation? It’s late-ish, I’m tired, this annoys me. So glad I don’t wear jeans…
Grace´s last blog post ..This is my life…
September 21st, 2015 at 10:24 pm
I don’t mean your post is annoying, I mean the whole concept is annoying – I don’t like people telling me to have a nice day, so I sure as hell don’t want clothes telling me who or what I am.
Grace´s last blog post ..This is my life…
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:20 am
Grace — I knew what you meant 🙂 I don’t need validation from my pants either! It’s a silly concept. Marketing, it’s all marketing.
September 22nd, 2015 at 5:17 am
I’m going with insulting. It reminds me of the comment my husband makes. He’ll say “you look good…for your age” It’s like the jeans are saying “yeah, your beautiful but must you stick your size 10 body in size 6 jeans”
Ann´s last blog post ..Sounding like a broken record
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:48 am
The intent is good, but I agree. I feel like insecurities are hyper-vocalized these days (via social media especially). I roll my eyes with all the internet ‘beauty’ fluff. I think society believes we need to be coddled more than we actually do.
What I do appreciate are sincere efforts that are about being “REAL”. Like Aerie using real bodied models: http://www.businessinsider.com/aerie-ad-photos-arent-airbrushed-2015-7
Aerie is not plastering all their undies with “#youarebeautiful” on the butt – they are portraying it. It’s like talk vs action. Printing “You are beautiful” on jeans is all talk, show me how I look beautiful in these jeans by making them suit my body and portray others with my body in those jeans in your marketing.
End rant. Haha!
Vanessa´s last blog post ..Easton Heritage Day
September 23rd, 2015 at 4:13 am
Ann — Right? They’re like mildly passive-aggressive jeans. Who needs that?
Vanessa — Thank you so much for posting that link to unretouched models. That’s a company I can get behind. I’m with you that society believes we need to be coddled. It’s so obviously a marketing ploy as to be completely ineffective and makes me question their motives. Loved your rant!
December 6th, 2015 at 8:39 am
I’m not a fan of this. I think it’s profoundly trite, even patronizing. There are better ways of getting girls and women to love themselves without branding disingenuous compliments on the insides of their waistbands. A social media campaign with hashtag affirmations would be more real than this.
March 20th, 2016 at 1:55 am
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