Body Positive Ads Examples: Celebrating Diverse Bodies
Are you tired of seeing the same old ads that make you feel like you’re not good enough?
Well, I’ve got some good news for you! In this article, I will show you some amazing examples of body-positive ads breaking the mold and celebrating diversity.
From empowering campaigns by brands like Dove and Nike to social media influencers who are leading the charge for body positivity, we’ll explore some of the most inspiring examples of ads that celebrate all bodies.
So, get ready to feel inspired and uplifted because this is one article you won’t want to miss!
What Are Body Positive Ads?
In advertising, the focus has traditionally been on promoting products and services by showcasing the standard body type – tall, thin, and conventionally attractive.
However, in recent years, advertising has shifted towards more inclusive and diverse representation. That’s where body-positive ads come in.
Body-positive ads promote body acceptance and self-love, regardless of shape, size, or appearance.
These ads feature models of all sizes, races, genders, and abilities. They aim to challenge the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the media.
As someone who has struggled with body image issues, I understand how important it is to see diverse bodies represented in the media.
Body-positive ads have the power to not only boost self-esteem but also to create a more inclusive and accepting society.
Body Positive Ad Examples
Dove Real Beauty Sketches by Dove
I love the Dove Real Beauty Sketches campaign. They feature women of all ages and sizes describing themselves to a forensic artist who sketches them without seeing them.
The women then have to describe each other to the artist, and the difference in the sketches is amazing.
This campaign is all about showing women that they are more beautiful than they think and that they should embrace their natural beauty.
Aerie Real Campaign by Aerie
The Aerie Real Campaign is another amazing example of body positivity. Aerie, a lingerie and loungewear brand, decided to stop retouching its models and to show them as they are.
This campaign shows women of all sizes and shapes stretch marks. It’s about celebrating real beauty and empowering women to feel confident in their skin.
Lane Bryant’s #Plus Is Equal
Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual campaign is about challenging the traditional beauty standards the fashion industry sets.
The campaign features plus-size models wearing lingerie and showing off their curves. It’s all about embracing your body, no matter your size, and feeling confident and sexy in your skin.
Own Your Shape by Allen Solly Woman
The Allen Solly Woman “Own Your Shape” body-positive ad is a campaign that celebrates diversity and encourages women to embrace their unique shapes and sizes.
The ad promotes body positivity, self-love, and acceptance and encourages women to celebrate their individuality and own their shapes.
My Right to Wear by Urbanic
Urbanic’s campaign features women of different body types and sizes, all confidently wearing fashionable clothing.
The message is that women should have the right to wear whatever they want, regardless of their body size or shape.
The campaign aims to promote body positivity and challenge the idea that only thin women can be fashionable.
Themes for Body Positivity Ads
With the rise of social media and the fashion industry, body positivity ads have become increasingly popular and are helping to challenge unrealistic beauty standards.
In this table, we explore different themes for body-positive ads and provide examples for each theme.
| Themes for Body Positive Ads | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Embracing Diversity | Celebrate the beauty of all body types, sizes, races, genders, and abilities. | A body wash commercial featuring models with diverse skin colors and body types. |
| Self-Love | Encourage viewers to love and accept themselves as they are, promoting self-esteem and self-worth. | A makeup brand ad promoting confidence and self-love by showing people of different ages, skin colors, and backgrounds applying makeup. |
| Body Neutrality | Shift the focus from appearance to what our bodies are capable of, and promote body acceptance as a form of self-care. | A sports brand ad featuring athletes of all shapes and sizes and emphasizing the importance of body acceptance in achieving athletic goals. |
| Real Beauty | Challenge unrealistic beauty standards and redefine what it means to be beautiful. | A beauty brand ad featuring models with stretch marks, scars, and other imperfections. |
| Health at Every Size | Promote health and wellness regardless of body size, and combat weight stigma. | A health and wellness ad promoting body neutrality by focusing on the benefits of exercise and healthy eating rather than weight loss. |
| Size-Inclusivity | Feature clothing for all body types and sizes and celebrate the beauty of everybody. | A swimwear ad showcasing models of different sizes and shapes enjoying the beach and promoting body positivity. |
Of course, these themes can overlap and intersect, and many different approaches exist to create body positivity ads.
The most important thing is avoiding harmful stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, diversity, and self-love.
Importance of Body-Positive Ads
As a model and body positivity advocate, I believe body-positive ads are crucial in promoting self-love and acceptance.
These ads help to counteract the negative impact that traditional beauty standards have on our self-esteem and body image.
Boosting Self-Esteem
Seeing people who look like we are represented positively in the media helps us feel seen and valued.
This can be especially important for people who have been marginalized or excluded from mainstream beauty standards.
Furthermore, body-positive ads challenge the idea that there’s only one “ideal” body type.
When we see a variety of bodies represented as beautiful and worthy, it helps us recognize that our bodies are also beautiful and worthy, regardless of how closely they conform to traditional beauty standards.
Promoting Inclusivity
Body-positive ads promote inclusivity by showing that all bodies deserve love and respect.
By including people of different races, sizes, genders, and abilities in their ads, companies can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all consumers.
Moreover, body-positive ads can help to break down harmful stereotypes and stigmas surrounding certain body types.
For example, ads featuring plus-size models can help to challenge the stereotype that all larger bodies are unhealthy or unattractive.
This can help to create a more accepting and supportive society for people of all sizes. By showing various bodies represented positively in the media, we can help create a more accepting and supportive society.
Wrapping Up
Body positivity ads have come a long way in recent years, and it’s exciting to see brands embracing inclusivity and diversity in their marketing campaigns.
Seeing people of all shapes, sizes, and colors represented in advertising can help to break down harmful beauty standards and promote a more inclusive and accepting culture.
From Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign to Aerie’s unretouched photos, plenty of examples of brands are leading the way in body positivity advertising.
By featuring diverse models and celebrating all body types, body-positive ads can help promote a more accepting and inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
So let’s continue pushing for greater inclusivity in advertising and celebrating all bodies’ beauty. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels confident, empowered, and beautiful.
Resources
Studies:
- “Body Image and Health: Contemporary Perspectives”: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1359105306065013?icid=int.sj-abstract.similar-articles.1
- “Imagery versus captions: The effect of body-positive Instagram content on young women’s mood and body image”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36563473/
Organizations:
- The Body Positive: https://www.thebodypositive.org/
- Be Real Campaign: https://www.berealcampaign.co.uk/
Books:
- “Body Positive Power: Because Life is Already Happening and You Don’t Need Flat Abs to Live It” by Megan Jayne Crabbe
- “The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women” by Naomi Wolf
Website:
- Refinery29’s “Take Back the Beach” Campaign: https://www.refinery29.com/take-back-the-beach
- Adios Barbie: https://www.adiosbarbie.com/
