The Backlash against Sexy Fashion

“Now is not a time to be sexy” – Tom Ford at a recent fashion show featuring his collection

Renewed debate about sexual harassment, mobility, and female representation has taken quite an unexpected turn. One interesting trend in 2018 involved modest fashion, which emerged after London Modest Fashion Week and was widely reported on by authorities the likes of Elle, The New York Times, and Forbes. Is it time to say “no” to sexy fashion?

Donald Trump’s failed presidential opponent, pantsuit fan Hillary, emerged as an icon of modest dress and a symbol of strong women and progressive female power. Yet, the swinging pendulum between modest and body-displaying outfits raises the inevitable question of why women’s bodies should take responsibility for male abuse. The debate is decades old, and no end to it is in sight.

Victoria’s Secret – The First Victim?

The luxurious lingerie brand’s aesthetic is not only quite at odds with the #MeToo movement, but millennials are beginning to show serious opposition to it. The youngest generation is embracing so-called “leisurée”, a type of comfortable, casual, and leisurely undergarments. This style is a far cry from the corseted, sculpted, glittery, and glowing looks of Victoria’s Secret designs.

Plummeting sales are a great indicator of the backlash against sexy lingerie. The company hasn’t reported exact data, but retail analysts have gone so far to say that everything’s over for the label. In 2017, almost 5 million people watched the brand’s annual show; in 2018, their number dropped by 25%.

It looks like modern women don’t want to parade around for men anymore. Today’s fashion is about comfort, casual chic, streetwear. Comfortable lingerie brands like Lively are enjoying skyrocketing turnover. Will the trend be reversed? We hope not, and we also hope the real reason for it is not that women’s bodies are being seen as the cause of male abuse.

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