22:36 GMT, 24 May 2012 By Olivia Fleming
Real women have posted images of themselves in their swimwear for a 'fatkini' gallery as a retaliation against society's
obsession with super-slim summer bodies.
In an age where Victoria's Secret models are viewed as an ideal, 31 women sent in their images to prove otherwise.
Gabi Gregg, a writer for xojane.com, posted a request for the images, to inspire women with similar bodies as her own
(a U.S. size 18) to feel good about wearing a bikini.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00005-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00005-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The bikini has come to inspire both dread and awe as our culture increasingly enshrines physical perfection through
magazine features that encourage women to be bikini-ready for summer, and the constant trolling of other women
by women.
Rather than being a statement about health, which it could have easily turned into, the gallery appears to be an
endorsement of diversity, and an statement that no one particular size or shape of woman has a monopoly on being
considered attractive or even ‘normal’.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00006-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00006-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00007-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00007-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The women featured in the gallery look vibrant and confident, regardless of their body-shapes or sizes.
While the writer and fashion blogger has received a wave of support from readers who applaud her confidence, some
have been quick to judge.
There have been comments that Ms Gregg isn't 'flabby' enough to be self-conscious, and her 'toned, hourglass-shaped'
body makes it easier for her to put a picture of herself online.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00008-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00008-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00009-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00009-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Real women have posted images of themselves in their swimwear for a 'fatkini' gallery as a retaliation against society's
obsession with super-slim summer bodies.
In an age where Victoria's Secret models are viewed as an ideal, 31 women sent in their images to prove otherwise.
Gabi Gregg, a writer for xojane.com, posted a request for the images, to inspire women with similar bodies as her own
(a U.S. size 18) to feel good about wearing a bikini.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00005-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00005-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The bikini has come to inspire both dread and awe as our culture increasingly enshrines physical perfection through
magazine features that encourage women to be bikini-ready for summer, and the constant trolling of other women
by women.
Rather than being a statement about health, which it could have easily turned into, the gallery appears to be an
endorsement of diversity, and an statement that no one particular size or shape of woman has a monopoly on being
considered attractive or even ‘normal’.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00006-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00006-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00007-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00007-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The women featured in the gallery look vibrant and confident, regardless of their body-shapes or sizes.
While the writer and fashion blogger has received a wave of support from readers who applaud her confidence, some
have been quick to judge.
There have been comments that Ms Gregg isn't 'flabby' enough to be self-conscious, and her 'toned, hourglass-shaped'
body makes it easier for her to put a picture of herself online.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00008-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00008-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=frm00009-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/frm00009-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
