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Detailed Description of Advertisement
The advertisement displayed above, was created by Victoria’s Secret which is a very
popular women’s lingerie and undergarment store. This campaign was titled “The Perfect Body”,
which consisted of 10 women who were tall, and slender, and all wore lingerie that represented
Victoria’s Secret products. The models were in a straight line and demonstrated a lot of
confidence in their smiles and attitude.
Critical Thinking Questions
Who is the intended audience for this advertisement? What age group? Male or female?
The intended audience for this advertisement is mostly directed to women who are
interested in fashion and beauty. The age group that it’s targeted is women and young girls, most
likely ranging from late teens to late twenties.
What subliminal and/or overt messages does this advertisement send?
There is a subliminal message of confidence displayed through the poses and facial
expressions of the models. The overt message is the promotion and idealized standard of beauty,
which is characterized by the tall and slender models. The title of the campaign is “The Perfect
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Body” which suggests that the bodies of the models are the definition of perfection.
How would this ad be interpreted differently by each gender?
A woman can interpret this ad as empowering and/or pressuring. Seeing the confidence
and happiness displayed by the models can be interpreted as inspiring, leading this group of
people to want to embrace their bodies with the confidence these models do. At the same time,
this ad can induce a lot of pressure on women. Being face to face with this narrow standard of
beauty can lead them to compare themselves to the models and feel that they may not meet this
standard and begin feeling dissatisfied with their bodies.
On the other hand, a man can appreciate the campaign as it is appealing to their eyes,
especially as they are not affected personally by this idea of beauty. It may influence them into
thinking this is what is considered desirable and or attractive.
Do you think this ad is inaccurate in its portrayal of body image? If so, in what ways? If
not, explain why.
I do think that this advertisement portrays an inaccurate idea of body image because it
exclusively features tall and slender models, excluding people with different body types. This ad
creates an inaccurate view of this body type as “perfect,” which makes the intended audience feel
unworthy if they do not meet this specific standard and may hurt their mental health by
endorsing unachievable beauty standards.
Why do you think this ad and its product may be appealing to adolescents?
This ad and its product hold appeal for adolescents due to their alignment with the
standard of beauty society has established, which influences adolescents to try and achieve that
image and win the approval of society. Adolescents are prone to wanting to be more like adults,
therefore the campaign’s image of a luxurious, glamorous lifestyle linked to beauty and elegance
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may appeal to them.
Why do you think the marketers chose to use this specific content and imagery?
I believe that the marketers chose to use this specific content and imagery because they
probably wanted to generate an aspirational appeal by featuring tall, slender models that
demonstrate confidence and glamorous, therefore attracting an audience that aspires to the
brand’s lifestyle and looks.
List of Resources
Body image is such a big factor in adolescents, but it becomes more critical during
puberty, this is a period where adolescents are experiencing more body dissatisfaction (Santrock,
(2023). Body image is the perception of one’s physical appearance, and is a complex idea
formed by several factors that affect how people view and feel about their bodies. In the bible,
we can find multiple verses that touch the topic of body image, for example, 1 Corinthians 6:19-
20 (NIV) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples=of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own;=you were bought at a
price.=Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” We must remember that to honor God with our
bodies, we need to see ourselves through God’s eyes and not the world.
1. Bible Gateway. Peter 3:3-4 (2011). (New International Version).
- This verse addresses the topic of inner beauty, character, and spiritual growth.
This passage is useful in giving the reader a deeper understanding of the concept
of beauty and self-worth.
2. Eating disorder hotlines for 24/7 crisis help: Neda alternatives. Eating Disorder
Hope. (2024, January 17). https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-
disorders/eating-disorder-hotlines
- NEDA is helpful for people who are struggling with eating disorders or in
dangerous situations because of their eating habits. The list includes a variety of
hotlines that provide those in need with immediate help, direction, and resources.
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3. Wilhelm, S. (2006).=Feeling good about the way you look: A program for
overcoming body image problems. Guilford Press.
- This book is a helpful resource for people who are having issues with their body
image. The book offers an organized and thorough strategy for dealing with body
image.
4. Bradbury, Z. (2022, January 31). Reducing body dissatisfaction amongst teens: How
parents can help. Butterfly Foundation. https://butterfly.org.au/reducing-body-
dissatisfaction-amongst-teens-how-parents-can-help/
- This resource provides parents with insightful advice on how to handle the topic
of body image and how it affects adolescents. The article covers important
concepts such as mental health, offering parents tips to help their teenagers form
a positive body image.
5. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Reducing social media use significantly
improves body image in teens, young adults. American Psychological Association.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/02/social-media-body-image
- This resource highlights the correlations between adolescents’ and young adults’
social media use and their body image. The article presents research results
showing a clear relationship between improvements in body image and a
decrease in social media use.
6. John W. Santrock (2023). Page 56. Adolescence (8th edition). McGraw Hill.
- This textbook offers an in-depth overview of the physical, cognitive, emotional,
and social changes that occur during adolescence. The author explores the
psychological and social aspects of body image, such as peer pressure, media
influences, self-esteem, and cultural norms.
7. Long, B. C. (Ed.). (2023, June). Body image and self-esteem (for teens) | nemours
kidshealth. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/body-image.html
- This resource offers important information regarding body image during
adolescence, making it beneficial for both parents and teenagers. It dives into the
definition of body image and self-esteem, what factors impact body image, and
techniques to help develop a healthy body image and self-esteem.
