Your voice: End vanity sizing on Taobao; beauty of volunteering at Bristol Pride (letters)

As an avid online shopper, I have noticed a disturbing trend in how Chinese shopping platforms such as Taobao, Tmall and JD perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards.

Many of the clothes sold on these sites are in very small sizes. Though some Asians may have a more petite build, it’s not true for everyone. And the vanity sizing – when clothes are labelled with smaller sizes than the item’s actual cut – is extreme.

I find myself fitting XXXL on these platforms, which is equivalent to medium or large sizes in international brands. Sometimes the extra “extras” lead to insecurities about body size.

As these online stores rise in popularity for providing an affordable array of fashion and beauty options, this, unfortunately, hurts youth who fall prey to these harmful beauty standards.

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In China, there has been an increasingly popular phrase, “以瘦为美”, which translates to “slimness is beauty”. Comparing one’s waist size with an A4 sheet of paper was an infamous challenge that recently trended on mainland social media. The emphasis on this can lead to eating disorders and body image disorders among young women.

According to the Institute of Mental Health Castle Peak Hospital, about one in 200 school girls suffer from anorexia nervosa, meaning they keep their weight as low as possible by not eating enough food. They often have a distorted image of their bodies, which is only worsened if society does not change its vanity sizing and harmful beauty standards.

With vanity sizing, plus-size individuals are the ones who have the greatest challenge to find clothing that fits, and this sends the message that they are not “regular” when it’s the extreme, inaccurate sizing that is the problem.

Online retailers have a responsibility to create clothes that fit a wide range of bodies. Education is also crucial in promoting healthy body image and dispelling misconceptions. We should empower consumers to make informed decisions about where they shop and how to find clothes for their body type.

Together, we can promote diversity and inclusivity in beauty.

We should not be afraid of our body’s size. The problem lies with society, not with us. We must challenge the prevailing norms and strive for a society where every body is valued and embraced.

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Charlie Jackson, Sha Tin College

The concept of Pride Month in the United States began after the Stonewall riots in 1969.

Soon, other nations also began to observe June as a month to celebrate LGBTQ+ people and fight for their rights. The United Kingdom had its first Pride Parade in London in July 1972. Hong Kong’s first gay parade took place in October 2004.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend one of the largest Pride events in the UK: Bristol Pride. The annual celebration brings the community together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

I was fortunate enough to be a social media volunteer for the charity and had an inside look at the event. Throughout the afternoon, I captured different moments on my camera and noticed the diversity of generations in attendance. It was amazing to see everyone come together to support the same cause.

The event had multiple stages for various performances. American singer-songwriter Jake Shears headlined the main stage, along with Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia. The Bristol Pride Cabaret Stage attracted some of the world’s best performers, including stars from the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

There were also dedicated areas, such as the Family Area, Youth Area, and the Diverse Sensory Calm Space, which made the event inclusive for everyone. The Diverse Sensory Calm Space was meant to be a quiet, relaxing area for neurodiverse people who may feel overwhelmed by the noise, lights and crowds.

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I also loved that catering at the event was sustainable as the organisers banned the sale of plastic water bottles and ensured that all food and drinks were sold in either wood or paper packaging.

Overall, my experience as a volunteer was amazing. I never thought that it would have such an impact on me to see so many people work as a team to make a difference.

Would I volunteer again? Absolutely!

Vaibhavi Palshetkar, Island School

“Grow up and stop watching cartoons.”

Have you ever heard that before? Even the Oscars last year faced backlash after presenters kept emphasising how animated films were only for kids, while adults just had to endure them. Many animators were angry at how their work was disrespected.

But where does this perception come from?

From Walt Disney’s first groundbreaking films to modern cartoon movies, many have children as their target demographic. But that doesn’t mean this art form can’t be used to tell mature and complex stories for adults to enjoy.

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Animation is art, and art can’t be so easily replaced. Just look at live-action versions of Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. No amount of computer-generated imagery (CGI) can make up for the detail and artistic freedom that animation allows.

Animation is not “just for kids”. More people should check out Studio Ghibli’s films, known for appealing to childlike wonder while probing hefty themes such as climate change, war and trauma. Even 2021’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines tackles coming-of-age and familial bonds that will resonate with people of all generations.

If we can move past our prejudices and misconceptions, we can enjoy a greater variety of media.