First, there was the “thigh gap,” and soon after came “hot dog legs” along with many other body trends throughout 2015 that monopolized the internet. Now, we have a new trendy body part for Fall 2015: the “thighbrow.”

Thighbrows are “the crescent-shaped fold of flesh that happens between the thigh and torso when the leg is bent forward at the hip joint, appearing in photographs to look like eyebrows.” Celebrities including Beyonce and Kylie Jenner can be seen donning this body part all over Instagram.

And you may be wondering, “Why the hell are we talking about thighbrows? Hello, it’s fall.” Well, reader, the return of the high cut leotard has sparked this interest in such a body part. (Thanks Pamela Anderson).

Several argue this trend is body positive, as it embraces curvy girls for their body types.

There are plenty of articles that claim this trend is encouraging women that the natural fold that occurs near your upper thighs is nothing to be ashamed of. USA Today writes, “There’s a new trend in town that embraces those of us who don’t have a model-esque figure. Say hello to the #thighbrow!” Similarly, Huffington Post goes on to explain the positives of the trend, stating, “Unlike the ridiculous thigh gap trend that sparked outrage from body image campaigners everywhere, thighbrows are something we can totally get on board with. Why? Because for once in probably forever, it doesn’t appear to be damaging to women’s self esteem or bad for health.”

However, I’m not too sure this new trend truly embraces body positivity. After all, my body isn’t something that will transform for others so that I can stay “on trend.”

Because while many seem to think the thighbrow trend is a step in the right direction for body image, by focusing exclusively on one body part that some may or may not have, we are never truly recognizing all women’s bodies.
Being bombarded with images of celebrities being celebrated for tagging their pictures with #thighbrow on Instagram sends a dangerous message to millions of girls that strive to look like them.

Brown University notes the “frequency with which we compare ourselves to others” as one of the main factors that effects body image. Around 43,000 students attend University of Illinois, walk the streets and notice others.

This campus is a prime environment for judgments and comparisons to take place. It isn’t a shock that college students are overwhelmingly concerned with their physical appearances when they are around so many people all the time.
This trend is just another case of women comparing their bodies to one another, purely focusing on a specific body part to perfect, rather than celebrating our bodies for how they already are — thighbrows or no thighbrows.

Tim Chia, a sophomore in Engineering, acknowledges the harm that can come from body trends such as the thighbrow.
“The existence of any kind of trend in women’s bodies will always lead to a woman who can’t achieve the trend … and that makes them feel less valuable,” Chia states.
Every person has a different body type with different features; not every girl can look like the next trend. A girl with a thinner body should not be told to gain weight, and neither should a more curvy girl be told she needs to lose weight. In either case, women should not be subjected to changing their natural body types to fit the standards that cover our media.

In reality, there is no such thing as a body positive trend; women’s bodies should not be denoted to what is trendy.

Whether you have thighbrows, a thigh gap, both, neither or anything in between, you should celebrate your body for the way it naturally is. In this day and age, women are more than a culmination of our physical attributes.

So, Internet, nice try with the thighbrow, but you clearly failed. Maybe next time, you can find a way to acknowledge us all.

Leah is a freshman in Media.

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