Wide hips and tiny waist are a hot trend on Instagram. But are we spreading body positivity or doing the opposite?

The struggle is real – women with wide hips dream of being able to wear skinny jeans and not being an object of various comments. However, ladies with narrow or boyish hips seem to want what they don't have. Despite all the body positivity campaigns, women are just as insecure as they were when the supermodels ruled the world.

Wide hips: expectation vs. reality

Tiny waist and wide hips are a winning combination, according to many famous Instagrammers. Men accepted it as the new norm, but not many seem to stop and think about the message this newish trend sends to younger ladies.

In a world of Photoshop and filters, Instagram is now as dangerous as magazines and runways were in the 90s. Behind the whole slogan of body positivity lies a simple fact that you can't pick your body, and you're a woman, with wide or narrow hips. More than that, you're a lovely, unique creature with much more than just a perfect ratio between your behind and your waist.

The sad reality is that many women are trying to make their hips wider by putting their health at risk. Similarly, women with broad hips want to appear more attractive by wearing Spanx or pushing starving themselves. We, as a society, aren't allowing ladies to think about their health, careers, all the good things they already have. Because we're pushing them to be someone's fantasies, whether they like it or not.

The myth about wide hips

There's a myth, rather sexist that there's such thing as childbearing hips. Yes, the wider the hips, the more kids a woman can have. Not only that, but the same woman will also give birth with no issues, so it's like your body shape is turning you into the baby-making machine.

Again, the reality is different, because various factors affect labor, and none of them are directly connected to the way we look. Furthermore, giving birth is a small step, since it's all about raising the child properly. And every mother knows that there's nothing even remotely crucial as knowing your child is healthy and happy.

Wider hips were huge (pun intended) in the renaissance era, but what we see in those paintings is much more realistic than any Instagram post. Women of all ages have tummies, and our breasts aren't always firm and perky. Calling a certain body shape feminine only feeds the misogyny and age-old sexism, something that should be long gone.

Bikini body and other illusions

From eating disorders to body dysmorphia, we're facing the grand illusion that only women of certain sizes can wear a bikini. Our judgment is clouded because we want to look good. However, looking and feeling good is not connected, yet, more women make a choice to be skinny and miserable.

Bikini body is another Instagram hashtag that almost exclusively women use if they are between sizes zero to four. However, an average woman is closer to size 16, so there you have it. If you're not skinny, you can't go to the beach. The unfortunate part is that ladies don't have so many issues with men, as they do with their own gender.

No one is saying that obesity is a way to go. In fact, celebrating someone's body is superficial and undermining to every person. Wide hips, small breasts, it's all part of you, and rest is an illusion. Accepting yourself, and not giving the outside world so much power is a difficult task, but it's not something we should leave as our legacy.

Choose to be healthy and fit

Some girls are naturally skinny, others have bellies, but what truly matters is health and happiness. You won't find a single senior lady regretting she didn't lose weight. Or even funnier: you can't find a mature woman complaining about the wide hips or being proud of her perky breasts. They will, however, tell you to keep your body healthy, because you'll need it for the rest of your life.

If you want to step out of the pressure and negativity surrounding body image, start working out. It's something that you can control, and exercising will quiet your mind. Though we often say we don't have the time, even a light workout will do wonders for your sense of self and perception.

In the meantime, until you gain enough confidence, you can use your clothes to accent or hide your wide hips.

Styling tips for wide hips

Pear-shaped ladies know that finding a perfect dress looks like mission impossible. Either it's too tight in the hip area or too big around the chest. But, luckily, certain styles will make you look more feminine until you learn to love your curvy body.

Wrap dresses will accent your cleavage while hiding the behind area. You should choose firmer fabrics to get that hourglass effect. And if you're more of jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, you can pick flare or skinny jeans, and flaunt your assets. But, to make everything look more harmonious, pair them with flowy, V-neck tops or poplin shirts. Basically, you're giving your upper body a bit of volume, while your hips are safe in a pair of high waist jeans.

When your hips are wider, avoid pleated skirts, and embrace your body with pencil skirts. Even a plain tee and a denim mini will look much better if you add a statement necklace. Maybe a pair of chunky heels or platforms will work too.

Tips for women with narrow hips

Now, if you have that so-called boyish figure, or broad shoulders, of course, you want to make it more feminine. Though being a woman, you're feminine enough, there are always tips and tricks to make you feel more comfortable in your skin.

The good news is that your body shape allows you to wear most of the hottest trends in fashion. From slouchy and mom jeans, to the whole 80s Lady Diana-inspired dresses, this is your time to experiment and find what feels like a second skin to you.

Accent your waist with belts, and feel free to accessorize, to create a more sensual, sexier silhouette. But, no matter what you wear, you can't be happy until you accept yourself fully.

My hips don't lie

Behind the story of wide hips and body positivity lies a much bigger one. It's a story about objectifying women, and proof that we still don't know how to be equals.

There's no doubt that it would be easier to place blame on men. But, women are just as responsible for our body image issues. So, the real question is, when will we stop competing with each other? Or even better, why do we allow so much sexism when our own grandmothers had a better idea of what it feels to be equal?