British author, feminist and broadcaster Caitlin Moran has written a touching message to teenage girls everywhere, and revealed the two words about their looks that they should relish.
As The Times columnist writes, her 15-year-old daughter is currently experimenting with fashion, and is full of the tell-tale signs of teenage insecurity, regularly asking for her mum’s advice on how she looks.
And while most teenagers want to be told they look trendy, edgy, totally ‘on fleek,’ Moran takes umbridge with this idea.
In an attempt to compliment her daughter’s outfit (mum jeans, brogues and a shirt printed with space ships), Caitlin disappointed her teen by telling her she looked comfortable, just a day after she called her other daughter’s look ‘jolly.’
“Lovely girls, let me tell you why I will never call you ‘hot’, ‘on fleek’ or ‘bang on trend,” writes Moran.
When it comes to your teen, happiness should be the aim
Being a woman, she explains, is not an inherently comfortable experience.
“Nature has strapped two wibbly wobbly hassle magnets (your breasts) and inserted some mad blood cupboard in thrall to the Moon, which explodes every 30 days or so,” she writes.
In addition, the fashion industry has dreamt up further layers of torture in the form of thongs, waist trainers, high heels, bodycon dresses, spanx, etc.
But by contrast, saying that a girl looks ‘comfortable’ or ‘jolly,’ proves she’s choosing happiness and confidence over the Hollywood ideal.
“Comfort shows you at your best,” she writes. “Jolly shows you’re choosing happiness as the main thing you project. It shows how clever you are, beautiful young girl.”
