Boobquake: Was the Lane Bryant Ad too Sexy?

Let's be real. Sex sells. Craig's List, Eliot Spitzer, Victoria's Secret, and now Lane Bryant.

Craig's List is making big bucks off prostitution. Eliot Spitzer is a sexy subject for a movie and two new tell-all books because he bought what Craig's List is selling. Vicky's secret? Objectifying women, promoting unhealthy body images and selling sex to 'Tweens. Now, Lane Bryant has jumped into bed with their Cacique brand of lingerie.

When we read that ABC and Fox rejected a Lane Bryant ad featuring a model in her underwear as being inappropriate for their 8:00 PM time slot we were surprised. Could their business be that robust? An outcry has ensued. Lane Bryant accusing the networks of discrimination against plus sized models and the networks accusing Lane Bryant of a publicity stunt.

The "Culture Warriors" on The O'Reilly Factor speculated the networks could be in a twit because "with plus size models you're going to get more cleavage." (Hello, there are plenty of very thin women with lots of cleavage.) But, if true, then the networks (and probably the country) need to be run by adults and not fourteen year old boys freaking out about seeing too much boob at 8:00 PM on television.

We're wondering, though, if it's possible that a gorgeous model with luscious angles is 'sexier' than a clothes hanger wearing clothes? Maybe Lane Bryant, the plus sized clothing company, did a better job selling the promise of seduction than their once sister company Victoria's Secret (both were owned by the Limited) .

We're usually first in line calling out the fashion industry on the destructive nature of portraying underweight and airbrushed models. Our articles "The Velveteen Revolution" and "Love Your Body" call on the garment business and the entertainment industry to portray all body types as gorgeous and sexy.

So, whether they were censored or not, we say bravo to Lane Bryant. They created a warm, musky, suggestive ad with a woman who looked like a woman and not a little girl --or little boy, for that matter.

One last thought: Ladies watch the Lane Bryant ad and let us know if you feel like it's talking to you rather than some schmuck with a six pack in his hand (we won't speculate about the activities of the other hand) watching women parading around jet planes, cars and each other.

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Comments

[Jo Kurrent]

05:55 PM on 05/17/2010

After watching that ad, there's no reason that it shouldn't have run in prime time other than simple prudishness. The model was beautiful, there were no lingering camera shots of cleavage or other sensitive areas, and it was well-done and much better than many movie promos in terms of not being trashy. Bad call on Fox and ABC's part.

[Beatnik61]

04:13 PM on 05/07/2010

Um, it's a LINGERIE COMMERCIAL, folks. Does anyone think women buy lingerie for something other than to feel or be sexy or to please their partners? Really? Please!
Too much cleavage??? Since when has that ever been a problem for the majority of male viewers, or the skinny-assed models who get boob jobs and then end up looking like you could tip them over like sleeping cows? It's interesting to me how the blatant crassness about sex and objectification of women that is so prevalent in our culture is so often acceptable, but the minute we see something that comes anywhere close to tasteful expression of the very natural fact of human sensuality, it is suddenly deemed offensive. What does that say about what we are more comfortable with here? That bothers me more than anything.

[ruchild]

04:50 PM on 05/03/2010

The commercial was great, not distasteful or disrespectful at all. The VS ads by comparison are scrawny women in too small bras for their size practically writhing into the camera, nothing realistic about that. Oh, I wonder if catalogs mailed to men and women still have different pricing? Seriously, was told to me by an employee at VS for bargains.... and we know who their market target is.

[lovemyluggage]

10:25 PM on 05/01/2010

If anything, I thought that commercial was sweet and gentle. Compared to the aggressively sexual Victoria's Secret adverts, it was downright subdued! Additionally, there was a bra I'd like in that commercial. Wonder if it comes in my size?

(And here, I'd just about given up on Lane Bryant.)

[bruinlover09]

10:44 PM on 05/08/2010

I agree. I love the commercial and it made me think that it was possible to be sexy and beautiful and not be a size 4 or less.

[Ramirez]

09:19 PM on 04/29/2010

The ad was pitch perfect and the model was smoking hot.

[crystallyn14]

07:41 PM on 04/29/2010

Beyond the discrimination, the networks were just plain stupid. LB has had SO much free advertising that they were once happily willing to pay to Fox and ABC. So what did they get instead of a sexy ad? Loss of revenue and a whole ton of negative publicity. FAIL.

[Atchka]

11:35 AM on 04/29/2010

You are so very, very, very, very wrong.

I take great exception with this: "But, if true, then the networks (and probably the country) need to be run by adults and not fourteen year old boys freaking out about seeing too much boob at 8:00 PM on television."

Speaking as a former 14-year-old boy, I can tell you that this contingency is not freaking out about seeing too much boob on TV. If anything, this ad was enthusiastically welcomed by the 14-year-old boy demographic.

As well as the 31-year-old man, demographic, as I can attest to.

Peace,
Shannon
Atchka.com
FierceFatties.com

[feyangel]

12:19 AM on 04/29/2010

The ad was great-- very tasteful-- and the woman in it was beautiful!

[clu60]

12:32 PM on 04/28/2010

I love this ad! I have worked in radio advertising for over 32 years and am glad to see that some in the advertising business are starting see that there are beautiful women (and men) in all shapes and types. It will take a very long time to see major changes. Society has been brainwashed for too long to see immediate changes in what we will see and hear. Shame on ABC and FOX for not being leaders instead of cowards. I hope they receive an avalanche of negative comments from the public. I, for one, will be leaving a message.

[copelli21]

10:49 AM on 04/28/2010

Wow, have these guys seen those Victoria Secret bra commercials?! There are big boobs practically pressed up against the tv screen.

This decision to not show the LB ad is shady at best.

[happygoluckie]

08:01 AM on 04/28/2010

Love this! You've hit the nail on the head: "The networks (and probably the country) need to be run by adults and not fourteen year old boys freaking out about seeing too much boob at 8:00 PM on television."

[RJHF]

09:50 AM on 04/28/2010

Yes and people who don't want to limit other people's rights!

[Yvette J]

09:33 PM on 04/27/2010

The model and ad are both beautiful and real. Society is in an uproar over nothing as usual. For those of us that the ad is aimed toward (plus size women who would actually purchase and use their products, and our loved ones who would purchase the products for us.) the ad did it's job by reminding us that sexy and appealing lingerie is available in our size, and just because we're plus size doesn't mean we have to walk around in "over the shoulder boulder holders" and matching "granny panties" of yesteryear. Funny thing is Lane Bryant has been selling this for years, they're just now marketing it on the heels of ads like Dove's real women campaign. It's my opinion that overall society is upset because they're confused...how can something they've been programmed to believe is not attractive i.e. a plus size woman, be so attractive? They fear what they do not understand lol

[Mary Diamond]

06:40 PM on 04/27/2010

I think that model is gorgeous. There are a lot more suggestive ads on TV these days, it's about on par with Victoria's Secret. It *does* sort of cross a boundary with her leaving the house in lingerie and an overcoat, though. Maybe that's what they're taking issue with. I wouldn't make my kids leave the room or anything.

[J Jill]

06:39 PM on 04/27/2010

So right. The ad was sensuous and directed at women, not men and what women think men want.