A so-called “fashion trend” famed for showing off the physique of the female genitalia has sparked anger among women.
The “camel toe” has reportedly made a major comeback, this time with a modern new name after being dubbed “crotch cleavage” by Gen Z.
While both are slang words, the term “camel toe” is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as an effect created by clothing that fits tightly around a woman’s groin, drawing attention to the shape of her external genitals.
The earliest known use of the noun camel toe was in the 1980s, but it was popularized in the early noughties by the “Camel Toe Annie” skit on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, according to Jezebel.
Despite showing a woman’s natural shape, having a camel toe was far from celebrated, in fact one Australian publication recently described it “as humiliating as walking out of the public bathroom with your dress tucked inside your underwear”.
It’s this negative sentiment, and the recent resurgence of the “revealing fashion trend”, that has sparked calls from women for the camel toe to be “reclaimed”.
A recent report from the Fashion Journal argues that far from being “vulgar” and “repulsive,” a camel toe should be considered a positive female attribute.
“High-waisted jeans, leggings and bike shorts are all major culprits and labia-hugging bottoms. It’s scrutinised and looked upon with disgust. But shouldn’t a camel toe be cute?” Hannah Cole wrote for the publication.
“Subliminally (or not so in some cases), our aversion to the camel toe sends a harmful message: that it’s shameful to have a vagina or hint at its existence in any way.
“Life’s too short to stop wearing those tight leather pants, pastel leggings or killer jeans just because they ride up a little too high around your labia.”
Many have since echoed Cole’s message, pleading for an end to the unsavory language used to describe women’s bodies.
“It has always struck me as strange that Australian women are so uneasy about their bodies despite the beach culture. We all know what bodies look like right?” one wrote on Instagram.
“People who complain about camel toes are probably the same that feel compelled to point out when your nipples show through your shirt,” another agreed.
Others also took aim at describing female anatomy as a “trend,” calling out the fashion industry for peddling a “damaging” message.
“The fashion industry really doesn’t like women much. So many unflattering trends, uncomfortable clothing and the most torturous part, inconsistent sizing,” one shared.
“Women’s ‼️ bodies ‼️ are ‼️ not ‼️ fashion ‼️ trends,” declared another.
While another raged: “Proof the fashion industry has lost the plot.”
Considering actual fashion trends, such as bike shorts and skin-tight leggings have been booming in popularity for the past few years, it seems women have no issue with the shape of their bodies.
One commenter summed it up, writing: “The only people who have a problem with our coochies are men.”
