This is a story about a woman named Victoria. Victoria has a secret. Actually she has a lot of secrets and I’m not a fan of any of them.
Victoria likes to get together with all of her friends and have sleepovers. And during their sleepovers, they wear naughty nighties and have pillow fights. Because that’s what girls do when they have sleepovers, right? Ask any man and he’ll tell you that’s what they think we do during sleepovers once we’re past the age of 16. (And if you ask your SO and he tells you otherwise, he’s lying.)
Victoria also likes to sashay thru her million dollar house wearing satin, faux fur and kitten heels with super glossy lips. She drinks a lot of champagne but in her defense, she eats a lot of fruit like grapes and strawberries. If she’s feeling really frisky, she’ll dip it in chocolate or whipped cream.
I’m fine with those secrets. The secret that I don’t like is that Victoria is coming after my daughters. And yours. And your sons.
I’ve never had success shopping at Victoria’s Secret. My “girls” have always exceeded their offerings. I can take one look at those teeny, lacy straps and know I’ll get more support from rubber bands. I’ve also never understood why anyone above a C cup needs padding. Push up? Sure. Sexy. Hot. The man loves it. Padding? Only if I’m planning on going overboard on the 3 hour tour. So I stopped shopping there. At that time, the frolicking maidens didn’t bother me that much – I could ignore them as I searched for a bra or merry widow that would fit my size 12 body.
But then, I had a daughter. Not just when I had a daughter but when said daughter turned 13 and “discovered” Victoria and her PINK! secrets.
All of a sudden, I had a HUGE problem with Vicki and her secrets.
Suddenly, her perky breasts were suffocating me as I walked thru the mall with my teen. My teen who was being pulled in by the glitter, sequins, yoga pants and Flash Dance sweatshirts.
Yoga pants?
Yes. That’s how the corporate marketing team at Victoria’s Secret is building future brand loyalty. With their Pink line. The Pink line was created for the 18 and under crowd and in all honesty, isn’t that bad. Pretty mild stuff – work out gear, pajamas, cotton underwear. I wouldn’t have as big of an issue with it if it weren’t sold IN Victoria’s Secret – I could probably deal with letting my teen shop the Pink line. But my issue is that we have to stand in the same line as everyone else to pay.. the same line that has the 20 foot posters of Victoria and her Sirens surrounding us. Singing their siren song to lure her to their island of misfit ploys.
Telling my daughter that THIS! This is the look that you want! That THIS! This is the look that the boys want and expect!
If you’re the mom of a son and they happen to see this (how they could miss it is beyond me) – then this is what she’s telling your son that he should expect from his girlfriend. No matter what you do or what you say, mom – this is the message that he’s getting.
And that is the secret that I loathe about Victoria.
You make such a good point. Boys/men see these images and think this is what a girl should look like. I never get anything from Victoria’s Secret except the free panty they give out periodically. I also have daughters, one of whom prefers VS products. They are also very expensive…
Seana Turner recently posted..Turn ONs and Turn OFFs
I don’t agree with them going after teenagers but most of things I see marketed for young teens is too much for me. Maybe I’m just old fashioned. I can understand all the concern though.
Bren recently posted..Time To Get Your Sexy On!
Agreed, Bren.. I’m all for sexuality but can we please move past the message that it’s the only thing that girls are good for?
As much as I am real man and appreciate Vikki & her sirens, I will never forget the first time I saw a Vikki bag being brought into my house by one of my daughters. It was a realization that my girls were no longer babies. Fortunately my daughters appreciated the economics of JCP over the glitter & pushed up glitter of Vikki & her lovely siren’s products.
A question for your readers – does anyone else have the same neck pains that I get as I walk past Vikki’s place? I struggle keeping eye contact with her as my wife yanks on my arm.
I think mine do, too. Well the one.. there’s only one there now. And I won’t put my money down for it.. it’s all up to her. As for the neck pain – probably not too many but at least it tells us that the millions they spend on marketing are effectively reaching their target audience.. 😉

Kristen Daukas recently posted..I Know Your Secret, Victoria and I Don’t Like It
Yikes.yep scary for Moms
Just another lesson added to the already full lesson plan, unfortunately.

Kristen Daukas recently posted..I Know Your Secret, Victoria and I Don’t Like It
I hate Victoria’s not-so-secret secrets too. I do NOT look forward to those days ahead.

Although, I have been looking for the perfect Flashdance sweatshirt.
Elaine Griffin recently posted..Keep Your Sanity while Working at Home with Kids
then you should hit the VS at the mall..Don’t forget your leg warmers and sweat bands…

Kristen Daukas recently posted..I Know Your Secret, Victoria and I Don’t Like It