| THIS IS A READ-ONLY ARCHIVE FROM THE SORABJI.COM MESSAGE BOARDS (1995-2016). |
|---|
The issue at hand is the ideal body type being curvy vs. boyish. The theory proposed was that there is an inverse relationship between how much political power women have at a given time and how curvy (i.e., zaftig) the ideal for feminine beauty is. Check it out -- *Turn of the century -- not much power -- cheesecake photos of the era show lots of curvy girls *'20s and '30s -- women gain the vote -- women bind their breasts and wear drop-waisted dresses to make themselves look straight all the way down '40s -- potential anomaly. You've got women entering the workforce in huge numbers because of WWII, and Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable (luscious both) are pinup queens. *'50s -- women leave the jobs they had during WWII, return to the home, the moms on all the TV shows are all homemakers and such -- Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield (and Betty...what the hell is her last name? Black hair, dutch-boy bangs, whip in hand?) are considered babes, and dresses are cut to tuck in at the waist and then flare at the hips. '60s and '70s -- rise of feminism -- Twiggy and the introduction of short-short miniskirts (need skinny legs) and a-line dresses hiding curves '80s -- can't...think...brain...numbed...by thoughts of...'80s...fashion '90s -- lots and lots of women work, better sexual harrassment laws are enacted -- you get Kate Moss and the waif look So what do you think? Do you see this pattern yourself? What do you think the connection could be between women gaining power and then making themselves look like boys? To make themselves appear less threatening? (Are curvy women threatening?) |
|
|
|
"What do you think the connection could be between women gaining power and then making themselves look like boys?" if they even are related as such, maybe you're putting the cart before the horse. |
As far as power over men, the one thing that I have noticed is this....the more weight I gain, the more I get attention. I mean, it is getting ridiculous. I can't even walk to the pool (not in a bathing suit, but in clothes) without at least two cars stopping. All of the men I know tell me I look hot as hell, but this is the biggest I have ever been and I am really starting to get self conscious of my size. I have to wear a large now. So I guess somehow a big, huge ass, has something to do with power over men, but I am not sure how yet. I just wish they would leave me alone. |
I should also add that obviously, personality traits and intellectual ability can sway any of those preconceived notions quite a bit. Thank whoever for that, because it's what gets me by in my place of employment. |
with each decade or so, its like the pendelum is swining the other way...at least in terms of fashion and appearance. how much of a contribution does the previous trend have in the current? I tend to see things that way as well....action, reaction. |