Right.
I'm sick of magazines presenting anoerexic waifs as the norm. I'm sick of seeing pictures of women who look like sticks, and being told that this is something I should aspire to be. No. Real women have curves. It's feminine and beautiful, and it's something that should be celebrated in the media, not hidden from view.
So. What I suggest is this. We make a thread in which all of us curvaceous women post pictures of ourselves, to present a united front against the media's twisted idea of femininity. I realise that that might sound a bit dodgy, so no underwear pics or anything like that! This thread is purely about boosting the confidence of girls who may be feeling like they're 'fat' when they're really NOT. Because I've just had enough of this garbage. If you want to remain internet anonymous, feel free to cut your head out of the image (as I am) or whatever else you feel is appropriate.
I'll start, shall I?
http://img801.imageshack.us/i/strikeapose.jpg/
(I do have feet really :P)
I'll agree that the media doesn't provide a healthy image to live on, but a lot of the time it's healthier than the alternative. There is a very, very thin line between curvacious and fat and unfortunately crossing that line is very, very easy.
I'm a size 8 but I'm personally by no means waif-like, but neither do I have curves. I'm pretty straight up and down actually, but I've been told I have a fantastic figure. Some of us aren't blessed with big boobs and curvy hips, so it's not really right to diss either one.
Before you start - I know you're getting at overly thin people, I just think it's a little... something something. I should not be awake at 9.30.
>>2- Oh, yes, sorry, you're absolutely right- I didn't mean to get at you or women with similar figures. My wrath is reserved for the media which takes girls with those figures, makes them starve to a size six and then insists that all girls should look like that. I don't think any natural body type is inferior, so sorry if I came across that way- I was just angry. :(
>>3- It's a saying, I didn't mean for people to take it literally! I'd change the title if I could (and edit my first post, hehe). ^^'
I really want this thread to stay positive, so despite my weak original post, I think many of the girls here would appreciate it if we all showed some support in the way I suggested. :)
@Marion
what you should do is to start believing in yourself and stop watching and following the media!
Nobody shoves that image down your throat you have a tv control and you can always turn it off if you don't like what they show.
what is real man and real woman, is in people's personalities, not their looks. Your first post indeed comes out really negatively.
The media will always bombard you with images, and programmes about rising obesity, and how anorexia is killing our young girls and boys.
If you feel comfortable within yourself, this shouldn't affect you, or anger you. Making outlandish statements about how 'real woman have curves' is just pandering to their hysteria.
Woman (and men) all look different, same lumps and bumps, sometimes just bigger/smaller more frequent or in different places.
And by no means am I a size 6, but I study art and fashion and at the end of the day.. the current trends look better on slimmer people.
So, wear beautiful clothes that fit your body shape and dress nicely, wear some good shoes and walk around like a champion. No one will care if you're size 6 or not.
>> 7 You can be comfortable with who you are but sometimes, people just staring at you can get damn annoying and reminds you that you don't really 'fit' in.
I have parents constantly telling me when I gain weight so at length, you just want to make them eat those damn magazine. Actually, WE may not need anyone to tell us to love ourselves but when I hear 15 years old - or their parents - talking about diets... makes me angry. You can believe in yourself and still get angry at that fake image - but again, trying to make people change their mind is an hopeless crusade. Not saying that those girls are not real - well, really... does anyone still think that those pictures are not photoshopped? (Anyone can do it anyway.)
Maybe saying that women CAN have curves would have been more tactful but again, don't like don't read. Reaction is a good thing but no need to go over the top. It's a thread like another.
As for your last point, HoldenCaulfield: Totally! nods
Guys, you're all getting hung up on a figure of speech I've already apologised for. And it's all very well to tell people to believe in themselves/love their bodies as they are, but a lot of younger girls, especially, don't yet have that kind of confidence. I'm angered on THEIR behalf, and they're the ones I created this thread for. Pep-talks can fall on deaf ears, but a picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.
@Marion: I think this thread is quite needless because our opinions should be enough to take account, rather than blatantly showing off images of curvy bodies. Also, will the women reading this thread be willing and confident to actually post themselves on the internet for everyone to see? Your suggestion to do this seems to be based on your anger in the moment. And I don't think this will make much of a difference to what kind of images are shown in magazines of womens' figures as the media does its own thing and has done so for a very long time, and this isn't a widely known site, least likely to fashion/modelists. A group of disgruntled people won't change the way it is easily.
Anyway, all women has curves, only in different degrees. And there are body shapes to consider too (apple, pear, hourglass). The most appealing is obviously the hourglass, but to think that every woman must have this shape is unrealistic and delusional. Every woman comes in different shapes and sizes, and all have their good and bad points. To show off the good points you must choose the right outfit to fit your shape correctly. But you should be happy with what you've got and be confident in your own skin, because it's a part of who you are naturally. That's what makes a 'real' woman to me; someone who loves their bodies for its appeals and flaws, and adapts it to show its potential. Plus, men see women who are confident in their bodies as sexy, whatever their shape or size. Just as long as its not in either of the extremes (obesity or anorexic).
As a last point, most of us who aren't so fooled by the media, or succumb to its subliminal messaging easily, understand that the images blared on the TV, in magazines and other mediums aren't the realistic results we should aim for. Unfortunately, most young girls have these images planted in their minds, and with their self-conscious view of themselves, they then aspire to attain that thin model look because the media tells them that is the desired look. So they all look the same as if they're Barbie dolls stepped hot off the conveyor belt. But we all know that 'real' women vary in a range of looks, colours and shape. To look almost identical to any lady is very creepy, and the media seems to say that women should be of the same 'brand' so to speak, making no room for individuality.
I myself never had such prominent boobs in college which I felt inferior by, seeing other girls growing up 'better' than me. But I'm over that now, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I love my little boobs because they're mine :) In my mind, at least they don't get in the way when I'm playing sports, unlike bigger breasts. From that, it shows that different figures are needed for different lifestyles; so to be the same bodytype isn't very practical either.
Sorry for the long read; I have a lot of thoughts on this.
>>8
You should tell your parents where to stuff their comments, I assume you are still a 'growing girl', your weight will fluctuate, and as long as you're not hitting the 20 stone mark.. well I'm sure you're just fine.
>>10
Your last point is so relevant. Different figures can do different things, but everyone has the ability to be alluring, or sexy.
I don't know. I kind of scapegoat my weight because I hate being a girl in general, and it gives me an excuse to dress like a boy. But I'm not sure :/ Sometimes I want to dress like a girl, and I don't wear clothes if they feel like shit on me. As its been said, women (and men) come in all shapes and sizes. It's called natural selection, and its perfectly healthy. I'm not going to upload a picture but I'm probably an hourglass- big boobs, big hips and a very small waist- but I'm still not happy with it, because its very feminine and I would just generally like to be a boy. People are never happy with what they've got. I went off my point a bit there...
While its wrong to perpetuate the myth that all women should be stick figures as the media so often displays them, I think its just as wrong to suggest that bigger women are superior to them just because they look more realistic. Plus, I totally support the Lib Dem's campaign to ban airbrushing in advertisement.
Just... keep the natural selection theory in mind. If we were all exactly the same shape and size our IQs would go down the toilet and we'd probably be inbred. But I'd still like to get a straight man's opinion on this. Unless its already been given, then I'll shut up xD;
Well, I'll just say that anorexic women aren't attractive at all. My girlfriend isn't a skeleton, but she's by no means fat either. I dunno, speaking as a straight guy I say: Be who you are. Don't mind the media, don't puff your boobs up with rubber, don't fill your lips with cream, don't suck every last gram of fat off your body, and don't bury yourself under a million layers of make-up.
Seriously, guys aren't that shallow, most of them at least. It's way more important to have a personality. There are way too many cardboard cutouts who try to be tough and popular out there, and believe me when I say all those girls will get is some player who just wants to do them.
Bottom line, be yourself, and f**k anyone who tries to make you feel bad about being yourself. That's my opinion, anyway.
>>15: Well said, even though I'm no guy.
>>12: I wouldn't say I have got lovely legs; in fact it is the part I'm most ashamed of. Thank you for the compliment.
I would have loved to be skinnier, but I eat healthy, and such. I walk to my classes on foot every day, even though the distance. I just cannot do more about my figure than now, since I'm burdened with studying.
Being fat isn't necessarily about the media alone. I myself see that life might have been easier with a couple of sizes smaller. I don't fit in everything I want to fit in. Or sometimes I do fit in it, but it looks hideous on me.
I don't like looking at anorexic girls, and think it shouldn't be about the 'thinnest' you can get. I can say from experience, though... it isn't easy to be a fatty.
On your point about clothes, it's all about learning what looks good on you.
I can't wear dresses with any frills or pleats on the front. But I look good in things that synch at the waist.
Always try things on, the amount of times I've opened Grazia and thought 'that looks gorgeous' only to try it on and look like an absolute fool!
Careful people. Being confident about curves is all well and good, but lets not start dissing people that are thin.
Some people are naturally size 6 and 8, and they are 'real' women too.
Let's have a bit of contradiction here, I'll post a link to myself before I gained a little more weight, I personally don't think I'm any less feminine because I'm thinner, nor is any other girl. I still have big thighs though!
>>20 any girl has the ability to be hot. Even me with my low self-esteem can accept that, since I've got a current interest who constantly tells me how sexy I am. Never put yourself down, you have a lovely figure, you carry it well and you don't look like a 14.
Even I'm heavier than I look.
And this is the most recent one...
I don't care about showing my face. People on here have seen me anyway. But I clearly don't really have much of a chest, and some legs on me - but I learned to love it. I just want to get fit now! i have no stamina!
Women's dress sizes are meaningless- I'm a size 10 in trousers, skirts and dresses, a size 12 in blouses, a size 14 in some tops and a size 8 in others. It all depends on the style of the garment, and whether or not the designer remembered that many women have boobs. If you have a bmi between 18 and 25, you're a healthy weight, whatever dress size you are. Being curvy =/= being overweight.
>>20 I understand the point. I said 'careful' because it could easily go the other way.
Holden, I'm not growing anymore... vertically at least - horizontal growth is what may not stop. I'm 22 now so... (And even when I tell them to stuff their comments somwhere, they just leave me alone for... 2 weeks.)
MissB > Of course you can! Honestly, there is no way you wouldn't. And I think I would just add up to what RayRay said. Don't pout yourself down.
And I totally agree with you, RayRay. (And you look just great as you are!)
Marion, I think that sometimes, people do forget about boobs. I tried shirts on and my friends were all: what are you complaining about? Well... doesn't fit. Of course, getting the right clothes can be a hassle but it's worth it.
No pics for now though because everything I have are self-taken pics on which I have corsets... so totally biased.^^
Oh yes... The boobs... Especially with spaghetti strap dresses. I love wearing them... but I don't have many, because often they are too tight in... some places... So no point of buying them. If I wanna wear thight things, I'll buy a corset.
I wouldn't say dress sizes are meaningless, but maybe that's just because I have no shape so I'm an 8 in tops no matter what. 8-10 on bottom, depending if it's trouser material or denim... but that's about it for me.
Sometimes I wish I had bigger boobs, then I see people complaining about how much of a pain they can be and I thank god that I ain't got much. I haven't got the patience to deal with them.
Just be happy with what your genes gave you, everyone is beautiful in their own way, I live by that because it's the only way I can stop putting myself down.
