History of The Female Ideal
Before the early 1900’s, the perfect female form was voluptuous, curvy and womanly. The artist Peter Paul Rubens, a very prolific artist in the early 17th century painted many well known works of art featuring a woman’s body in it’s most ideal form, showing what was considered to be the most desirable in the female body during this time period. The “Rubinesque” woman’s body featured in many of Ruben’s works was rounded, fleshy and definitely full figured. Certainly by today’s standards the women featured in the paintings of this time period would be considered overweight, but historically the plumper woman’s body was thought to be the most erotic, desirable and sought after.
In day’s gone by, extra weight on a woman’s body was heavily associated with good health and wealth. If you had meat on your bones, it was because you had money to be able to afford food in rich abundance. The rounded and fuller bodies that were in vogue during this historic time period were also equated to fertility and the ability to bear healthy children. Thinness, especially in its most extreme form was equated with poverty, ill health, sickness and disease.
How to Feel Better About Your Body
By the early 1900’s, women started to participate in athletics and sports as fairly regular pastimes. A somewhat thinner, more athletic figure became what was desired by the masses, at least according to the dictates of fashion during this time. During the Flapper Era of the 1920’s, a complete departure from what had always been the norm became most desirable. For the first time in history, women wanted to be straight in figure, lacking curves in an almost boyish silhouette, while shunning the traditional hourglass silhouette altogether. Many women cut their hair short to complete the slightly rebellious fashion look. The prior Victorian Era had bred women that were very full bodied and robust. The 1920’s then came along and created a fashion ideal that made women all want to look as if they were very young, undeveloped teenagers. It was likely very difficult to be an aging or mature woman during this time period because being “in style” was likely to be completely impossible. Getting the perfect fashion look popularized during this time period was feasible for only the very youthful or the naturally slender and flat chested. Bras were more like camisoles and definitely were designed to de-emphasize the breasts, not to boost them up as they had been in the days of the past. Full-breasted women were known to bind or bandage their breasts in order to flatten them out. There was a type of bra that was laced on both sides which when tied on would accomplish this flattening and thus diminish the breasts appearance. We never claimed that fashion had to make sense, and this is a perfect example of a fashion trend that simply didn’t. Boyish thinness became the fashion ideal. No longer was voluptuousness associated with wealth and health. The curvaceous hourglass ideal was replaced with a far thinner, shapeless body type that for most women was simply unattainable or for some was achieved by taking drastic and ridiculous measures.
Thankfully, the 1950’s brought the hourglass figure back with a bang. Marilyn Monroe, considered to be one of the hottest sexual icons of that decade, was a voluptuous and very curvy gal. Believe it or not, by today’s media standards, Marilyn would be considered a plus size gal, or about a size 12-14.
The 1980’s did little to change what was considered to be the ideal female form, except with the aerobics craze (thank you Jane Fonda!) a new twist was added to the general desired skinniness of the fashionable populace. Now women wanted to be thin as well as very athletically toned. (Not to be confused with overly muscular or overly developed, mind you!) Most of the fashion models and sexy icons of this decade were actually 15% below their expected body weight. The message women were getting was two faced. It stated, be fit, be healthy, and be grossly underweight. It’s no wonder that women’s body images became very unrealistic and hopelessly confused.
Media Images Aren't Comparable to Real Life
Things have changed very little since the 1980’s with one noted exception. Many women are wising up and rebelling against the ridiculous media images they are exposed to. Women are educated about the tricks of Photoshop and airbrushing and realize that media images aren’t necessarily comparable to real life. Women are also learning little by little to embrace their natural bodies as well as their beautiful curves. The areas that most women have viewed as “problem areas” in their bodies--rounded bellies, wider hips and full thighs are ironically the areas that make women the most characteristically female. Why would a woman want to rid herself of the physical attributes that make her the most womanly? For most women, attaining the cultural fashion ideal isn’t very realistic or physically possible. The average woman in America today is 5’4” tall and weighs about 165 lbs. The average fashion model is 5’11” and weighs 111 lbs. Perhaps it’s time for women to wake up and learn to love themselves a little bit more. No two bellies or butts are alike or the same, and that’s a good thing. It may very well be time to ditch the notion of a perfect fashion ideal as well as the unrealistic goals that the media has thrown at us.
You are sexy and beautiful … just the way you are!
You don’t have to be tall and skinny to want to feel sexy as well as beautiful. When it comes to the modern day plus size gal, she has come a long way. She knows she’s hot, sexy and unique in her own way, and she wants sexy lingerie fashions just like any other woman does. Lingerie manufacturers have realized the growing need for sexy lingerie styles in wider size ranges and have listened and responded to what their customers really want. If you fit into the plus size category you will be pleased and delighted to see the wide array of fashions and designs of lingerie that are made just to fit you and your unique figure.
The most important factor in buying any lingerie, no matter what your size is, is to find the styles that fit you correctly and flatter your figure the most. Every woman will need to decide for herself what areas of her figure she most wants to accentuate as well as those she would like to deemphasize. Buying quality lingerie that fits correctly and plays up your best features can only make you feel more sexy, beautiful and confident--and that my friend, is the point!
Virtually every facet of the lingerie world is available in plus sizes in today’s intimate apparel marketplace, and can be yours with little effort and a few mouse clicks. You needn’t worry that just because you are a plus size girl that you won’t be able to find lingerie that is just as sexy as you can find in smaller size ranges. This is simply not the case! Chemises, Bustiers, Bra and Panty Sets, Corsets, Gowns, Teddies and many other styles are available in fabrications from hot and sexy leather to delicate satins and laces. Fulfill your innermost fantasies while finding comfort, fit and all the super sexy styles you’ve been craving. Feeling good about your sexy body and gorgeous curves is easy when you have the right wardrobe. It’s easy to bring your inner diva out to play in some very sexy lingerie made to fit your body and your lifestyle just perfectly.
Incidentally, don’t forget the drama and allure of sexy costumes as well. Dressing up in a sexy character outfit isn’t just for Halloween any more. From sexy schoolgirls, to naughty nurses you can role-play for some serious bedroom drama that you absolutely won’t want to miss out on. Plus size gals will find many styles and characters to choose from that will add some serious sizzle and spice (not to mention fun) to your love life!
Every woman needs to learn to love herself and embrace the good things she has to offer. Feeling sexy and loving your body for its own unique beauty is a very good thing. Beautiful plus size lingerie is not impossible to find, in fact, it’s actually quite easy. Enjoying the feeling of being sexy and desirable is now incredibly simple for every woman, no matter what her size.
