Sexy Over the Years
Marina Byerly
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: Taboo
According to multiple friends of mine, a sexy woman is fairly tan, curvy, and looks natural whether she wears make up or not. You may think, "Yeah that seems to be about right." Even though women who are the opposite of all these things are still found attractive, this is the general stereotype that guys say they look for. In the past this is not at all what would be considered attractive.
Now, women with large breasts and a nice butt are considered sexy. However, a chunky stomach or thunder thighs generally is not the norm for turn-ons. Believe it or not, some weight on a woman used to be hot. In the Middle Ages weighing a lot was a sign of wealth. It meant you could afford to feed yourself and therefore having junk in the trunk was a good thing. Early in the century, women purposely strapped down their chests to have a boyish figure; which is how our supermodels look now.
The reason men now choose women with large butts and small waists is because evolutionarily, they are considered to be more fertile. Child bearing hips are subconsciously a good thing. However, in the last few years Dove has run the 'True Beauty Campaign' featuring women who are more realistic looking with real bodies. Does this mean that our society is turning to more realistic standards? I have my fingers crossed.
If you are pasty and go to a club with your friend who is a nice shade of brown, would you feel inferior? Most women say yes. In the 1920s being tan was atypical and women ran around looking as pale as can be. They even powdered their noses and knees to stay a smooth, white color.
Today tanning is over a $3 million industry. Tanning and excessive sun exposure are extremely unhealthy and dangerous, so I am with my fellow sunscreen wearers, in pushing the popular T shirt slogan, "Pale is the new tan."
'Black is Beautiful' is a beauty campaign targeted toward skin color that started in the 1960s to encourage African Americans to embrace their heritage. This phrase was used because of the racial and civil rights issues of that time, but now it is used in media such as the 'Tyra Banks Show' in a different way.
Now, women with large breasts and a nice butt are considered sexy. However, a chunky stomach or thunder thighs generally is not the norm for turn-ons. Believe it or not, some weight on a woman used to be hot. In the Middle Ages weighing a lot was a sign of wealth. It meant you could afford to feed yourself and therefore having junk in the trunk was a good thing. Early in the century, women purposely strapped down their chests to have a boyish figure; which is how our supermodels look now.
The reason men now choose women with large butts and small waists is because evolutionarily, they are considered to be more fertile. Child bearing hips are subconsciously a good thing. However, in the last few years Dove has run the 'True Beauty Campaign' featuring women who are more realistic looking with real bodies. Does this mean that our society is turning to more realistic standards? I have my fingers crossed.
If you are pasty and go to a club with your friend who is a nice shade of brown, would you feel inferior? Most women say yes. In the 1920s being tan was atypical and women ran around looking as pale as can be. They even powdered their noses and knees to stay a smooth, white color.
Today tanning is over a $3 million industry. Tanning and excessive sun exposure are extremely unhealthy and dangerous, so I am with my fellow sunscreen wearers, in pushing the popular T shirt slogan, "Pale is the new tan."
'Black is Beautiful' is a beauty campaign targeted toward skin color that started in the 1960s to encourage African Americans to embrace their heritage. This phrase was used because of the racial and civil rights issues of that time, but now it is used in media such as the 'Tyra Banks Show' in a different way.
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