Imperfections are A-OK

[Wink Holliday]

A lot of huff is made about "Marilyn Monroe wore a size 12," but weall know how much vanity sizing has altered reality over the years. Her dressmaker recorded her measurements as 35-22-35, and nowhere will you find a size 12 dress that will fit a 22" waist the way dresses fit Marilyn. 

BUT…

That doesn't mean that Hollywood hasn't been full of illusion for years. While researching a swimsuit for my shop, I came across this excerpt from a July, 1981 article by Cheryl Lavin for the Chicago Tribune:

     The history of the bathing suit, part I, was presented recently by Anne Cole. That's Cole, as in Cole of California. And this is one woman who doesn't believe all you need is a smile and a Jantzen.

     The Saks Fifth Avenue show here saw the progress of the bathing suit from a midcalf, long-sleeved wool dress over ankle-length wool bloomers through the banned-in-Boston suit (black wool Dr. Denton's) to a 1940 model that was more an engineering feat than a designing challenge. It zipped up the back, draped across the front, and had enough room in the top for a complete service for six. It dated from the days when Esther Williams was the Cole spokesperson.

     "It was always said that Esther had a 38-inch chest," says Miss Cole, a diminutive woman with a silvery blond pixie, blue eyes, great legs, and a figure she describes as "round." "Well, those 38 inches were all across the back. She had the biggest rib cage you ever saw. I used to be her dresser, and I'd unpack her suitcase and right on top would be the falsies. Another illusion shattered."

So gals, guys, cats, kittens: Be healthy. Feel good about yourself. And don't freak out if you don't have a Hollywood Bombshell figure. Maybe your "ideal" was herself getting a little help.

[Vega {★}]

Iiiiinteresting.... thanks for this, such enlightenment!

[Delyssia LaBelle {Madam}]

great post wink! even katie holmes wears spanks. there is tape here, surgery there, falsies everywhere. tricks of super stylists. great advice.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

Those tricks are what make us go from wow to OMG WOW! I wonder what other little tricks our favorite hollywood starlets use.......

[Robert Hatch Photography]

Stay natural ladies, you're body will love you for it, and so will weeee!

[Kristy C]

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

Girdles!!! A woman's best friend since... well, forever! LOL. Most of the vintage looks we base our clothing styles on in this culture need the proper under garments to look right. Without them, you end up looking sloppy, or the "wrong" shape. I own 14, from vintage-ish by Rago to Spanx, one for every kind of outfit I have. Not only do they give you the look, they make you feel better about it.

The other thing many girls on this site have going for them.... a great photographer! Between good lighting, great angles, and photoshop, you can create the perfect figure/skin/...girl.

Remember, a lot goes into looking "perfect". Hair, make up, wardrobe, photoshop... so when you start to get self conscious, just remember, no one is perfect. No one.

Christi Invicta said:

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.

[Kristy C]

Thanks Roxy....all of that is true. I hear ya about the undergarments. I love waist cinchers!

The one thing that gets me about alot of these pics on here is the skin!!! Some skin looks so perfect and surreal. I start to think I have bad skin when I see those pics then I have to remind myself.....photoshop. I always forget about all the work that goes into the photography process and start to compare myself to pictures of people that are seemingly "perfect"

One of my biggest downfalls is comparing myself to other people. It's absolutely lethal for one's confidence! I have tried to work on it but it's really hard for me for some reason. I gotta keep myself off of the internet more.

Roxy Tart {Madam} said:

Girdles!!! A woman's best friend since... well, forever! LOL. Most of the vintage looks we base our clothing styles on in this culture need the proper under garments to look right. Without them, you end up looking sloppy, or the "wrong" shape. I own 14, from vintage-ish by Rago to Spanx, one for every kind of outfit I have. Not only do they give you the look, they make you feel better about it.

The other thing many girls on this site have going for them.... a great photographer! Between good lighting, great angles, and photoshop, you can create the perfect figure/skin/...girl.

Remember, a lot goes into looking "perfect". Hair, make up, wardrobe, photoshop... so when you start to get self conscious, just remember, no one is perfect. No one.

Christi Invicta said:

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.

[Wink Holliday]

For your perusal: Joan Crawford, as shot (and retouched) by George Hurrell, one of the masters of the craft. Hurrell insisted that his subjects not wear makeup, and spent an approximate 6 hours retouching this one photograph. His stars were luminous indeed.

Christi Invicta said:

The one thing that gets me about alot of these pics on here is the skin!!! Some skin looks so perfect and surreal. I start to think I have bad skin when I see those pics then I have to remind myself.....photoshop. I always forget about all the work that goes into the photography process and start to compare myself to pictures of people that are seemingly "perfect"

One of my biggest downfalls is comparing myself to other people. It's absolutely lethal for one's confidence! I have tried to work on it but it's really hard for me for some reason. I gotta keep myself off of the internet more.

[Vega {★}]

Judging from the photos in your profile, we should all be asking you what YOUR secret is!! You look amazing!

Christi Invicta said:

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.

[Robert Hatch Photography]

Why thank you!

[Kristy C]

Thanks :).....but I am so highly self-critical that it's hard for me to take compliments alot of the time. I really want to work on this, cause I feel it would make life much easier! It's also hard because alot of people take it the wrong way....and that sucks. In all reality it's a fatal personality flaw that I am trying to work out but it's hard for others to understand.

Anyway, great thread! I hope it grows more....



Never Again (Raquelle Vega) said:

Judging from the photos in your profile, we should all be asking you what YOUR secret is!! You look amazing!

Christi Invicta said:

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.

[Ida Baker]

Ditto!! I want the divas to dish the dirt!

Christi Invicta said:

Nevermind Hollywood, how about these bombshells here on PL? What's their secret? Gotta be honest, I find myself getting really self concious after browsing photos on here. It's pretty daunting.