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.

[Wink Holliday]

Diet, exercise, trained hair/makeup artists, good lighting, great photographers. Knowing where to point your toe or angle your hip. And when all else fails, Photoshop. :)

Stiletto Suicide said:

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.

[Ellie Monster{★}]

Love this post! It is amazing what you get when you start to "break" down what makes our ideals beautiful! Every woman has a trick or two up her sleeve in the glamour dept!

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

When asked in an interview what his beauty secret was, World Famous Drag Queen RuPaul said, "Photo Shop".

Hell to the yeah girl!

[0utlaw Heart]

thats awesome!


Roxy Tart {Madam} said:

When asked in an interview what his beauty secret was, World Famous Drag Queen RuPaul said, "Photo Shop".

Hell to the yeah girl!

[Ida Baker]

Do Spanx really do the job Roxy? I'll buy some if they do but can't bring myself to spend $40 on "underwear" if they don't keep the puff tucked.

Roxy Tart {Madam} said:

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]

Sara Blakely (the designer of Spanx) sells a less expensive line, called Assets, at Target. Worth a shot if you don't want to make a big investment!

Stiletto Suicide said:

Do Spanx really do the job Roxy? I'll buy some if they do but can't bring myself to spend $40 on "underwear" if they don't keep the puff tucked.

Roxy Tart {Madam} said:

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.

[Ida Baker]

We don't have Target! Damn Canada, we do have Wal-Fart though! I'm willing to buy the Spanx but only if they work. I'd seriously pay an ungodly amount of money to hide the evidence of my Coke and potato chip addiction, so the cost itself isn't the issue.

I'm just sick of buying things based off the company's claims to find I would have gotten more enjoyment out of ripping the cash to confetti and dancing in it.

[Harlow]

That truly is the only way to feel sexy, is in your own skin (a healthy way). Plus a little bit skin never hurts anyone

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

I love my Spanx. I can wear them for hours, no boning so they are nice and comfy, and they keep it all nice and sucked in. Admittedly, there are times (and outfits) when a little more support is needed, but for most things, the Spanx work great.

Stiletto Suicide said:

We don't have Target! Damn Canada, we do have Wal-Fart though! I'm willing to buy the Spanx but only if they work. I'd seriously pay an ungodly amount of money to hide the evidence of my Coke and potato chip addiction, so the cost itself isn't the issue.

I'm just sick of buying things based off the company's claims to find I would have gotten more enjoyment out of ripping the cash to confetti and dancing in it.

[Cherry Cyanide]

Great thread. I am just now learning to be comfortable in my own skin. I have a few unique challenges of my own- if anyone has some advice on how to minimize them for performances and pics, I would greatly appreciate it! I've recently lost 135 pounds and I've got a lot of extra skin. It is starting to firm up a little bit, but I will ultimately need plastic surgery to take care of it. I can cover the abdominal mess and saggy chest with good (but pricey!) undergarments but I've got these little bits of skin under my arms and like on the sides of my bra that I just don't know what to do with! So many pin-up outfits are sleeveless and I do feel pretty self-conscious.

I'm super-new to all of this so it's pretty much just me and my roommate reading up on forums and books on how to pose/photograph; we don't have many tricks at our disposal.

[Manda]

This is a really interesting thread.

One of my favourite ads of the last few years is the Dove Evolution you've probably all seen it but those of you who haven't it's worth a look to see what really happens to acheive perfect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Also I wanted to say a congratulations to Cherry Cyanide - 135lb weight loss is no easy feat, be proud of who you are because you are because you have worked so hard to get there!

[Cherry Cyanide]

Ty.

That's a great video. Everyone should see it.

Manda said:

This is a really interesting thread.

One of my favourite ads of the last few years is the Dove Evolution you've probably all seen it but those of you who haven't it's worth a look to see what really happens to acheive perfect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Also I wanted to say a congratulations to Cherry Cyanide - 135lb weight loss is no easy feat, be proud of who you are because you are because you have worked so hard to get there!