Illusion of a tiny waist?
Who wouldn’t want a “waist-whittling illusion dress”? Me, for one, because I think these look like lampshades. Only a certain small (and I mean small) subgroup of women would look good in this style, and they are women who would probably look good in anything.
And although yes, their waists do look even smaller because of the wider tops, it’s not really an illusion that they have tiny waists. They really do have tiny waists.
Picky, picky, picky, I know.
But anyway, here are the weird silhouettes:
It’s actually the larger tops and bottoms that are the illusions. I predict this look will not catch on.
Unlike the trapeze:
The chemise (on the left here):
And the balloon:
I remember each of those styles in its heyday. And I also remember this song, which may be obscure enough that you’ve never heard it before, unless you’re of a certain age:
Old enough, but never heard this one!
Love that saxaphone rock!
Like Sam L., I don’t remember hearing this song before.
The sneakers really add a touch of elegance to the ugly dress on the left.
Spanx?
Black is the only solution to the question of personal body aesthetics which does not scream pathetic desperation.
Each person must ask: am I drawing attention to the very (supposed) defect I am trying to cover?
The look to go for in these situations is something which says dignity, always dignity: “I realize I have this (supposed) defect, but I am wearing something (or doing something) which addresses the situation in a graceful way.” Either way, desperate or graceful, folks notice.
The fact that very wealthy men cannot hide dye jobs (for example) ought to give everyone the clue that your anxiety should not get the upper hand on your dignity. All you are doing is advertising your anxiety, not a pretty thing.
If wealthy people cannot spend their way out of the (supposed) defect, no one else can do anything about it. There is no beauty Viagra.
Harsh reality is harsh. But we can all make ourselves look better, even beautiful, in the way we respond to it.
“lampshades”
Good description; but, I thought those were only worn on the head during rambunctious parties?
Interesting observations, Tonawanda.
Those are just about the ugliest dresses I’ve ever seen.
Ugly, but mostly modest. A fair trade, I think.
The one on the right is an interesting case study on what contrast and shape do to the eye’s natural assumptions, though.
I do love the balloon dress. So girly!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9lPF-oAs6jM/TGWKTrkBeXI/AAAAAAAAAq8/036BNCHfvIA/s1600/yoco_japanese_dress_J1951black1.jpg
So which one is this, Asian balloon or Asian trapeze?
Oh, btw, I half suspect the sneakers on the left are for out running the rapists in Hollywood, as well as the perverts in authority.
The one on the left isn’t that bad-looking, although I think you could accomplish the same effect with a well-cut vest. The one on the right looks like some kind of ball-jointed child’s toy.
Lovely reminders, except for the trapeze, which only really works for very few women. I do love the lampshade look. There is something… about it. And the chemise is my second favorite. But styles were really only made for… the petite, small, demure.
Otherwise it’s like seeing a five footer (man) hop out of an oversized vehicle, lifted to the sky, with super-sized tires. It… just doesn’t work.
Top right pic. The woman is standing awkwardly, pigeon-toed. Is this on purpose or was she caught trying to figure out right or left?
Sort of OT. From time to time you’ll see young women standing with feet together, ankle bones no doubt touching, perfectly parallel.
Men don’t stand that way. Men, try it and see if you feel a bit anxious for your balance. As if you’re vulnerable to some contingency. So why would women do it? An endearing, vulnerable cuteness? Emphasize feminity?
Richard – Body language. Men subconsciously try to take up more space to look more powerful. Women typically signal more closed-off. Plus, the obvious reason that males can’t put their legs together as tightly as women.
Not really on topic, but regarding the song, I’ve noticed that a lot of publicity photos for rock musicians in the 1950s showed their heads tilted diagonally. I wonder why?
Nick.
Okay. But try standing like that and see if you feel comfortable or vulnerable. IMO, women take the risk for…some reason.
Richard, I would think the primary issue is the high heels.
The only aspect profile for a woman to stand on her toes like that is when she is kissing a much taller person.
Also the one leg kicked back, standing on one leg is another pose.
All of which requires some kind of balancing agent, generally external.
A position or stance that requires no external aid is less vulnerable yes.
The female on the right reminds me of those toys that were half together by some elastic and when you pressed the bottom of the stand they’d collapse, and when you released it, they snap back into place.
The illusion also makes their heads really tiny. Hideous.
Every one has this backwards, the optical illusion isn’t giving Keira Knightly a small waist. She’s built like Skeletor, the illusion is making her look like she has hips and a bust.
The illusion of clothes that don’t fit.
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