Let's talk about the word "curvy"

[Openmymind]

Hi Sweet Sam!

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

By the way, love your pictures. To me curvy is a woman the is "fat in all the right place". It doesn't mean she is over weight which is what it seems to mean to some today. So, a gal with ample breasts, small waist but with hips and a butt that bubbles out (nicely shaped globes of flesh - like yours!) Your could also call it the "hour glass" shape, looks great with the right, form fitting dress. What ya think?

 

[Openmymind]

Great answer, Irreverentgirl

Curvy is about shape...fuller hips and bust with a waist that curves in. I've seen it in women who are size 2. I've seen it in women who are size 22. I've seen others refer to the smaller version of that woman using words like "that woman needs a sandwich", while others refer to the same woman as "shapely". I've seen others refer to the larger version as "a whale" while others refer to the exact same woman as "full figured" or "womanly".

In part of what I do, I design women's clothing and help them find styles and shapes that suit them, no matter what their shape or size. There are two things I've discovered: 1) every woman, no matter what her size or shape, has something she's self-conscious about, and 2) no one sees that particular thing when they look at her.

Curvy is about shape...soft flowing curves of the body.

You put it nicely.

 

[cessyful]

is a 34-29-37 curvy?

some say it is but more people say its not

 

[climber11]

sounds curvy to me but i might have to see and touch to validate.

 

[klippert]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

Negative connotations....HELL NO... Just take a look at all the silver screen stars of the 40-50s. Natural Curves... compared to today, overtly skinny. blah...

I suggest you check out the Fetish board...Curvy woman...

I for one am intensely attracted to woman with curves...my wife is All natural curves. Your Negative Connotations are born of Pop'Kulture.....Heroin skinny. This new thing, thigh gap.... NO NO NO...

 

[klippert]

http://up5.xhcdn.com/000/037/195/358_1000.jpg

CURVY

 

[SweetSam42]

In part of what I do, I design women's clothing and help them find styles and shapes that suit them, no matter what their shape or size. There are two things I've discovered: 1) every woman, no matter what her size or shape, has something she's self-conscious about, and 2) no one sees that particular thing when they look at her.

So very true. And a reason I feel I should chime in about a few posts here talking negatively about thinner/narrower/whatever-you-want-to-call-it bodies. I've known women who are not happy about being "too thin" and have just as much trouble changing that as do women who are trying to lose weight. Too much judgement about women's bodies.

I have a neighbor who thought she was too thin her entire life - classmates made fun of her, etc. She had no control over her body weight - it just was how she was built. (On a side note, she moved from the Midwest to Southern California, and all of a sudden people tell her she's got an extremely hot body and wonder how she keeps so fit. Ha. )

 

[ace195008]

Sweetsam its all perspective ....

 

[Flybigirlsea]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

Love...curvy is not overweight in my book! Curvy is shapely...the preferable body type for me!

 

[bulgy_pants]

Love...curvy is not overweight in my book! Curvy is shapely...the preferable body type for me!

Agreed!!

 

[lookinforward]

Curvy is a female body type that is more accentuated in certain area such as hips breasts and buttocks to me. When I think of a curvy woman I think, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Jane Russel, Raquel Welsh, Sophia Loren. And if we want to get more up to date, Kat Dennings, Christina Hendricks, Selma Hayek ... and so on.

I always had to laugh. I dated a woman that, when she saw a "curvy woman" she would label her as fat. My first thoughts were, Jealous! I don't see a over weight or fat woman at all. I see a much more voluptuous, vivacious, curvaceous or perhaps a buxom woman.

I really hate to see women in general labeled. Thin, fat, curvy, etc. And some of the terms can borderline cruel and nasty. I have a friend who is a real jerk. When he'd see a model type thin woman he would often chuckle, "someone buy the broad a sandwich." His inner problem I think is he finds them attractive but hates to admit it. There is a thing among most my friends at least that lean more to curvy then the opposite. Body shaping and worst yet body shaming is such a problem in our present culture. People starve themselves, or get plastic surgery. All for this idea of a perfect you. I say, take me as I am or let me be!

Have you ever seen young people on like facebook talk about their friends or acquaintances? I don't like to judge anyone. My own niece once comment about her friends body. In reality my niece should not talk. If they are happy with how they look, then so am I. Instead of outer beauty standards, I am far more concerned with inner beauty standards. How many of us see a person who we might label attractive and then they open their mouth! Attitude in both men and women. Have you ever met a nice looking woman who as you got to know her, discovered she was a complete "bitch?" Men too, he's a hunk but he's also an asshole.

Be who you are and stop worrying about others. Goodness knows I have room for improvement with my physique. But its more for health reasons and not body shaping. And the older you get the harder and more important that few extra pounds become.