How are tits, lips and high heels aspirational for young women?

[Bouncealot]

Just watched The Apprentice on BBC and am following Rise and Fall on C4. Why are all the women styled like this? What does it say to younger women? Is it to signal feminine power? None of the successful young women I know dress this way. The equivalent dress code for men doesn’t bear thinking about, and guess what? We don’t see young men’s chests on display in the office, or even on TV.

No she’s saying they shouldn’t wear this stuff as it implys others should dress this way.

@RudsyFarmer

Perhaps they don’t care what men think?

I'm so glad you brought this up, I watched rise and fall and thought exactly the same thing, these young ladies are not happy unless they have their tits hanging out, same with Mafs!!! And don't get me started on the hideous Daffy duck lips!!!

That first woman who was evicted on rise and fall looked like she was just wearing a bloody bra!

I haven't seen the Apprentice in years but have been watching Rise and Fall and was definitely struck by this. One of the contestants wore nothing on top but bras (visibly lingerie/bravissimo type bras) and a suit jacket with one button at the waist. I mean, there's a difference between looking great and professional and not having to hide your body parts and literally just wearing a bra. Another contestant seems to also have adopted this look.

But as someone said, they're self selecting by a) being on the show but also b) being the ones who threw themselves forward to be Rulers from the start. There are other women who are currently Grafters who I'd be VERY surprised if they dressed like that when they go up.

As I stated above, I think the lack of diversity is the problem not women’s choices.

I knew this would be about the apprentice.

They give them a wardrobe of clothes to choose from, shockingly. Can’t explain the lips.

Shouldn't a reality show reflect reality?

Have you ever watched a reality tv show?

Agree with regards to The Apprentice.

A couple of tasks; filming an advert for dog food and running round a city collecting “a shopping list” was almost farcical with the women attempting to run in heels, manage dogs while balancing jackets on their shoulders , tight dresses they couldn’t bend down in and incredibly high heels.

At one point one of the men had to carry Victoria because she couldn’t walk in her heels.. hardly empowering 😂

I actually want to laugh when Alan Sugar addresses the women in the boardroom and the camera zooms in on their enormous greasy lips and immovable foreheads.

The women aren’t wearing what they want they’re confirming to the “Insta” pouting look like a uniform.

@Liorae

It is a TV show. A lot of young women do look like that now, so it’s not exactly unrealistic. If you look at the original line up they haven’t all got their lips plumped etc.

I agree with the op. It's not that women shouldn't look that way, it's just that TV programmes like the Apprentice make it seem that that is the only way to be. There are no more Ruth Badgers, every female is made up to the hilt and wearing the tightest clothing imaginable (and it's not even current fashion so I'm sure the producers must require it of them)

That’s what I’m saying. They’re certainly not doing it for men. Men don’t like it.

Plenty of middle ground! What a daft comment 😂

@RudsyFarmer

Nar, some men love that look. Plenty don’t mind but I can think of a few men, my brother included who actively seek out that look.

I know what you mean, OP. It’s the same poundshop Kardashian look everywhere. That’s the current “aesthetic” however grotesque, and like all things, it will pass.

Yes. I suspect what happens is that the ones with the lips and boobs are just the ones that get selected. So they might be being themselves but ultimately plenty of other people who were also being themselves sans augmentation were rejected.

Which is a bit sad because I think most of us would have no objection to ordinary looking people going on the apprentice.

Some women love a highly manicured look on a bloke but most of us are looking for someone handsome who doesn’t know they’re handsome and isn’t in the bathroom longer than us.

I agree with you OP.

DH and I like to watch The Apprentice sometimes and I always cringe at how the women are dressed. None of them ever look comfortable to me, and those killer heels are terrifying. I'm always crossing my fingers that none of them ever has an accident while wearing them.

I know some women do like dressing like that, but agree with others that the show should represent more diversity. It does give the impression that to be successful you have to dress like a Barbie doll.

I actually want to laugh when Alan Sugar addresses the women in the boardroom and the camera zooms in on their enormous greasy lips and immovable foreheads.

This is so bitchy and judgemental. Fucks sakes, no wonder men think it’s okay to tear women down when women are already tearing each other down.

Yeah - but youre not being yourselves - youre being a pumped, botoxed, heel teetering version . Men get promoted without this.

Why did you specify young women? Older generations wore heels and aspired for nice tits too. Lips have been a more recent trend but it’s hardly a new phenomenon, women have always been subject to conformity to beauty standards?

Your point about employers ways of dressing is key I think.

The Apprentice women all wear block colours (like the late Queen). It is unlikely that 9 women spontaneously choose to wear block colours in a complementary colour palette. Even more unlikely that they would choose similar fabric and skirt shape. Therefore, I suggest its likely that the wardrobe dept/producers are at least partly responsible.

Remember the candidates are not on the whole selected for their brains or business acumen. It's a TV show with a certain look.

Because they know they will be on camera.

@RudsyFarmer

Most handsome men do know they’re handsome though. It’s rare to see a properly handsome bloke who’s wife isn’t attractive, naturally. They know what they can get.

My brother actively seeks out that sort of look on the Apprentice but for his own enjoyment I guess, but to him they’re ten a penny. I suspect he wouldn’t marry one with huge ballooned up lips.