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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are "barely there" dresses acceptable in high profile public?

265 replies

Nothingyet · 16/07/2021 07:49

Are "barely there" dresses acceptable? I saw this this in the Mail this morning, and there were the usual comments: "and they wonder why men sexualize them..." etc.
I wondered if there were any views? www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9792613/Cannes-Film-Festival-2021-Kimberley-Garner-flashes-bottom-Georgina-Rodriguez.html#comments

OP posts:
Pinuporc · 16/07/2021 10:00

If Priti Patel or Theresa May turned up to the house of commons, it the daily briefings dressed like this I might raise an eyebrow but it's the red carpet- they are literally there to generate interest in what they look like.

And if you're not an A lister you might have to work harder or reveal more skin to get the publicity.

maddening · 16/07/2021 10:03

It wasn't barely there, she literally had to hold her skirt up and open to get people to see her arse.

Porcupineintherough · 16/07/2021 10:08

@SoMuchForSummerLove dont agree at all. Why do male celebs not have to show their arses to confirm their talent?

SchrodingersMat · 16/07/2021 10:10

They all look amazing except for the one flashing her arse cheeks. Stella’s nude dress is absolutely stunning.

Nothingyet · 16/07/2021 10:11

@ahoyshipmates

Still waiting with bated breath for the OP's own views...
I posted here because I wondered what the MN views would be. I personally see nothing wrong with it, models and actors of both sexes capitalise on their assets. I was pleasantly surprised by the DM comments, there seem to be few of the "she's asking for it" comments. On the beach people expose more of their bodies (if they feel comfortable, I suppose, I feel guilty subjecting people to the sight of mine, lol!) I was a bit surprised the one girl felt she needed to make sure everyone saw her ass, the dress was revealing enough without her lifting it out of the way.
OP posts:
Nothingyet · 16/07/2021 10:12

@maddening

It wasn't barely there, she literally had to hold her skirt up and open to get people to see her arse.
LOL!
OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 16/07/2021 10:12

[quote Porcupineintherough]@SoMuchForSummerLove dont agree at all. Why do male celebs not have to show their arses to confirm their talent?[/quote]
50 or 60 years ago no one had to show their arse on the red carpet. All they needed to do was look glamorous and sophisticated.

Mousetown · 16/07/2021 10:14

The black one is a bit odd with cycling shorts. I hate the contrived flaunt my legs and / back / bust / bum. It’s a meat market and attracts a certain type of person eg Harvey Weinstein

I can’t believe it’s 2021 and women still make comments like this.

I can’t believe it is 2021 and people don't see how sexist the system is that pits women against each other to show off most flesh, when men are not under equivalent pressure

I agree with you. I’m not sure why you replied with this, unless you agree with the poster saying that showing flesh attracts people who will sexually assault you? Is that what you think?

VodkaSlimline · 16/07/2021 10:14

As it's Cannes, I'd bet that these dresses/red carpet appearances are advertising for the ladies to be invited onto yachts. Kimberley Garner was on Made in Chelsea for about 10 minutes about 10 years ago and has a PR agent who gets her featured in the Mail's sidebar of shame at least a couple of times a month. I can't think what other source of income she could have - being a "swimwear designer" (whose swimsuits are only available from her own website) doesn't support that sort of lifestyle.

SoMuchForSummerLove · 16/07/2021 10:18

[quote Porcupineintherough]@SoMuchForSummerLove dont agree at all. Why do male celebs not have to show their arses to confirm their talent?[/quote]
Sorry, I'm not sure what I said that you're disagreeing with.

I'm not saying it's great or right that men and women are treated differently, and so behave differently. It's shite.

But also starting threads slagging off those at the very bottom of this particular food chain is pointlessly blaming the people with the least power.

MrsPsmalls · 16/07/2021 10:21

I think Kimberley looks fantastic, but I think she will be amazed when she sees that one shot where we can see her complete arse. All the others it looks like she is carefully trying to show just a bit of side bottom but that one shot looks like a mistake to me. Up to her either way.

comebacksunshines · 16/07/2021 10:22

I was pleasantly surprised by the DM comments, there seem to be few of the "she's asking for it" comments.
I don't think they are 'asking for it' in the traditional sense of the phrase, but I do think they are asking to be sexualised by dressing in that way.
They can't fail to be aware of what they are doing, but it cuts both ways, Liz Hurley will forever be known for her dress, over her acting accomplishments.
I think when you have started out this way, it probably makes its doubly hard to move away from that image, when you want to be taken more seriously in your career.

smokeball · 16/07/2021 10:23

We wear bikinis in the beach, actors and actresses bare all in films, what is the problem with cut out dresses?

I don't particularly like the colour of the dresses and I don't think the cut of them were amazingly flattering either, but the dresses were nowhere near indecent.

AngeloMysterioso · 16/07/2021 10:25

The girl in the purple dress was in about three episodes of MIC about a decade ago and since then her Dad has been paying the DM to write articles about her and get her into events. She’s flashing her arse because she’s desperate to be famous and nobody takes any notice of her because nobody knows who the fuck she is!

Bells3032 · 16/07/2021 10:30

Think the dress itself is fine but she keeps pulling it open to flash her bottom etc and i don't think that's appropriate in a public place.

I think in a perfect world a woman should be able to wear whatever she likes but sadly this isn't a perfect world and women especially need to be wary of the image they project to be taken seriously. sad but true

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 16/07/2021 10:32

I don't know why everyone has to look like porn stars now regardless of their age, you don't see the blokes going around in hot pants do you?

Davros · 16/07/2021 10:34

There was plenty of male flesh on show in the crowds at the Euros, all nationalities btw. It didn't make me hot and bothered, quite the opposite!

HarebrightCedarmoon · 16/07/2021 10:35

There is always someone pushing the boundaries of fashion/decency/taste. Certainly not the worse thing I've seen though by some way!

you don't see the blokes going around in hot pants do you?

Well, some wear revealing outfits. I'm not going to search for examples though!

SoMuchForSummerLove · 16/07/2021 10:38

I think I prefer almost all of the dresses to this slightly bonkers trousers outfit.

Are "barely there" dresses acceptable in high profile public?
chaosrabbitland · 16/07/2021 10:38

i was expecting pasted on see through items with bare boobs and nipples on show ,plus everything else , not a bunch of celebs in some really nice evening dresses . op if this is your idea of barely there dresses you havent been around as much as i have , you might want to check out the daily mail when they are doing an article on the youth of britain out drinking in the streets and then you really will see some dresses that you could or might say are the reason men sexualise women , but these evening dresses no , most of them are lovely

SoMuchForSummerLove · 16/07/2021 10:39

@Davros

There was plenty of male flesh on show in the crowds at the Euros, all nationalities btw. It didn't make me hot and bothered, quite the opposite!
I am always pretty happy to see Ronaldo take his shirt off at the drop of a hat.
Fluffymule · 16/07/2021 10:41

I don't think that the woman in the first dress is an actress, Kimberly, I think she was in a couple of episodes of a reality show a few years back (MIC). So I guess she has achieved what she wanted/needed to do - first, prominent photos in a spread on the worlds biggest online tabloid site.

It's PR. Flashing the flesh gets the clicks, she knows it. She exploits it. She's not alone it that, just playing the game.

CounsellorTroi · 16/07/2021 10:42

Well, some wear revealing outfits. I'm not going to search for examples though!

Could you describe some examples you’ve actually seen? Have you seen a bloke wearing a tux and bow tie without a shirt, for example?

Blossomtoes · 16/07/2021 10:43

Ffs. Really nice evening dresses - seriously? I suppose it’s a good thing we’re all different.

I love the trousers outfit, not least because it’s a bit bonkers.

CounsellorTroi · 16/07/2021 10:43

I am always pretty happy to see Ronaldo take his shirt off at the drop of a hat.

Pretty sure he wouldn’t do that at a formal event.