to be a bit disgusted at this?

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

I've now seen it a couple of times now- basically having a woman standing around in nothing more than knickers, bra and stockings in store windows. In DECEMBER. My first thought is, damn you must be cold, second is, you must have an amazing waxer, and then finally the feminist rage descended. For one poor woman, there was a bunch of gross leary men taking her photo with their phones, and also, I have NEVER seen the equivalent for men.

AIBU to think that in this day and age, we should not have women standing about like prostitutes in shop windows (when discussing with DM she said it did sound like the red light district of Amsterdam)? Or am I thinking like a 93 year old woman and should get back to my comfy slippers and radio show?

It is exactly the same when Men do it, but as a woman I can only say how I feel about the use of female sexuality to sell...well just about everything these days! I'm sure men don't particuarly like it when they see scantily clad men either! It is all exploitation and capitalists using sex to sell - and some people may find that ok, but I find it disturbing!

grumypants no need to apologise, I am not easily offended... However, the term 'glamour modelling' covers everything that involes wearing lingerie or less really, so modelling in the Bravissimo catalogue to standing in the la senza window, to getting your kit off in 'mns' magazines.

Women are individuals, one doesn't represent all. WHat a shame people don't think peopel canbe individals and mak eindividual choices without somehow marring the reputation of all women.

Tubbyduffs - You see, I don't really have a problem with that. Meaning and intention different.

We're all media-savvy enough today to be able to "read" the difference.

What I dislike is the "package" at LaSenza. It's buying into (or asking us to) a whole different "meaning" and conversation. A whole thing about selling an airbrushed, commodified, banal and sexist sexuality.

I'm so sick to death of it.

I am so fed up that such a banal message about, predominantly female, predominantly heterosexual, sexuality is sold back to us as a chimera of liberation.

It really makes me completely p*ed off.

Midori: 'women are profiting out of that' and men are easily swayed?

Some women are making money out of it, yes. But I wouldn't say womankind profits by being represented as purely a body to be used. And do you think on average more women profit financially from this stuff than men? Because I don't think so. Sorry if that offends you.

Yes but the point is it does sell, so the majority of people clearly aren't bothered by it so I am afrid you will have to put up with it cos the companies wont change for the minority.

Sad yes but true.

Not that I am saying you should keep quiet about it because the majority view wouldn't change then.

In this case though, because it is underwear (and sexy underwear at that) I don't see the problem. The product is a sex related thing so it kinda makes sense no?

If she was selling cheese I would be bothered then.

Okay, on more reflection, I thinkt he following:

• Okay, it's awesome that if this is what these girls choose to do with themselves, then great. All power to them. But, I hope they realise that they have more to offer than just hot bodies.
• It's insulting to men. It assumes that as soon as they see a mostly naked woman they'll buy anything (even rubbish underwear from La Senza)
• I don't think it is any better that men are now also parading around in underwear and what not. Equality shouldn't mean being equally as oppressive. Every now and then my (female) boss comes around and shows us, or emails us, pictures of hot young men. It actually makes me really uncomfortable (partly cos these men are probably about the same age as her DSs. Blegh) - you are objectifying another human being. There's a difference between appreciating beauty and leering, and most of the time it's leering.
• I think it's really annoying that if you aren't all "yay! A naked woman! You go girlfriend" about this kind of thing, you're labled a prude.

At the end of the day, I would hate it if my niece, or any daughter I may have, decides that this is a fabulous career option. (same goes if nephews/DSs decide to become the equivalent)

The concern is that society these days seems to favour this kind of behaviour, and women are being told (a lot of the time by other women that there is nothing wrong with it).

It is the same with any kind of media which exploits women, for example with porn, the amount of times I have heard women saying about their husbands, 'Well, at least he's not cheating'. Is that the choice, either be alright with men perving at other women, or let him cheat? Wow, how liberated women are!

This is the reason why young women idolise the likes of Katie Price...

And, blimey, the fact that a few - a very few - women make money out of being cheerleaders for sexist-capitalism ... that's supposed to make it OK?

Of course it doesn't.

The fact that a few - very few - women and men make caboodles of £££££ making capitalism "go" does not make it OK either.

Lots of people living globally in real poverty ... but it's OK because some humans make a fortune? Er, no.

Harpy - actually I think that it is a part of it, on a sliding scale. Generally women are portrayed, casually, in society on sexual terms. I hate the whole page 3, bit of fun type attitude, the Jordans of this world etc.
Midori - I don't think that you were chosen to model/ whatever because you were Midori but because you represented an 'ideal' in the minds of the choosers, of a sexy woman. So, I disagree, your choice but in making it you represented all of us.
I know that this debate has two sides, with intelligent arguments on both of them. It's funny how Jordan (famous for glamour modelling) attracts criticism mainly for her looks and her 'slagginess' though.

Serenity - I am snickering at "You go, girlfriend."

I think that just about sums it up, really.

Delivered with a wry eyebrow and a very dry tone.

Yes, but I am talking about the general exploitation of women, and how women who don't agree with it are just meant to go along with it. The porn argument is more extreme, but its the same principles behind it. Women are meant to just accept it.

And with Jordan, young girls admire her, and what for? What has she actually done to warrant such admiration from young girls? She exploits everything/everyone around her, but the younger generation think that her world is something to aspire too.

Abercrombie always has a half naked man at the door. It's a very off-putting shop and this is one of the reasons why.

Surely advertising is the exploitation of people, though? It's designed to manipulate our buying habits. I think scantily clad men are used in a very similair way, although personally I like a man in a suit rather than in his skiddies. I may actually be a prude.

what - we're not allowed to leer over gorgeous men anymore because it's not equality

YABU how else do you advertise underwear? I'd prefer to see people wearing it than mannequins, don't think I've ever seen a properly proportioned mannequin. It's also miles better than airbrushed photos!

"But, I hope they realise that they have more to offer than just hot bodies."

I find this view more demeaning to women, that girls who do lingerie modelling don't have the ability to think for themselves and don't know that they can do other things. Of course they do!

If you don't approve of La Senza's advertising campaign then don't buy from them, simple.

ba ha ha ha - this has to be a joke!

They are underwear models FFS, should they be wearing the merchandise over a pair of Kwik-fit overalls?

OP is clearly having a laugh or is feeling a bit down on herself and these women are making her feel insecure.

I'm not saying "you go, girlfriend," and I certainly ain't no lingerie model. The only thing I own from la senza is some comfy pyjamas.

I just find it really tiresome when people get offended by this sort of thing. First of all it's "why don't men do this", now that we've ascertained they do then it's all objectifying people. yawn.

And in this example it is not an airbrushed, pin tucked model, it's a real person wearing it - surely that's a good thing. Would you only be happy if she had pubes hanging out of the side of the pants and an overhang round the bra straps?

See, I struggle with the exploitation of women. I do get all het up over overtly sexual imagery, and start wanting to wave banners. However, I also want to be sexy and desirable, and I want my DH to think I'm sexy and alluring. It is a conundrum.

'OP is clearly having a laugh or is feeling a bit down on herself and these women are making her feel insecure.'

FFS UpsyOne why do you have to assume that she is unhappy with herself to be offended by it? That is so offensive, some people actually have principles that matter to them! I find it incredibly offensive and I am completely happy with how I look!

"They are underwear models FFS, should they be wearing the merchandise over a pair of Kwik-fit overalls?"

I really really hope that someone from a lingerie company's marketing sees this, that would be brilliant!

Exactly. In thi case, the girl prancing around in her underwear to advertise sexy underwear is not explotation, it's sommon sense. You wouldn't stick it on a potato. She doesn't represent real women? She IS a real woman!