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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Shape wear - why are we being sucked back into girdles ?

82 replies

lumbago · 12/05/2012 12:24

I just think its against my religion.
Either lose some weight or buy something that fits ur suits.
I've flirted with large pants that give me an unattractive prosthetic air once , but then I think FFs I am not apologizing for myself, and leave at home.
On the other thread someone wears them to work !!
Isn't life tough enough without a corset ?

OP posts:

trixymalixy · 13/05/2012 19:31

So if a man wore shapewear even though he found it uncomfortable, for the sake of vanity, would you say he was oppressed and if so by whom?

BerryLellow · 13/05/2012 21:00

Well that told me! Cheap naff dresses it is then :)

Arana · 13/05/2012 22:56

Hey, I like it cos it keeps me warm too - is that oppressive?

Shallishanti · 13/05/2012 22:56

I'd say he was vain, and foolish, but still a man, and therefore someobody with power in society!

trixymalixy · 13/05/2012 23:37

I think anything that's uncomfortable (as apparently 'shapewear' can be) or makes it difficult to move around easily (some heels) is oppressive. unless you are male and then it's just vain and foolish?

Shallishanti · 13/05/2012 23:47

yes, because we aren't just isolated individuals, we are members of groups, ie male/female and we live a world where power is allocated according to gender (amongst other things)
so, the same act or choice can be construed differently according to the social situation of the actor

it's not rocket science

the man who chooses to wear 'shapewear' need not fear negative repercussions if he doesn't. Women, it seems, worry that people will judge their bodies negatively, and that is important because our appearance is considered very important. For men, it's what they do and say that's important

trixymalixy · 14/05/2012 00:04

Believe it or not I pretty much have a degree in rocket science

How are women supposed to gain equality when we are our own worst enemies? This kind of nonsense really just decreases the credibility of feminism.

Feminism should be about equality for women no matter what they are wearing, whether they choose to wear pink or heels or shapewear or let it all hang out or lipstick or no makeup at all brogues or a suit or whatever. So please stop putting other women down for their choices.

SeasonOfTheWitch · 14/05/2012 00:07

I'm with the rocket scientist on this

HillyWallaby · 14/05/2012 05:56

shallishani I'd have to disagree with you there - ask any man who has spent most of his life having to wear a formal collar and tie.

HillyWallaby · 14/05/2012 05:59

Shallishanti my above post was in response to this one by the way:

I think anything that's uncomfortable (as apparently 'shapewear' can be) or makes it difficult to move around easily (some heels) is oppressive. Thinking that how you look is more important than being able to move etc is wierd, and only when you have been brought up to put a high value on your appearance would you do it. Men aren't brought up to do this (shapewear for men regardless, I bet this is a tiny market compared to the female one).

HillyWallaby · 14/05/2012 06:03

Also shaving. Shaving is the ultimate unnecessary pain in the butt but there is a great deal of pressure on men to do it for appearances' sake. A full beard is ok (depending on who you are asking) but just an unshaven appearance is generally frowned upon, especially in the workplace. What is the difference between that and women conforming by wearing make-up or heels or shapewear? Actually no-one gives a stuff about any of those except the woman in question. Wearing no make and flat shoes rarely if ever got anyone turned down for a job.

Arana · 14/05/2012 09:38

Only you can say if you're oppressed or not.

PropertyNightmare · 14/05/2012 09:44

After my recent DC4 I am wearing suck it in pants. They are great and make the differnece between looking 3-4 months pregnant and not pregnant at all. i will be wearing them till i have shifted the baby weight. Yes, they hurt but this morning I am wearing the pants and have eaten 2 kit kat chunky bars with no real feelings of guilt. It is a win win for this period where I have a tiny baby and cannot be arsed to diet.

missmartha · 14/05/2012 10:03

I bought one of those shaping knicker things to wear to a wedding. Well I wore them under a clingy dress I'd got for the wedding.

Not sure they made a huge difference.

I wear a bra though. I beast fed my kids and my tits would be tucked into my belt otherwise. A bra can be pretty restricting and sit in the wrong position in a underwired job and it can bloody hurt.

DH only wears boxers or the other things. What ever they are they look comfy.

Pinot · 14/05/2012 10:06

'ello cod :)

Original poster

lumbago · 14/05/2012 10:10

You are welcome
I think its shit

OP posts:

Pinot · 14/05/2012 10:14

heh heh

Jnice · 14/05/2012 10:24

I was considering one recently. Have almost lost baby weight but due to carrying 3 large DS and a major diastasis that won't repair I look 4m pregnant. I am apple shape and size 10. I am so sick of being asked if I'm pregnant.

If I was a man people wouldn't assume this.

PropertyNightmare · 14/05/2012 10:58

Jnice. They are nothing short of a God send for the situation you describe. They take me from 3-4 months pregnant looking to a non bump tummy. I only wear them out of the house and on top of my tights meaning I can whip them off easily as soon as I get home! Once I shift the weight they will be saved for special occasions only.

sieglinde · 14/05/2012 11:20

Oh yeah, of course the OP saying 'just lose some weight' isn't remotely oppressive. :) How many of you ladies went to the gym today? The inner girdle in the brain is even less comfortable than the outer one.

Original poster

lumbago · 14/05/2012 12:06

i did!
i go three times a week.

OP posts:

Original poster

lumbago · 14/05/2012 12:06

im still SWEATING all over the keyboard after an hour's spin

OP posts:

Ephiny · 14/05/2012 12:27

I wear shapewear occasionally. I quite like my size and shape generally, it's just as others have said about looking 'smooth' under a slightly clingy dress. Yes I could buy a different dress, but I like this one and I look good in it! I don't find it uncomfortable (if it is, you might be wearing a size too small!) though it might be a bit sweaty for everyday wear, especially in the summer!

I guess we all make our choices when it comes to this kind of thing. Personally I never wear high heels (horribly uncomfortable) or make up (don't see the point), it doesn't bother me if someone else does though.

HillyWallaby · 14/05/2012 12:40

Huh. Not one of you decided to take me on over the menz and their shaving/ties, and tell me why I am wrong and that is different even though it's not.

This is what you get for trying to have a not very serious discussion about oppression in Style and Beauty. If this thread had been in Feminism it would be all out war by now. You bloody lightweights.

Jnice · 14/05/2012 14:35

Thanks Property! What brand do you have?

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