Defining Curvy

[SummaLuvin]

I am size 8, 32 inch bust, 24 inch waist, 34 inch hips. I consider my body to be curvy, defined waist, rounded hips, bum, and boobs... However, 'curvy' has been taken over by bigger women to the point where I have been told in no uncertain terms that I am not curvy as I am too small, so I shouldn't describe myself that way. I see curvy as a silhouette hourglass shape at any size, but it seems I am in the minority...

Yeah I’m with you on that, not even just for hour glass shaped though. I’m a 10 with a small waist and wider hips and small boobs but there are definite curves there!

I mean, how many times a day do you go around telling people you're curvy that this is an issue? I'd be about similar to you (not sure as haven't checked my measurements in a million years) but who cares really

I’m with you, but it’s been taken over to mean ‘plus size’
I always think of curvy to mean an hour glass silhouette.

Marilyn Monroe was tiny and very curvy!

@TheOtherBoelynGirl

I mean, how many times a day do you go around telling people you're curvy that this is an issue? I'd be about similar to you (not sure as haven't checked my measurements in a million years) but who cares really

Exactly this.

I don't think 'bigger women' have taken it over, that movement it just to find language that's less designed for anyone over a certain size not to despise themselves. Just because you're slim doesn't mean you're not curvy, if you have curves (which you do) you're curvy.

To be honest I think all of this idealised body type stuff is very unhelpful. Right now the media wants everyone to have huge bums and tiny waists.... What happens if you aren't this? You can magic it.

If you're not curvy are you less feminine?

Larger women have been made to feel crap about their bodies for years... So if they want to say curvy let them!

You're happy with your body and you're probably what society deems a perfect body...

Can't magic it **

Marilyn Monroe was a size 16.

Thanks to vanity sizing though, a size 16 back then is the equivalent of a size 8 now. You can tell by looking at pictures of MM that she wasn't a size 16 by today's standards. She was definitely curvy though.

I think that’s an urban myth. I think she was pretty teeny.
www.mentalfloss.com/article/66536/what-dress-size-was-marilyn-monroe-actually

Marilyn Monroe was NOT a size 16.

Not an old size 16, not a new size 16, not a UK 16, not a US 16, not anything remotely resembling a size 16.

I cannot believe people are still spouting this nonsense.

www.snopes.com/fact-check/marilyn-monroe-size/

www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/04/marilyn-monroe-was-not-even-close-to-a-size-12-16/

themarilynmonroecollection.com/marilyn-monroe-true-size/

I don’t think anyone has the monopoly on use of the word! It means different things to different people.

In my husband’s culture (Caribbean) curvy would not be a size 8, even if you have boobs and a bum. It would mean ‘thick’ - generous hips, bum, thighs. Probably size 12/14+.

I think of curvy as a classic hourglass shape or if someone with a bit of meat on their bones. So both, really.

All this focus on the female body isn’t healthy, though. Who really cares how Joe Bloggs on the street defines your shape?

@LouiseBelchersBunnyEars

I’m with you, but it’s been taken over to mean ‘plus size’ I always think of curvy to mean an hour glass silhouette.

Marilyn Monroe was tiny and very curvy!

Marilyn was absolutely not tiny

Does it matter?

Weird thing to concern yourself about. And when do you describe yourself as curvy except if you're trying to catch someone's eye on Tinder or wherever.

No one has stolen 'curvy' from you. Relax.

I am an hourglass - it's a feckin pain trying to find clothes to fit. Calling me curvy doesn't change that frustration. If larger women choose to refer to themselves as curvy and it makes them feel good I'm all for it.

Marilyn was a size 8.

I agree with OP.

There are two issues. First, if you are plus-sized but describing yourself as 'Curvy' to justify that you are carrying quite a few extra kg, you're not doing yourself favours healthwise.

Secondly, if you are at a normal size and weight but have an hourglass figure, you might interpret a comment about your 'curves' as an insult.

If you look at vintage sewing patterns, the bust, waist and hip sizes for dress sizes are way smaller than the measurements for the same sizes today.

Pressing issues indeed.

Totally agree with your definition of curvy OP. Curvy to me means an hourglass type shape. Not a synonym for being overweight/obese.

It is a pressing issue if women or girls who are told they are 'curvy' interpret it as an euphemism for being busty and having a big bum.

We're not allowed to fat-shame but the skinny-shaming goes on.

"Marilyn was absolutely not tiny"

She had a 24" waist and weighed less than 8 and a half stone, that's certainly not big!

"We're not allowed to fat-shame but the skinny-shaming goes on."

Oh boo hoo, no one cares about skinny shaming, it's not the same thing at all, and everyone fat shames all.the.time.

Good grief.

What kind of ninny would a curvy size 8 need to be if she was unable to differentiate between herself and a size 22 who also described themselves as curvy?

Oh yes, a most Pressing Issue!

The odd comment can be enough to trigger an eating disorder.