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...

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

Be a poppet and try not shaming anyone, fat or slim.

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

Which odd comment?

@WagnerTheWehrWolf, @TheOtherBoelynGirl

We shouldn't comment on anyone's size.
Your posts are irritating.

lol, of course it isn't pressing issue, it's a thread on the Style & Beauty section of mumsnet, it's entirely trivial!!!! But this is a discussion forum for all things, not just those things that change the world.

@ILoveShula

Commenting on how someone's posts are irritating could trigger a mental illness.

We shouldn't comment on how irritating people are.

@WagnerTheWehrWolf @TheOtherBoelynGirl I have to agree with @ILoveShula. As someone who has been fairly small my whole life (pretty scrawny when I was a kid but never dangerously underweight or anything) I know first hand how comfortable people I barley know are in commenting on my body.

"is that all you're eating! no wonder you're so skinny"
"gosh, if I ate like that I would be ginormous"
"you know men much prefer something to hold onto"
"you're like a rake"
"you look anorexic"
"I'd much rather have these curves than a body like a teenage boy"
"you should get some meat on your bones"

and so on... If I had been overweight there is no way it would have been acceptable for the equivalent comments to be made. I know fat shaming exists and it's terrible, but that doesn't mean derogatory comments about slimmer people don't hurt or have an effect.

@SummaLuvin

OK and how much have you actually suffered because of that?

Like I said, I'm about the same size as you and have had the same comments. I don't care. I have a totally socially acceptable figure that is commented on often as being hot/desirable/sexy/whatever. Why do I care if a few people tell me to eat a burger? We all know they don't actually think I look bad so how does it impact me?

Why has this suddenly become about why some people think it's okay to fat shame because some people have been skinny shamed?

I don't shame anyone for their size. It's a strategy that's worked well for me. Maybe try it?

Actually I'm a size 8, and it has impacted my life. I've been called anorexic. I've had social services involvement due to my children having SEN. The school my not dc attends decided that a child protection SS referral was me as necessary and (absurdly) used a thread I posted on MN as evidence. Social workers arrived at my house, children's disability team took over the referral. Part of the investigation involved me proving I wasn't underweight and didn't have an eating disorder. So yes, other people's baseless opinions can have an impact on your life.

"Actually I'm a size 8, and it has impacted my life. I've been called anorexic. I've had social services involvement due to my children having SEN. The school my not dc attends decided that a child protection SS referral was me as necessary and (absurdly) used a thread I posted on MN as evidence. Social workers arrived at my house, children's disability team took over the referral. Part of the investigation involved me proving I wasn't underweight and didn't have an eating disorder. So yes, other people's baseless opinions can have an impact on your life."

Riiiiight, first, that didn't happen and second it doesn't impact on people's lives in the same way being fat does so chill.

This is so cringe. How many times have you had a conversation in which you've labelled yourself as curvy only to be knocked back.

Well essentially you're right, if what you mean is that the word 'curvy' is now often used as a euphemism for fat rather than as a description of a woman with an hourglass figure. But it is totally normal for language use to change like that. There's nothing you can do to change the word curvy back to its former meaning, but there's also no way other people can dictate whether you decide to call yourself curvy or not!

'Why do you want to apply for this job as Operations Manager?'

'Well, as a curvy girl with a passion for increasing productivity in the manufacturing sector...'

I think curvy is hourglass with good sized breasts and bum. I always thought I was curvy but since losing weight I have learned I am actually rectangular! To be curvy I think it's necessary to have a very well defined waist and hip ratio, small waist and bigger hips. Imo someone who is apple shape could never be defined as curvy for that reason. However, lots of larger apple shaped ladies do define their shape as curvy. Guess each to their own. Fwiw, I agree with your definition of curvy.

Can't curvy include women of all shapes and sizes? I'm very plus sized but still have a curvy shape, massive boobs and shapely legs. Equally my size 12 friend is very curvy, big bum and boobs with a small waist. It doesn't have to be only plus size or only size 8 hour glass surely?

Actually Marilyn Monroe probably was a 16 in the day. I have dresses bought by my late great aunt in the 1950s and 60s that say 16 on the label, which fit me, and I'm a bosomy size 10-12 (or S/M) in M&S now. Vanity sizing is real.

@XingMing Try reading the three links that I posted already in this thread. No, she wasn't.

Yes, vanity sizing is real.

No, Marilyn Monroe was not a sodding size 16.

@TheOtherBoelynGirl , it absolutely did happen. But I'll leave you to you're own little world, where if you haven't experienced it, it didn't happen.

I've never experienced fat shaming, but I don't doubt that it happens.
But I can't be bothered to argue with stupid

Marilyn’s Measurements and Weight
Available documentation verifies Marilyn’s height and weight at several different times during her life, and her first modeling contract verifies her measurements:

Marilyn-Monroe-Hourglass-Figure
August 2, 1945
Blue Book Modeling Agency
5’ 6”, 120lbs
36-24-34
“Size 12”

That's US size 12, so probably UK size 16.

5'6" and 8st 8lbs - pretty tiny

Curvy? Yes.
Plus-sized? No

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

Come off it, this is clearly aimed to be antagonising. No one cares what your measurements are, they probably just want you to stop talking about them.

MM was a size 16 for sizing THEN. Christ my measurements 20 years ago (as we are bragging apparently) were 34 25 35 and l was a size 12. I would be an 8-10 if l were that size now.

Curvy is about having an hourglass or a pear shape - it’s all about wide hips and a tiny waist. Boobs are actually irrelevant as you can still be curvy without them if you have a desirable hip to waist ratio.

In fact, you’re supposed be as slim as possible whilst having fat in the right places. I think Kylie Jenner/Kim Kardashian are a good example of this (albeit they’ve had surgery). They have flat stomachs, slim legs, slim arms etc. They’re not big all over.

Kim and Kylie are cartoon women.

Examples here