Shallow I know, but Sarah Brown has appalling dress sense and a terrible figure.

[moondog]

FGS woman, loser a bit of weight and get some nice gear.You're supposed to be representing us.

Just read OP, so apologies if am repeating other people's sentiments (though hope I am).

Yes, you are shallow. And your comment is nasty. Do you really have nothing better to comment on? It makes me sad when women do this to other women.

agree pointy

Bloody bloody hell.

You see, I look at you lot who think ANY woman has a duty to appear in any way whatsoever and I think less of you.

Those who feel so strongly about it as to post sound like anxious LA aspirationals.

In fact, there are many women who just don't worry about the things you worry about. They are living vibrant inner and outer lives and have no time for adolescent panic. Their currency is based on doing, not 'looking'.

Hm. Women believing very thin is normal and becoming fatter than ever is not contradictory. Lots of evidence shows that dieting makes people fat.

But let's please separate out the question of SB's dress choices and the notion that she is fat. I think they are quite different with quite different implications.

I think it's true that in the UK we are almost conditioned to see overweight as normal. I googled for some statistics, and found this:

ADULT OBESE POPULATION
Nauru 78.5%
Tonga 56.0%
Saudi Arabia 35.6%
United Arab Emirates 33.7%
United States 32.2%
Bahrain 28.9%
Kuwait 28.8%
Seychelles 25.1%
Seychelles 25.1%
United Kingdom 24.2%

There are simply MORE overweight and obese people in the UK. A quarter of the adult population is obese. That's just frightening, isn't it?

My theory is that this explains why Anna is spluttering in Paris and Wilf sees SB's weight as normal.

agree wilf.

More than what Quattro? More than when? Compared to who else? What do those figures tell me exactly?

More than in France, sorry. That's the top 10 countries for obesity.

Yes Kerry, we all agree I think that she chose badly, and her dress sense is questionable.

I do not deny there is a problem with people being overweight with damaging health consequences. I struggle with my own weight A LOT and am unhealthily overweight.

But I really think the critics on this thread need to get a grip and separate out the measures they are assessing her against.

Are they concerned for her health or the impact on the NHS or even properly assessing whether this is an issue? No. They're fecking well judging whether she is fit to grace the pages of Grazia and whether she offends their eye because it makes them feel thinner better to do so. It's the kind of bitchy bollocks I have never had any truck with.

Go and read Suzie Orbach. And then Susan Bordo. And come back a bit more feminist and educated.

But is it her "duty" to wear a suit which fits well?

Horrible thread. Nasty. And depressing.

I agree with you Wilf that we should not be criticising her for her weight or for her dress. Absolutely I agree with that.

That last cross patronising heartfelt suggestion not directed specifically at you Quattrocentro

but i would say the same to a bloke

Well, she clearly is expected to maintain a certaim image. Whether that is reasonable or fair is another matter...

It's her duty to look smart if nothing else, we never even saw Fergie with all her fashion faux pas back fat or knickers digging in, it's just very undignified.

You know NAO, we say we would say the same about a bloke, but we so rarely do...

Nah, you'd beat me hands down on Susie Orbach - although I did once read Fat is a Feminist Issue - which talks a lot of sense IMO

Sorrento. I hope you will remember this comment on 'dignity' when in your later years you might lose yours a bit here and there and wonder whether it matters. For fucks sake.

Don't mistake dignity for social anxiety.

I am unlikely to be on the front page of newspapers around the world though with or without my dignity and I have also had three children and haven't let myself go, she needs to sort it out, she's embarrassing.