Be body confident

Curve conscious? Curvy ladies were celebrated in the 50s & 60s!

What I want to know is when did our society go from wanting to look like the woman on the right (picture inset) to wanting to look like the woman on the left? 

Nowadays the skinny waif look is hugely sought after. Blogs and forums with the idea of 'thinspiration' at their forefront dominate social media. Images of 'thigh gaps' and hipbones are splashed across websites such as tumblr as the 'ideal'. Thighs that don't touch seem to be the be all and end all for the majority of girls. What most of them don't know however, is that essentially having a 'gap' between your thighs is pretty much only achievable in those who are malnourished or with a slightly splayed pelvis. Not so hot now, right?

Back in the 1950s being curvy was hugely celebrated. Women who were a size 14-16 were seen as the epitome of sexiness. There were huge ad campaigns for weight gain aids. The average woman was seen as too skinny and not attractive to the male perspective. It was all about the bum, boobs and waist, the much sought after hourglass figure. 

Women like Eva Six, below, a Hungarian model were the pin ups for women and men alike. 

Images of curvy, happy, confident women dominated Old Hollywood in the 50s and 60s and women dressed for their shape. They didn't wear baggy, ill fitting clothes, they cinched in their waists and showed off their bosoms with pride! They celebrated their womanly figures, as we still celebrate Marilyn Monroe or Bettie Page, or even Jayne Mansfield for capturing the essence of womanly sensuality and femininity. 

Women have become so focused on equality and the idea that to be treated like men, we must be as strong, and as fit as men, that they cannot stop this overkill of 'fitspiration', the gym, protein, 'fitblrs', and documenting every step of exercise or weight loss. When did we forget to celebrate and revel in our sexuality and gender in what separated us from the men? Of course, I believe in being fit and healthy but I think there is far too much focus and pressure to be skinny, and to be honest, I'd rather have my cake and eat it too. 

Stay sexy! xoxo