Pencil Skirts and Curvy Women: A Special Kind of Sexy



As you may know, my last post a pretty upsetting one. It was all about fashion shoots that portray women in peril, being raped, or even dead. It was not at all pleasant to write that post. It may seem odd after looking at all those images of objectified women, that my spontaneous reaction the next day was to create an outfit much sexier than my usual outfits. But, when you think about it, it's not so odd at all. Here's why.

We have all encountered men who call us prudes when we object to degrading, sexualized images of women in the media. Such men think it's their right to define what makes a woman sexual and sexy and what makes her a "prude." If we don't enjoy sexuality on their terms, they think that we must hate sex itself. How absurd! I think, in creating this sexy outfit, I unconsciously wanted to grab hold of my sexuality, my sexiness, and own it, on my terms, in my own way.

And so: a light, sexy post, in bright red for happiness -- and for power.

Sweater: Active; Shirt: TanJay Petites; Skirt: Old Navy; Belt: boutique; Sunglasses: Aldo; Shoes, watch, earrings, bracelet, and brooch: vintage

It felt very daring to show this much (this many?) of my curves. When I saw the skirt at Old Navy, I decided to be brave and buy it, but I almost sent it back when I saw how it looks on me. Beau loved it, of course, but could I ever be that brave in public? Yikes! Instead of sending it back, I kept the skirt in this size and also got it one size larger, so I could wear the same skirt when I'm feeling less brave.

I also turned the skirt around so that the slit is at the back and not the front. This just makes sense for a disabled woman who often uses a wheeled mobility device: the front slit would allow my underwear to show when I'm using my mobility scooter and that's just not okay with me.

As I dressed, I was thinking of Christina Hendricks in Mad Men, naturally. 

I wore a 60s brooch (which was my grandmother's) ...

... and a little office sweater to complete the look.

Who wouldn't want to emulate Christina Hendricks? She wins, of course, in the being Christina Hendricks thing.

My hair is auburn. (Also: look at my watch.)

Her hair is full-on red. (Also: Look at her watch. Notice a resemblance?)

I have an hourglass figure ... 

... and a large bosom.

But her hourglass is a little fuller than mine.

I'm not complaining, mind you. Neither is Beau. As he took this photo, he made a pretty racy comment about how much he likes my figure in this outfit. Thus my laughter.

In fact, I couldn't get him to stop taking photos ...

... getting near me, touching me, and admiring me from all angles. I like that in a fiancé. 

His desire to take a lot of photos led to this cool, artsy one, which is now officially one of my all-time favourites. 

I really felt sexy, beautiful, playful, and powerful -- on my own terms. Even I, with all my insecurities, noticed men glancing at me appreciatively on the street.

Their glances made it very clear that young and skinny is not the only kind of sexy.

Jayne Mansfield

It never has been.

Nigella Lawson

It never will be.

Mary Lambert

Ever.

The curvy woman in the pencil skirt or pencil dress is a wonderful thing.

I don't want to diss skinny women like this model, but this is a look that works better on curves.

Marilyn Monroe

Wouldn't you agree?

It looks good from the front.

And it looks good from the back too!

Marilyn Monroe

As the boys in Some Like It Hot say adoringly when they first see Marilyn from the rear, "It's like jello on springs!" 

Yay!

But what about from the side? Curves bring "thickness" and I was pretty shy about that.

Marilyn Monroe

But look! Even Marilyn Monroe had a belly. 

Jayne Mansfield on her wedding day.

As Beau says, the only way you get the curves without the belly is plastic surgery.

There are occasional exceptions, but, mostly, that's true ...

Marilyn Monroe

... especially as we hit middle age. 

Mariska Hargitay, Jayne Mansfield's daughter

But we're still sexy.

Imagine that!

Revel in that fact.

Own it!

Be proud, regardless of who is or is not looking at you. After all, it's your body and you get to love it on your own terms.

(I'm sharing this with Rachel the Hat, Modish Matrons on In The Writer's Closet, Sydney Fashion Hunter, Happiness at MidLife, Fashion Should Be Fun, Not Dressed as Lamb, and Not Dead Yet.)