B I J A N: Definition Paper

Curvy

Does my butt look big in these jeans? A lot of women have been known to ask this type of question over the years to their spouses, relatives, and friends; but what answer are they actually seeking? It may not be the obvious, “Oh no dear, you have a flat bum!” or “You have a very slim figure.” Actually, some women want their butt to look big! More and more women are looking to have curvy figures, rather than having slimmer ones. They are even going to extremes such as breast and butt implants to achieve such a body. Some people would associate the term curvy with just being a bigger woman, which is clearly not the case. Curvy doesn’t mean being fatter, bigger or plus-sized. Therefore, being considered curvy wouldn’t have too much to do with one’s weight either. It all has to do with your proportions, how your fat or weight is distributed, and your overall silhouette. To be considered curvy, you must possess an hourglass figure, prominent bust line, prominent hip measurement, a full bust, a full bum, and of course a noticeably smaller waist.

There are many different body types, specifically in women. Narrowing it down, the most common are apple (triangle downward), banana (rectangular and straight), pear (triangle upward), and hourglass (triangles opposing, facing in). Like I mentioned earlier, a lot of people who are bigger (apple shaped) would be considered “curvy”. But curvy is NOT being big or fat. From all the shapes, the one that is curviest is the hourglass (pear can be from a cultural perspective which will be discussed later.) To have an hourglass figure the hip and bust size are almost equal in size with a smaller waist. Body fat tends to be around both the upper and lower body; which would enlarge the chest, hips, and rear before the waist. Studies show that only 8 percent of 6,000 women have this figure. Having an hourglass figure is one of the biggest determining factors of having a curvy shape.

While shopping at a store called DOTS, I came across a few different fits. They have jean styles that come in 3 different fits; classy, slim, and curvy. Since these are different fits, not different sizes, this implies someone can be a bigger size and still be a slim fit while another can be a smaller size and be a curvy fit. This goes back to curvy does not mean big or fatter, just big or fatter in different places (hourglass). Curvy fits are designed to have a bigger hip area, but a smaller waist area. They also have blouses and dresses that have the same 3 fits to accommodate different body shapes in different sizes.

Sophia Loren

The perception of what is considered a “hot” or “beautiful” body has undoubtedly changed throughout the years. The most beautiful women of earlier times were over 200 pounds. Real curves really came into play when Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren were on the scene. Although Audrey was very light (weighing in at around 100 pounds) her measurements were mind blowing; a 34 inch bust, 20 inch waist and 34 inch hip. Marilyn was heavier, with measurements recorded of 37-23-36. Sophia Loren’s measurements were 38-24-38, an amazing hour glass. That is more than a ten inch difference between bust to waist ratio and waist to hip ratio. These women are still famous for their hourglass, curvy figures. But are they really curvy? These women had really phenomenal measurements, but what about the actual size of their breasts and butt? Audrey had an A cup breast size, even though she had an hourglass figure. Is that curvy? Sophia Loren had hips, but did she have a big behind? If you have an hourglass figure does it mean that you are automatically curvy?

Culturally Speaking...

Bria Myles

When asked which culture or race has the biggest behind and widest hips most will probably say African American or Black women followed by Latina women. Most of these women are generally pear shaped. Being pear shaped means you have a greater hip measurement than a bust measurement, fat tends to deposit first in the butt, hip, and thigh region. These women tend to have a larger rear and a smaller bosom. A great example is video vixen, Bria Myles, with measurements of 34-25-45. Her hip measurement is double her waist measurement making her bottom heavy. She is curvy, but only bottom curvy. She has big hips and a huge butt that sits out. Her thighs are also prominent. She really doesn’t have an hourglass shape. To men, mainly African American men she is considered “thick” and curvy even though she is only pear shaped.

Most African American men prefer women with a bigger behind and big hips. Most video vixens that are in many hip-hop videos display this type of figure. Although they wouldn’t mind a woman with a bigger bust line and a big butt, they would rather have a woman with hips and a big bum rather than a flatter bum with a bigger bust line. Black women tend to want this type of figure and agree that this is more attractive.

A lot of news portals and media that are aimed towards the African American community or urban culture primarily promote this type of figure. Most Hip-Hop music videos have woman with big busts and a bigger bum. A popular urban internet site called MediaTakeout.com always features stories about any butt or hip they can find, either claiming that it is the best body they have ever seen, or claiming that the butt we see is enhanced, especially when it comes to non-black women.

Pamela Anderson, on the other hand, is far bustier than Bria Myles, with narrower hips and a small behind. She is more top heavy and top curvy. Although she is considered an hourglass because of her measurements of 36-22-34, she really looks narrower in the hips because of her huge cup size. If she stands sideways, her butt isn’t prominent at all. She has a curvy bust line, and to many she is considered curvy, but is she?

Caucasian men tend to lean toward a woman who is slim with larger breasts. A lot of Caucasian people would agree that it is ideal for a woman to have bigger breasts with a slim figure, hence Victoria Secret models. The “Does my butt look big in this?” originates from this type of thought. Many white women feel that having big hips and a big butt is considered fat. They feel that they need to have a slim figure with bigger boobs. Megan Fox is considered to have a very nice body; she had breast implants which put her measurements at 34C-26-24, very slim at the hips. Both cultures however, agree that a smaller waist is important for overall attractiveness.

Top Heavy Vs Bottom Heavy

Like pointed out earlier, different people have different definitions of curvy. A lot of women are bottom heavy with a smaller bosom and a lot of other women are top heavy with a smaller butt; so which one of these is curvy? Both have been and will continue to be considered curvy. I think that they are curvy too, but rather top heavy or bottom heavy. I don’t consider them as curvy as an hourglass with a full bust and full hip and butt, but just curvy in some places. In order for them to become curvier they must either gain more hip or more bust, but until then they are basically just top or bottom heavy curvy.

Kim Kardashian

Another important thing to note is that there are actually top or bottom heavy hourglass shapes. Instead of being primarily top heavy or perhaps pear shaped, you are an hourglass with either a bigger bust line or a bigger hip. A perfect example of this is Kim Kardashian. She is a bottom heavy hourglass figure. Her measurements are 34-26-39, with a D cup bust. She has a curvy body because she is an hourglass with a big bust, but a bigger butt.

Is it All about the Hourglass?

Clearly, you need to have some type of hourglass figure to be curvy, but there is more to it. What if a woman is broad at the chest with an A cup, small at the waist, and wide at the hips with a very flat butt. Is she still curvy? Considering curves means that you have a prominent bust line and prominent behind, measurements by themselves won’t do it. This woman clearly would have an amazing hourglass shape, but in reality she isn’t really curvy because she isn’t really full in these regions. She may look promising when looking at her frontal view, but since we live in a 3 dimensional world (or 4 dimensional, since many people have disputed this) we have to consider all dimensions.

Sometimes a woman may look slim, but she still may be busty and have a bigger bum. Usually, the bust line and butt will automatically give her an hourglass shape and she will look and be curvy. Therefore, actual measurement may become deceiving. In some cases where it won’t give her an hourglass figure, then it really isn’t as prominent as needed for her to be considered curvy. She may just have a really nice bust and butt, but ultimately she isn’t really considered curvy.

Toccara Jones

Everyone mentioned has a waistline in the 20 inch range, but being curvy doesn’t mean you have to be necessarily small. Toccara Jones is a plus size model with measurements of 46-30-46. She is curvy because her waist is still smaller than her rather large bust and behind. Curvy really has nothing to do with weight or actual overall body size, but rather the proportions of one’s body.

Implants and the Ideal

Nicki Minaj

The need for curves is becoming more and more popular. Breast implants have been extremely popular and they still are, but now there are even more surgeries that can make a woman curvier. Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, and a lot of models are being accused of having butt implants or butt injections done to make their behind look voluptuous and curvy. I think the need for curves for those who desire them is because it helps them feel extremely confident. I think being curvy to these women is very important and affects their self esteem a lot; the same goes for a woman who wants to be thin, or even a male who wants to be “well-endowed.” Even though plastic surgery is a bit extreme, to get an ACTUAL curvy figure, it is necessary if your genes simply don’t fit in the category.

So who is the curviest, most hourglass figure I could find? Mrs. Nicole “COCO” Austin whose measurements are 39-23-40; she is definitely the definition of curvy. She has an hourglass shape with big breasts and a big behind. It has been speculated that she has gotten butt implants, although she never admits to them, however she does admit to having breast implants. Either way she is extremely curvy and she knows it.

Nicole "COCO" Austin

Real women have Curves

Instead of throwing the word curvy around to define someone who is out of shape, fat, chubby, skinny, regular or whatever the case is, curvy means being curvy! You have to have certain qualities and expectations to meet. Being curvy doesn’t mean you’re fat at all. Actually your waist has to be smaller than the rest of your body. Ideally, your bust and butt are at least ten to twelve inches bigger than your waist size. Curvy comes in all sizes. You can be 100 pounds but as long as your butt and bust is clearly bigger than your waist; you are curvy. You can be 200 pounds, as long as your waist is tiny compared to your bust and derriere; you are curvy. Curvy is beautiful and beautiful are women and women are curvy!

Works Cited

"How Audrey Hepburn Ruined My Day | The Great Fitness Experiment." The Great Fitness Experiment - Fun and Crazy Fitness Antics with Uncomfortable Overshares. Web. 20 July 2011. http://www.thegreatfitnessexperiment.com/2009/02/how-audrey-hepburn-ruined-my-day.html.
"The Hourglass Figure List." Listal - List the Stuff You Love! Movies, TV, Music, Games and Books. Web. 20 July 2011. http://www.listal.com/list/the-hourglass-figure.
"Female Body Shape." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 July 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_body_shape.
Clark, By Kevin. "Bria Myles | Buffie The Body, Nicki Minaj, Hip Hop Honeys & Video Girls | HipHop DX." For New Hip Hop Music, Hip Hop News & All Things Rap & Hip Hop | HipHop DX. Web. 20 July 2011. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/beauty-brains/id.3/title.bria-myles.

"Pamela Anderson." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 July 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Anderson>.

"Megan Fox Height, Megan Fox Weight and Measurements." Hollywood Actress Pictures, Hot Hollywood Actresses Photos & Wallpapers. Web. 20 July 2011. http://www.hollywoodactress.org/Megan-Fox-Height-And-Weight.php

Photos

"Bria Myles." Bria Myles. Web. 20Jul 2011. http://www.briamyles.com/.

"Sophia Loren." Web. 20 Jul 2011. http://www.listal.com/list/the-hourglass-figure.

"Kim Kardashian." Web. 20 Jul 2011. http://cannemma.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/kim-kardashian-bikini-1-02.jpg.