There are positives and negatives when it comes to having some extra curves below the waist. I'm stereotyping here, but from various girlfriends' opinions, it would seem that Latin men and African-American men appreciate booty curves more than the traditional white guys. Now, thanks to J.Lo, Beyonce, Rhianna, and Coco (that's Ice T's girl), the trend is hopefully changing, and more men of all races can appreciate girls with a little more junk in the trunk.
Wikipedia describes curvier girls as "full-figured or Rubenesque - the latter term referring to the art of Peter Paul Rubens, best known for portraying full-bodied women," and "Voluptuous and zaftig," which "usually connote ripeness, sensuality, and a body shape involving large breasts and wide hips."
In years past, being curvy was associated with fertility, which equated to sex appeal as well as the ability to bear children. Men were attracted to curves. With the advent of mainstream television media and print media, curvy girls took a backseat to super-thin supermodels and TV actresses. Along with this came pressure to be thin, and many girls suffered eating disorders and resorted to unhealthy lifestyle choices trying reach an unrealistic physical size.
Today, one hopes, women are learning to embrace their curves and become comfortable with their outward beauty while focusing on valuing their inward beauty as well. The quest for real outward beauty is ultimately a losing battle with time and environmental elements. However, on a daily basis, we do the best we can with what we have, and learn to dress or apply makeup in ways that benefit our individual features. We also can try to eat and exercise in a healthy way. Lastly, it's not just a cliche that we must love and accept ourselves before we can love another.
That being said, women have an amazing ability to empower one another through encouragement, rather than being catty and tearing one another apart. As a curvy female, I want to share with you my favorite jeans that will make you feel sexy and help you to embrace those curves that God gave you!
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Article comments
1 - Nabanita
Women look cool either way. Curvy is nice and so is the healthy athletic lean body. In India, as far as jeans are concerned, Levis is the prefect choice for curvy women because they have this particular shape that can accentuate the curves rather than let loose.
2 - Girl in Pants that Fit
I think it's kinda strange you felt compelled to give your measurements. You're obviously beautiful. But why point out that your tiny size is actually considered heavy? Sigh. Anyhoo, curvy girls, another great pant to try is the Julie pants at Ann Taylor LOFT. They come in a size 4 too. It's not about the size, it's about the cut.
3 - unconventionalpamela kay
Thanks for the feedback, Girl in Pants that Fit. I appreciate the question regarding my measurements. I gave my measurements as a guideline for gals to help them determine their own size for the jeans I suggested. Many times, I find that the manufacturers measurements don't always fit, because for my overall size, I have more booty to contend with than some brands account for. Thank you for the compliment about my beauty, but I have good days and bad, as most girls do. Having a professional do my hair and makeup makes a big difference. Otherwise, we all just try to do the best with what we have on the outside. Helping each other along the way. The inner beauty and how we feel about ourselves is most important! :)
4 - Elvira Black
What you said about ethnic preferences seems to ring true, though I think overall curvier women (and their admirers) are starting to come out of the closet--the former emerging with more stlish and flattering offerings--since larger has gone mainstream.
As a Manhattan transplant, living in the Bronx the past two years has been a very empowering experience. I'm in a heavily Latino/African American/other ethnic environment, and women of all shapes ande sizes let it all hang out unashamedly. I never felt comfortable aobut my booty til I moved here...now I'm proud of it.
When I went to Manhattan the other day, though (around the Metropolitan Museum area), it almost seemed like you had to get a special dispensation to enter the borough if you weighed more than 90 pounds soaking wet.
Fashions do change: when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, what was considered ideal is now often thought of as too bony. It also helps that older women are also being appreciated.
Thanks for an enlightening and informative piece, though I agree you are hardly heavy by any stretch of the imagination.
5 - unconventionalpamelakay
Nice to hear from you, Elvira! Proud of you for embracing your womanly curves! Stay sexy and confidant! xoxo
6 - Vi
unconventionalpamelakay, thanks for this article. I may share very similar measurements to you and have the hardest time finding jeans. Thanks for your suggestion and just bringing people of our size to the spotlight for a second. ;)
7 - unconventionalpamelakay
Thank you, Vi! Glad to know you can relate to the message I tried to share! After many years of wasted dollars on jeans that would just sit on the shelf, I'm glad to know that a few designers are giving us options to look and feel both comfortable and sexy!!
8 - Jill
Thank you for the suggestions! I'm a curvy size 4 since having 3 kids. It's so hard to find jeans that don't gap in the back, and because I'm rather small and not plus-sized, I'm not taken seriously and it seems like no one can relate.
9 - Nicole
Thank you for posting this!! It's so hard to find good jeans when you have a few curves! My measurements are almost identical to yours and it really helped to know what sizes work for you!
10 - Unconventionalpamelakay
Thank you, my sexy curvy girls. I knew I wasn't alone trying to find jeans that wouldn't gap and that didn't have blocky fitting legs or pockets set up so high, my "assets" looked overly large! ;) I've tried a few cheaper brands, but AG jeans are my stand by for hip/low waist that fits, slim thighs and great pocket placement. Paige Premium Denims aren't bad, either, but AG is worth the money. Once you know your true size, you can find them half price on ebay on occasion. I've got a few pair I've worn for almost three years. Wash them inside out for the color to last longer. :)
11 - Melissa.
After reading through your article, all of your hardships, and struggles, and the mocking only to find that you're a size 6??
As much as I appreciate your suggestions for these jean brands, please lighten up on suggesting that you're as big as I am. I'm only 18 and I can't get past a size 11 despite my 'young metabolism', constant dieting, and gaining even more weight after going to the gym religiously.
While this article was informing I can't help but feel just a little more inferior after reading.
Thanks.
12 - unconventionalpamelakay
Hey Melissa! Thank you for your heartfelt honesty in your comment. You sound like you are too hard on yourself and I've been there, too. Regardless of your "size" or mine, what matters most is that you love who you are and focus on YOU. I too, struggled with weight flucuations and concern over others opinions of me when I was your age.
At 40, I no longer do so. I love motivational speaker, Les Brown's comment. He said, "Don't let someone else's opinion of you determine your reality." However, many times we are harder on ourselves than anyone could possibly be on us.
Bill Phillips wrote a book many years ago called "Body for Life" and has a newer version called "Transformation". It changed my life and the way I looked at weightloss, myself and my curves. It focuses on progress and not perfection along with physical there is a mental and emotional transformation that occurs.
If I can help you in anyway, feel free to leave me another message.
Love and peace to you, pam
13 - savannah
i have really similar measurements, although it sounds like my thighs might be larger, and lucky brand lola jeans are my go to. they fit amazingly, and the're somewhat reasonably priced i'd say. thanks for the advice, i'm excited to try paige and ag :)
14 - Tiny and sometimes frustrated
Thanks so much for the article. It was very nice to find an article a obout jeans for curvy meaning curvy, not curvy meaning plus sized. ( but of course you can be both!) I have always thought curvy to mean a larger than average ratio of waist to hips to chest, but somehow the term is changing in the fashion industry. I'm well under five feet and a size 0, but I have about an 11 inch difference in the measurements. It's so hard to find brands that truly do curvy well. I will be heading to the local AG store tomorrow. :)
15 - lisa
This article was unreal! thank you thank you thank you! I as well audition with the size zero's and am considered heavy in my profession, so its nice to be able to look for something that fits me and not try to be something I am not; going to look for AG jeans tomorrow! thanks again
16 - valerielynnetee
thank you for this article! i have been looking for the perfect jeans.
17 - Noa
I am definitely in the curvy camp.
18 - Phil
Thanks you made holiday shopping alot easier.