"body shapers", bah.

[keryx]

I'm on the mailing list for Kiyonna, a store that sells somewhat pricey dresses and stuff. I'm not really sure why I'm on their list, as I've never bought anything there (I'm sure I subscribed at some point, I just don't know why).

They have been really hyping their Body Shaper / 'control' clothing lately. I know plenty of people think such things are The Shit in certain limited circumstances (i.e. formal dresses), but I find them deeply annoying. I find them even more annoying, somehow, when marketed to fat women, because I think I hold us to higher standards of beauty-culture defiance (which other fat folk have proven to me time and time again is a mistake).

The annoying thing, to me, is of course the idea that the body (the female body, of course - seen any "control top" men's undies lately?) needs to be shaped and controlled. Of course shaping and controlling is massively uncomfortable, but who cares! It's your duty to be sucked in and clear of all signs that you might be wearing underwear! What, is a woman's outward appearance just supposed to be magicked that way?

Gah. On the other hand, the idea of fishnets that don't make your butt feel all funny later is rather cool. I wonder if you can get those without the "control" aspect?

Comments

[vaspider]

(the female body, of course - seen any "control top" men's undies lately?)

Actually? Yes.

[vaspider]

Which, mind you, does not mean I disagree with your general point, though I tend to like the whole-body shapers with stockings on, if only because they seem to be the only way I can wear stockings without feeling like I'm being bisected.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

Touche. Though I would contend they're not nearly as widely marketed, given that I'd never heard of such things that weren't fetishwear.

[snidegrrl.livejournal.com]

About the second time I almost peed myself because the thing was controlling MY BLADDER a little too much I ditched it. That would also be the second time I wore it.

Worst idea ever.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

It made you PEE? Yikes. I think I'll stick with the bladder control I have, thanks. :)

[snidegrrl.livejournal.com]

It didn't make me pee, but it tried to!!!

[originalenid.livejournal.com]

Yes. YES. Exactly. YES! I hate how at Torrid they're selling body-controlling devices (as well as pop size accepting books with plenty of double speak and health concerns). Hellooo Foucault.

Also, I think the moment I fell out of love with BUST magazine was when they printed a fat girl fashion advice column from a chubby burlesque troupe and they said that girdles were a god-send and the solution to countless fat fashion problems.

I, personally, refuse to wear girdles on principle. Obviously. ;)

[rackletang.livejournal.com]

I agree in principle, though my formalwear decrees that I disagree in practice. *shrug*

I'm happy that they're starting to market these things in my size, because they're hell to find right now. But then, I've been frustrated by the lack of choices in my size for decades. When I can find the same shit in all sizes, and not have to pay a "fat tax"? That, to me, is fashion justice.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I hear ya.

Although, ya know, I think the control clothes and the fat tax/lack of clothes if you're fat thing are closely connected. So when the fat tax goes away, there might be no market need for control garments in any size.

[rackletang.livejournal.com]

Indeed, you may be right... Still, a smooth line under my little black dress remains my personal quest. But that's just me.

[wilfulcait.livejournal.com]

I wear the dance-style fishnets (that is, strong enough to actually catch fish in), and I wear them over a pair of skin-colored spandex dance tights so that they don't dig in. Makes them much more comfortable.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I used to wear fishnets over tights of various colors all the time - it is more comfortable, and a good idea now that it's getting colder. I don't know why I never remember that!

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

i do that all the time (because, hairy legs) and it does look so pretty when you use colored tights! it also prevents the toe strangulation thing.