Having the Body for It
A few months back, there was quite a discussion on fashion blogs about the size 16 over in the UK winning a beauty pageant. She was depicted wearing a bikini and the images went completely unairbrushed – she had those same awkward bits of fat in the armpits and a little bit of a tummy because she was making a point about her body. A valid point – it’s her body, and whatever other people may think, it’s her choice to show it. Ultimately, she won the beauty contest, and it sent a powerful message about the irrelevance of size in determining beauty. Naturally, it upset a lot of people who build their careers on the perception of fat as ugly.
One of the discussions that recurred on blogs about this bikini shot was whether Chloe “had the body for it.” Now, I know this isn’t timely given the furor, but I wanted to have time to think about it because not just body image but body presentation are so heavily politicized in this particular sector of the blogosphere. It’s hard to say whether someone “has a body” for a bikini, or a tankini, or blue jeans. While I certainly have strong opinions about what looks good or bad on certain body types, it’s a complex equation, not a simple matter of “if you are a pear, you must wear x, or an apple b, and don’t you dare Mix Fruits!” The factors are myriad: sure body, complexion, and above all, personality. Especially since there are personalities that seem to warp reality and make some of the strangest things somehow… work. It isn’t a talent for mere mortals, just those touched by the fashion-fairy wand.
From looking at this photograph, I think Chloe has a fine body. I have no objection to her wearing a bikini, I simply think she needs a better fitting top; this is both an aesthetic and a health concern – good support in your early years leads to a much better relationship with your breasts later on in life, and that bikini top is not supportive.
Would I personally wear a bikini, given my body shape and size? Oh hell no. I wore a bikini when I was 4 and I was uncomfortable with it then. Left unattended, I’d totally go straight for the 1920s swimsuits – except that I’d actually swim in them, which from what I gather was not their intended purpose.
(Actually, in this image, it was intended for swimming. This Australian woman designed this swimsuit – and notice that she ain’t tiny.)
I don’t have the personality required for a bikini. It’s partly because of some ideas about modesty I have peculiar to myself that leave me fine with running around topless (not something I typically do) but that leaves me uncomfortable waving my butt around for examination. I even still spend a lot of time pulling down short skirts when I wear them.
But would I consider condemning myself, Chloe, or anyone else with “You don’t have the body for it?”
In Chloe’s case, I think she actually does have the body for it, to be honest. And yes, I think I would say that I do NOT have the body for it – my belly is too big, and although I’m more or less at peace with the rest of me, I would feel the need for restraint.
This leads me to my question: why do we see the bikini as the symbol that proves something about our attitudes towards our bodies? If it’s just to demonstrate our confidence in how we look warts and all, wouldn’t it be physically more comfortable just to hit a nude beach?