What happened to the Bombshells?
March 9th, 2009 by Queen of RomanceNot so long ago, what was considered sexy was considerably different than today’s perception. I was watching a TV show recently and something struck me as odd. It took me a while to figure out that the romantic female lead was…big. She was not skinny and it seemed wrong. That internal realization was followed by: “WHAT? Am I seriously thinking that?” In this case, there was probably more to it, perhaps there was no chemistry in the onscreen romance or maybe she was miscast in a role she didn’t fit, but the impression stuck and got me thinking.
Credit: Thomas Roche
Sexy women of the past were pretty healthy. Marilyn Monroe, for example, was a size 12-14. Would she have the same magic on the screen today? I’d like to think so, but I doubt it. The glamour girls of the past, like Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch and Betty Grable, all had hips and boobs. Big ones. They were not sticks with implants, and they knew how to bring the heat.
Could that be the problem? Are bigger girls today so self conscious that they can’t come across as sexy? It seems like when they do try and come across as sexy, it often seems overdone and aggressive and sort of slutty. Unnatural, like they’re trying to convince you they’re sexy. Sexy has to come from confidence. I think this anorexic-as-sexy thing started with runway models and spilled over to TV and print advertising and into acting, and now it’s everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating unhealthy fat. People should eat right and exercise, but also embrace the fact that skinny isn’t the ideal for everyone.
On Monday night I was watching Rules of Engagement on CBS and it occurred to me that actress Bianca Kajlich is a big girl. She’s tall and she has a lot of shape. She’s also delightful, confident, gorgeous and an undeniable vixen. Co-star of the ensemble cast, Megyn Price, portraying the long-time married friend, offers a realistic body image in a sexy and appealing way as well.
Racquel Welch, now in her 70s, remains glamorous and shapely to this day. Twiggy is 60 this year and I find I like her much better with a little meat on her bones. I think girls should look like girls, and not like adolescent boys. What do you think? Is the time right for a return to the real woman? Hey, Tyra’s season 13 of America’s Next Top Model is going to feature short girls. The times, they are a-changin’. I think I like it.
Tags: Betty Grable, Bianca Kajlich, curvy women, glamour girls, Megyn Price, Racquel Welch, sexy women, Sophia Loren, Twiggy, Tyra Banks
