The Miniskirt

by Elizabeth Lemuz

Clker

     I was recently reading an article in the Huffington Post about miniskirts and how they have become “socially acceptable” over time. It describes how major fashion lines, like Channel, were not at all impressed with the idea of a mini skirt. The article states, “Where there’s sex appeal, there’s controversy.” Why is that?

     The idea of women wearing more revealing clothing has created so many problems over time. Many people believe that by showing more skin there is a higher risk of being assaulted. There are so many things around us that support this argument and there are others that go against it.

      I love fashion and I am very passionate about it. Whenever a new fashion trend comes out, I analyze it. If I don’t agree with it then I don’t support it, but I appreciate it. The mini skirt came became “acceptable” from 1969 and forward according to the article. Fashion is always changing. Who comes up with these ideas to shorten the hem of a skirt? I don’t know, but I appreciate how people think outside of the box.

      I don't think shorter hemlines and being assaulted are linked in any way. Those two thoughts are very different. Many believe that fashion is a form of free expression and I agree. I'm glad that miniskirts have become acceptable to wear in our culture today. It shows that women get to wear what makes them feel comfortable.

Citation:

"The Miniskirt: An Evolution From The '60s To Now". The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post, 2015. Web. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6894040?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

Movies Only for Women?

by Elizabeth Lemuz

Her Campus

When a new movie is coming out I don't ever really think if the movie is being advertised at women or men. I normally see the trailers and decide if it appeals to me and then I decide to go watch it.

An article by Vogue online covers the new releases that are attracting women to more movies. Some of those are Cinderella, Tomorrowland, Inside Out, Magic Mike XXL, Trainwreck, and Paper Towns. The article discusses how the movie industry has done a disservice to women lately with all the action and comic movies that have been released back-to-back.

I do say that what this article in Vogue is saying about the interest of women are narrowed down to sex and emotion. These movies all have either one of these things that are attracting the eyes of women.

I personally watched Cinderella because when I saw the trailer, I loved how the director made a classic come to life with so much color. There are women who don't believe in fairy tales, but then there are some who actually do. This is a movie that those women probably wanted to watch because it is a factor.

There are other movies like Magic Mike XXL that are directed at women because of the sexual content. I personally am not interested in watching this movie because of that reason, but then there are women who are interested in this type of entertainment.

The movie Tomorrowland  is said to appeal to women because George Clooney is in the film. Women will watch this movie because a specific male actor will be in it.

I do think that there are movies for men and women specifically, but I don’t know if it is right to be pointing out which ones women are going to watch and which men are going to watch. There are many women who would enjoy going to see an action movie like Fast 6 over watching Cinderella. I think it’s too much of a stereotype to put women and men in a certain group when it comes to appealing to certain genders.

These are things that the movie industry has to put into perspective, but I think this is another way of advertising movies. Vogue is a women’s magazine and this is a great way to promote these new releases to this gender group. Like I said before, I do believe there are movies that appeal only to women and that men wouldn’t enjoy at all, but I think it’s not a good way to include in the media why women will watch these movies.



Citation:

"Hollywood Is Finally Paying Attention To Female Moviegoers." Vogue. Vogue, 2015. Web. http://www.vogue.com/12891075/hollywood-box-office-female-moviegoers/?mbid=social_twitter

Plus Size Is Finally Normal

by Elizabeth Lemuz

Geek Girl Authority

This week in class we spent the beginning of it looking at some interesting ads that classmates had found on the web and decided to share with us all. One of the ads that stood out the most to me and apparently to all was the advertisement with the plus-sized woman in a bikini.

The advertising world is showing women to be beautiful only when they are super slim and have now physical flaws. The model that is showing off her curves is Ashley Graham. She is the face of a new line Swimsuits for All. Her picture was in the magazine "Sports Illustrated" for February 2015.

I was excited to discuss the appearance of a plus-sized model in a magazine and especially in a swimsuit advertisement. She was only shown in that one ad in "Sports Illustrated" surrounded by many other skinny models. I think her being in the magazine once is great because it allows her to stand out. I applaud this new swimsuit line for advertising with a new face and new body. There is also a hashtag to go along with this advertisement for a new campaign #curvesinbikinis.

It is time for the world to see what a real woman looks like. In the media, women have always been portrayed as something that isn't real. We are all accustomed to this idea that the women we see aren’t “real”. We know that these women after being prepped, are also photoshopped.

It’s difficult to see the women in the magazines and not want to be like them. Dr. Renee Engeln, a psychology professor at Northwestern University is quoted in an article in Think Progress. She believes that women like to look at images that make them feel hurt or feel about what they wish their body would look like instead.

I believe that this is our natural reaction to what the media is showing us. We don’t fight it anymore because this idea of women has been around for a long time now. Ashley Graham is making a difference with this new ad. It’s finally showing girls and women everywhere that not only is it okay to be different from what is shown in tv and magazines as the “perfect body”, but it’s also okay to advertise it to the world.

Citations:

“Plus-sized Model Ashley Graham Rocks Tiny Bikini in ‘Sports Illustrated’ Swimsuit Ad.” ET. CBS Studios, 2015. Web. http://www.etonline.com/news/159150_ashley_graham_rocks_tiny_bikini_sports_illustrated_swimsuit_ad/

“Are We Finally Fed Up With The Media’s Unrealistic Portrayal of Women’s Bodies?” Think Progress. Center for American Progress Action Fund, 2015. Web. http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/16/3449302/media-women-portrayals/


"Wonder Women Image." Geek Girl Authority. 2014. Web. http://www.geekgirlauthority.com/we-are-all-wonder-women/