The End Of Sex?

[tott]

Btw, Lena, you do seem to have a great job! I would love to do something like that!

 

[Lena]

Originally posted by sashatheelf@Feb 17th, 2004 - 8:42 am
this is great, im tired of seeing thongs popping out of everyones ***es.

me too sasha

thanks tott, we should discuss more on this next time we meet -maybe while starring the blue sea in a unspoiled greek island

 

[smashinfashion]

Originally posted by hollyslookingdry@Feb 17th, 2004 - 12:31 am
I would love if this would happen! I'm very sick of the whole sexy=bare skin mentality. However...I don't feel it will catch on too quickly. It has been beat into teenage girls' heads that the less they wear the more boys will want them. This is a hard mentality to break.. I hope that it catches on though. I have already adopted a more classic style. Thanks for posting the article

i hate to say i agree with you here. as much as some of us fashion people may lean towards a classier image, i think a large majority of the mainstream (at least in america) is entangled in a battle over who can be the the sexiest. i thnk a lot of women today have learned to define themselves by the amount of attention they can get (im sure the womens liberationists are rolling in their graves). especially when we have cultural idols like britney and christina "setting trends" for those who dont know any better. i have hope that eventually, yes, they will get sick of it as we already have a long time ago, but i don't see it happening in the near future.

 

[tott]

Originally posted by Lena@Feb 17th, 2004 - 9:45 am
thanks tott, we should discuss more on this next time we meet -maybe while starring the blue sea in a unspoiled greek island

Aawww, wouldn't that be nice?

 

[Oria]

I prefer sensuality and the air of mystery over overt sexuality so it is nice to see the trend to bare all slowing on the fashion front.

 

[Spacemiu]

Originally posted by softgrey@Feb 16th, 2004 - 10:58 am
it's a cycle-ten yrs from now-sex will be fresh again and we'll be back to it...I'm glad that people are covering up-but this whole class/status thing is troubling in its own way...

very true.


I have a problem with the objectification of people, in any way. I also have a problem with the media telling people how to look/dress/live etc.

 

[tealady]

Originally posted by sashatheelf@Feb 17th, 2004 - 12:42 am
this is great, im tired of seeing thongs popping out of everyones ***es.

Amen, sister!

 

[hilfiger10025]

I believe "sex sells" is definatly going away! I personally , an coming from a straight guys point of view, never really saw the "awesomeness" in it. I mean..i didnt mind seeing 1/2 naked girls dancing around on tv. but after a month it got old! i mean, its not like they are doing anything someone before them hasnt done.

And as an example, the BIGGEST transition between "sex sells" to prim and proper dress is.....PARIS HILTON dont hate me for this

21st birthday

 

[hilfiger10025]

23rd birthday...yesterday

 

[tealady]

Good point, hilfiger (any relation? ). Was she wearing that second outfit at her birthday party or just during the day? It's nice to hear from a man that he doesn't want/need to see half-naked women just to make it to the end of the day.

 

[strawberry daiquiri]

Originally posted by tealady@Feb 19th, 2004 - 12:55 am
It's nice to hear from a man that he doesn't want/need to see half-naked women just to make it to the end of the day.

You see, that's the thing, all these men, they keep saying and saying and saying how it's old Hollywood that leaves the impression and has them sweet dreaming. Before, I think they liked it all out there with their tongues, but now they seem to think it more fun if they get to mentally undress the lady in waiting.

 

[hilfiger10025]

Originally posted by tealady@Feb 18th, 2004 - 7:55 pm
Good point, hilfiger (any relation? ). Was she wearing that second outfit at her birthday party or just during the day? It's nice to hear from a man that he doesn't want/need to see half-naked women just to make it to the end of the day.

haha no relation unfourtunatly And from the pictures ive seen she didnt have a party (i cant believe it but i havent seen any pictures to back it up) But she had lunch at ''the Ivy'' with her friends and family. and thats how she dressed for most of the day.

And Miss. Daiquiri--thats how i see it! I dont really see the point in seeing a girl walk down the red carpet in a dress which reveals everything. its much more fun leaving it to the imagination!

 

[PrinceOfCats]

Personally I've never been interested in looking at pretty girls. What's the point point in it unless you're actually about to become closer aquainted with them. Looking at revealing dresses on celebs at some banal award ceremony stroke mutual-m*****bation-society-of-film-people is like looking at a chocolate cake and then walking off.

I don't really mind men dressing in a way that is fairly revealing but for women it looks quite trashy. Clothes are partially about sex though...

 

[Lena]

Originally posted by PrinceOfCats@Feb 20th, 2004 - 11:02 pm
I don't really mind men dressing in a way that is fairly revealing but for women it looks quite trashy. Clothes are partially about sex though...

i agree your highness.
guys look cool revealing, girls dont really.
also agree with strawberry on

mentally undress the lady in waiting

and with Oria posting

I prefer sensuality and the air of mystery over overt sexuality

Brasilian girls know very well the art of seduction and flirt

'on your face' exposure of sensual zones
makes them more boring and common.
if i was a straight guy, i could be on my limits having to face
semi-naked girls 24 hours a day year after year...
magazines, posters, tv, advertisment, shows, celebrities
my god what a flood of on-your-face-attitude.
even though nobody stops to see/think the situation,
there is actuall effect on todays men attitude at least
in most western urban environment.
at one point they may subconsiously end up stressed,
unhappy or frustrated. In extreme condition one
could actually start loosing interest in (traditional) sex altogether,
or look for 'alternative' extremes.

sex becomes so available that results in killing desire.
total availability could result in an opposite effect, resulting in sex imaging of women getting even more hardcore/agressively sexy.
men should be given a chance to explore, to flirt, to attract,
to lead the erotic game. its only nature.

as for dress & sex, fashion by definition intergrades the erotic element
but never in the history of fashion in such a blatant and almost cruel way.
erotic is more interesting than sexy..
erotic is seducive, mysterious, unexpected, clever, crazy, elegant, fun.

anything but in-your-face,
its the wrong attitude and so not what we really need right now.

 

[strawberry daiquiri]

Originally posted by Lena+Feb 20th, 2004 - 8:50 pm--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lena @ Feb 20th, 2004 - 8:50 pm)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-PrinceOfCats@Feb 20th, 2004 - 11:02 pm
I don't really mind men dressing in a way that is fairly revealing but for women it looks quite trashy. Clothes are partially about sex though...

i agree your highness.
guys look cool revealing, girls dont really.
[/b][/quote]
Why is that, why can men reveal and still be considered respectable and women cannot? I won't agree to this being society's verdict on flesh and fashion. Yah yah so is it out of respect for the woman that others say they should not need to resort to losing any dignity and any clothes? If the female decides for herself that she is happier revealing less then fine, but for it to be a case of men can get away with it while the women can't then its one step forward, two steps back. Girly flesh could never be more trashy than a man's.

 

[Dark Princess]

Originally posted by strawberry daiquiri+Feb 20th, 2004 - 5:08 pm--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(strawberry daiquiri @ Feb 20th, 2004 - 5:08 pm)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by Lena@Feb 20th, 2004 - 8:50 pm
<!--QuoteBegin-PrinceOfCats

@Feb 20th, 2004 - 11:02 pm
I don't really mind men dressing in a way that is fairly revealing but for women it looks quite trashy. Clothes are partially about sex though...

i agree your highness.
guys look cool revealing, girls dont really.

Why is that, why can men reveal and still be considered respectable and women cannot? I won't agree to this being society's verdict on flesh and fashion. Yah yah so is it out of respect for the woman that others say they should not need to resort to losing any dignity and any clothes? If the female decides for herself that she is happier revealing less then fine, but for it to be a case of men can get away with it while the women can't then its one step forward, two steps back. Girly flesh could never be more trashy than a man's. [/b][/quote]
I totally agree.

But please take away the low rise jeans!!!! They are just ugly. Why would anyone want to look at that anymore..

 

[micouture]

Those who have it flaunt it and those who dont criticize. What guy dosent love a girl in tight low cut clothes? Its human nature to desire someone who is sexually appealing - but there is a time and a place for everything - if you are a hot woman and dress sexy everywhere all the time you would need security to smack all the guys off of you. Celebs can get away with it since they have the security where normal people have to be more conservative out of fear of possible r*pe, unwanted advances, etc.

 

[softgrey]

this was a great thread...i was just re-reading it and looking over the later posts

thanks for reminding me -tott

i have to say that i don't think it's okay for men to be half-naked, but women have to cover up...that's not equal and i'm for a more equitable situation...i just don't think that using your body to get attention is very impressive, especially since a lot of these women's bodies aren't even something they've worked hard to acheive, it's just something they purchased

 

[tangerine]

(Apologies if this has already been posted, I didn't see it...)

What Stylish Young Women Are Wearing: More
By RUTH LA FERLA

Published: June 8, 2004


Her prom was fast approaching, and Alexandra Ruddy, a senior at Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, was in a quandary about what to wear. She wavered briefly between two dresses, one a sexy, low-cut number, the other more demure, an ivory gown with a boat neckline and sweet cap sleeves. "I chose that one," Ms. Ruddy said. "It was more classy, I thought."

As she spoke on the phone, a hoot of laughter erupted in the background. "That's my mom," Ms. Ruddy offered. "She is saying that `classy' is a new word for a 17-year-old girl to use."

Maybe, but in recent months that is just the term that has been entering the vocabulary of American teenagers and college-age women to describe a shift in how they dress: exposing less skin; ditching the micro-minis, cropped tops and thong-baring jeans of previous summers. In the streets and in stores like the Limited and Quiksilver, these items are being replaced by demure knee-length skirts, high-waisted jeans, layered T-shirts and flat shoes, all paraded as a badge of hip.

A possible shift from strident sexuality to a more decorous look is also reflected in young women's choice of role models. Some who a year ago looked up to sultry stars like Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera have transferred their allegiance to sweet-faced new personalities, including Mischa Barton, who wears pert headbands and flat shoes on the television hit "The O.C."; Fantasia Barrino, the "American Idol" winner, who favors conservative trouser suits and sundresses; and the 17-year-old twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who are inclined to virginal calf-length dresses and buttoned-up jackets.

The devotion of teenagers to these celebrities sends a signal that "they want to be feminine and ladylike more than they want to be trashy and sexy," said Jane Rinzler Buckingham, the president of Youth Intelligence, a New York consulting company, which sends reports to clients like Levi's and L'Oréal based on surveys of teenagers in the street and via random telephone interviews.

Her latest report, to be mailed in August, indicates that "we are finding that there are signs of more covering up" by teenage girls, Ms. Buckingham said. "Right now, for many of them, sexy feels too vulnerable, too over-the-top, too cheesy."

Tina Wells, a partner in Blue Fusion, another youth-trend consulting company, notes the current teenage taste for knee-length skirts and dainty camisoles worn under denim jackets and seersucker blazers as evidence of a shift in the wind. Of 200 young women 14 to 18 polled by Blue Fusion last month, many said they had relegated risqué clothes to the back of their closets in favor of more modest looks.

Some trendspotters think a backlash may have set in after episodes like Janet Jackson baring a breast at the Super Bowl and the Paris Hilton sex tape wars. "Girls find them gross," Ms. Wells said of the incidents. "In a lot of ways, they feel that these things are being pushed down their throats, and there are some things that they would just rather not know."

Retailers are beginning to respond. Express, the mass-market chain, now caters to career-minded young women. "We've changed a lot of our merchandising and buying so it's not about little skimpy tops anymore," said Pam Seidman, a spokeswoman for the company. At Express, high-waisted jeans, blazers and T-shirts meant to be layered, covering the midriff, are outperforming last year's more abbreviated styles, Ms. Seidman said. "I think there is a certain femininity our customers crave," she added. "If they don't find it with us, they will move on."

Ed Burstell, the general manager of Henri Bendel, agreed that revealing fashions are "just done."

"I think things have reached a saturation point," Mr. Burstell said. Bendel's customers, many in their early 20's, are now purchasing jackets, a departure from last year. A more refined mood extends to accessories, too. "Last year, we were seeing belly chains," he said. "Who now would be caught dead in that?"

Teenage girls are likely to take their style cues from magazines like Seventeen and Teen Vogue, which are promoting a more discreet look.

Robyn Duda, 22, an events coordinator in New York, said her contemporaries are now more conservative. "But some of this is just fashion," she said. "Whatever is in the magazines, that's what we're going to wear. If the magazines are showing skin, we're wearing skin. If it's a jeans jacket with the collar up, that what we're wearing."

The concern with propriety suggests an effort by many of her peers to distance themselves from younger girls, for whom Malibu Barbie remains the last word in chic. "When you're seeing a 10-year-old with a belly ring, it's just not that cool anymore," Ms. Buckingham said.

In a post-Janet Jackson world, it seems, fewer women would wittingly risk the kind of scorn heaped on Alexandra Kerry, the daughter of John Kerry, when she wore a sheer dress to a screening at Cannes last month. "It could be that girls are trying to distance themselves from those bad media images," said Lyn Mikel Brown, an associate professor of women's gender and sexuality studies at Colby College in Maine.

Consider Melanie Lopez. On a class trip to Manhattan last week with her senior class from Carthage High School in upstate New York, Ms. Lopez, 18, wore a chiffon blouse that veiled her camisole and waistline. "We're getting a message, even in the media, that celebrities are being looked down upon for the way they dress," she said, "so a lot of us don't want to look like them. We're creating a style that's more unique."

Some, like Edwina Faulk, who strolled in Times Square last Friday afternoon dressed in a crisp fitted blouse that grazed the top of her hips, are using fashion to register their discomfort with the status quo. "Last year, a lot of women were wearing a lot of skimpy things because they have the body, they're going to wear it," said Ms. Faulk, who is 20. "But I don't like showing my body in something that's provocative."

Kristina Valencia, 19, a sales associate at the Quiksilver store on West 42nd Street, has likewise shied away from an overtly sexy look. "A year ago, my shirt might actually have been up to here," Ms. Valencia said, cupping one hand just below her bosom. But on Friday she wore an elongated, midriff-concealing camouflage shirt, the uniform of the store's sales staff. Over this she had pulled an even longer white T-shirt that veiled her belly. "I'm just more secure covered up," she said. Quiksilver, she added, has stocked up on longer T-shirts that cover the midsection. And en route to the Times Square store are jeans with a higher waistline, Ms. Valencia said.

Ms. Ruddy, the Harvard-Westlake senior, would certainly qualify as one of the chain's target customers. She said she has abandoned her skin-baring tank tops, relics of the days when she revered Britney Spears. "That look called for a lot more pulling down at your shirt and tugging at your pants," she said. "All that makes you really uncomfortable."

Some experts expect the trend to gather momentum, based on the age-old susceptibility of teenagers to peer pressure. Last month, Ms. Wells, the trend consultant, attended a prom at Winslow Township high school in Atco, N.J., as part of her research. "All the girls were parading around in their outfits," she recalled. "It was so interesting watching the popular girls stick up their noses at the girls who were showing too much skin."

One girl whose dress was slashed at the sides to expose a tattoo on her hipbone stopped the in crowd in its tracks, Ms. Wells said. "Two years ago, the other girls would have told themselves, she's being cool, like Britney Spears." Now, she added in a mock teenage drone, "It's like, Oh, my God, who would wear that?"

Source

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by tangerine@Jun 11th, 2004 - 2:39 pm
We're creating a style that's more unique.

I really do like the idea behind this, but I find it a bit sad that it's really only being done because it's apparently the newest trend. It may be a more appealing trend, of course, but shouldn't it be done for yourself...? Not because the magazines are telling you that this is how you should be looking. And- after this phase has passed, it's back to normal for most of these girls.