Full Coverage or G-string?
February 12th, 2008By Sydney Lapeyrolerie
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Sex Week is happening at Yale. If there were a Victoria’s Secret in New Haven, it surely would be low on merchandise this week particularly. For women everywhere, this time of year is an important one for lingerie shopping. However, as many men do not realize, not all women support this industry. There is, in fact, a large debate over the appropriateness of lingerie sales. Some believe that the garments help a woman to feel confident and increase self-esteem. Others see it as a self-debasing act that objectifies woman. While this is an irresolvable discussion, the question that all women need to ask themselves is: does a woman’s lingerie define her or is it simply another representation of her self-image?
Many women feel as though the lingerie industry is perpetuating masculine ideas about sexiness. Historically, lacy, transparent underwear and brassieres were a creation of male tailors before women came to dominate the fashion industry. The ideal woman to fit into the lingerie of Victoria’s Secret or Elle Macpherson’s new line is unquestionably a woman with a boyish figure and ample chest. With models such as Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima, there is more pressure than ever for girls to have a certain body type in order to be considered “sexy” by underwear companies. Lingerie is simply seen as another way in which our masculine-society is impinging its idealistic views about women through advertising and retail. Furthermore, especially during this week where sex is inevitably on the agenda, many believe that there is a lot of pressure placed on women to transform in the perfect sex kitten, leading to a variety of psychological issues that cause women to seek professional help and treatment. This argument compounded with that of non-western cultures, where lingerie is seen as a western ideal that is now being forced upon women, shows that deeper meanings that some read from this industry.
Buying lingerie can also be considered as a form of self-depreciation because many women buy it to dress up for a significant other. One woman shared that “One of my close friends was essentially forced to wear lingerie by her boyfriend. He would get angry if she was not wearing a thong.” In instances like these where women dress in order to impress or placate their boyfriends, is it incorrect to assume that lingerie is a tool for sexism? Furthermore, if someone is truly uncomfortable wearing a lacy thong or a bra with pearl straps, then should she make herself wear that item of clothing?
On the other side of this argument lie the women who see lingerie as a confidence-booster. Many feel better about themselves when they are wearing their naughtiest knickers because it is a daring act that is secretive. “I love to dress in scandalous bras and underwear everyday because it is something that I do for myself and that I chose to do. It’s a little bit daring and a little taboo. I like it,” one college student stated. For women who do like the little bit of excitement, wearing lingerie is a strong option. Also, others women, most notably the fashionistas of our time, identify thong underwear generally as being seamless—translation: no panty lines. For those of us who desperately try to avoid this faux pas, lingerie is liberation from tacky “Fashion Don’ts” countdowns. There are also other women who support lingerie and see it as merely the most comfortable option. In any case, as with all debates, there are a variety of motivating factors on each side of the discussion.
The divide in the debate boils down to two main groups: those who believe in lingerie as a confidence-booster and those who see it as “selling-out” or dressing for others. This discussion is an important one because it highlights some of the socio-political undertones associated with the women’s wear industry. At the end of the day, every one can formulate their own opinions and make individual decisions as to support or not support this industry. One of my best friends summed up the argument for me very well when I began my research: “I don’t have to wear lacy underwear to feel sexy. I feel most comfortable in plain cotton underwear. For me, comfort is sexy.” In this day and age where many feel as though they need to manipulate themselves to fit an image or dress a certain way to gain entrée into a social or work-related situation, lingerie is one of the last avenues for a woman to make a private, personal commitment with respect to dress. Comfort is always important, and especially when you can control what and exactly how much people see of what you are wearing, then my question to everyone is as follows: why not be yourself, which is the sexiest thing of all?
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February 15th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I can’t really see buying lingerie as a “self-debasing act.” I mean, not wearing any drawers (or bra) is kinda triflin’ in most circumstances, so if you’re going to wear them, they might as well be pretty. Although pretty underwear by no means excludes the cotton variety, which, by the way, Victoria’s Secret does sell.
Not to discount your point, though, Sydney, which I think is valid. What baffles me is how much big breasts are fetishized, yet companies, like Victoria’s Secret, that claim to be lingerie specialists don’t serve women who actually have them! If you’re very large-busted (like over a DD), good luck finding a bra, let alone one in a “girly” or “sexy” style. Just like fashion designers often do with “full-figured” women in general, lingerie designers leave out women above a certain size. Yet it’s puzzling because unlike having a full figure, which is unfortunately often seen as “ugly,” having a full bust is supposed to be sexy. What gives?
March 1st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
To me, wearing pretty underwear is not about feeling sexy or wearing it for somebody else.
I wear pretty underwear because I like to wear it. Actually, even my boyfriend does NOT see my underwear because we are that type of couple.
All my life I’ve liked fairy tales and pretty dresses. Obviously, I cannot wear those items of clothing all the time. Therefore, in order to still wear what I like most, I buy pretty underwear with laces and ribbons instead….and THAT makes me feel good! because it IS me. It’s an expression of who I am.
It also shows that I buy things because I want it and not to please everyone (compared to people who spend their money on nice things to show everyone that they wear nice things….no one sees my underwear BUT me).
Also…when saying “comfort is sexy”…..
since the belief of that person is that sexy=comfort….then wearing comfortable underwear is still trying to please society because she is STILL trying to be sexy by doing what she believes IS sexy!