The Naked Truth
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought there was an unspoken style rule about how much skin is appropriate to show at one time? If the recent looks sported by Blake Lively, Jessica Stroup and Daisy Lowe are any indication that guideline has either died along with the “no white after Labour Day” clause or I made the whole thing up! I get it, these ladies are gorgeous, with excellent bodies to boot, but need we see all of it at once? Whatever happened to leaving a little something to the imagination? Your chance to weigh in after the jump.
So in my mind, the exposed skin commandment went something like, "if you are going to show skin on the top, you should cover up on the bottom" and vice versa. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. For instance, a strapless cocktail dress or a Britney Spears costume can be forgiven, but in general I feel like it’s a good rule of thumb. Blake clearly has one sexy sternum, but is it really out of the question for the girl to wear a pair of trousers? They could be skinnies if she must show off her assets, but shorts? In November? Jessica at least put on a jacket, but there is still a lot of business showing and is that the lining of the shorts peeking out? Have we learned nothing from the days of Britney's barefoot bathroom trips with her cutoff pockets flapping in the wind? I can’t even talk about Daisy Lowe; has there ever been a less flattering dress to walk a red carpet? Mesh does not an appropriate neckline make, my dear.
A rather ridiculous study recently published by the University of Leeds, found that the ideal proportion of exposed skin a woman should show if she is trying to attract a man is 40 percent (if each arm represents 10 percent, each leg 15 and the torso being 50). Granted, the study was conducted in the city’s largest nightclubs and the methodology is about as scientific as a gin and tonic, but it does make me wonder how all of you decide how much skin is ok to flash.
So tell me ladies: Do you have a formula for how much exposed skin is most alluring? Do you agree that Blake and the gang are overexposed (btw, if we apply the study’s formula to Lively she’s showing at least 70%) or am I just jealous cause they can get away with it? Is the top or bottom rule a figment of my imagination, or are these ladies breaking a cardinal style rule?
By: Meghan
Photo Credit: Splashnews
Posted by: Eva | Nov 25, 2009 12:35:06 PM
Wow, Blake Lively's outfit is pretty outrageous...and not in a good way. You are totally right, the girl needs to invest in some pants! Enough with the "forgot my pants" look.
Posted by: Diane | Nov 25, 2009 8:11:09 PM
Just because you CAN show it, doesn't mean you SHOULD...These women are lovely, but inappropriately dressed. The white jacket just makes her look like she forgot her blouse. Mesh makes a good fishnet, and shorts belong on the beach...I've always believed less is more..but this is ridiculous...Looks like they are playing dressup..and not in a good way.
Posted by: Ashley | Nov 25, 2009 8:18:18 PM
Blake's outfit is definitely a sexy one, but something I would expect Pamela Anderson to wear, not a young, beautiful, actress. This outfit could have worked if she would have paired the jacket with a pair of tight jeans and heels. I'm so appalled that women feel the need to expose their bodies to the extent that they look like they belong in the porn industry. It IS possible to look just as sexy while revealing less. These 'icons' are setting horrible examples for young girls out there. There are tweens walking around in barely-there shorts, and breast-revealing shirts. Great.. let's just paint a target on the young ones for our friendly neighborhood pedophiles to make their job easier. Common Blake, be a better role model!
Posted by: Jean | Nov 25, 2009 9:28:31 PM
You don't have to show it to prove that you have got it. Leave something to the imagination.
Posted by: Liberty | Nov 25, 2009 10:50:01 PM
I think women and people in general should wear what they're comfortable with and what makes them feel good. So if that happens to be revealing clothing, that's their business. These women (listed above) don't proclaim to be role models for younger girls or women. It is the responsibility of the parents or the individual to become educated in what clothing is appropriate/comfortable for them-it is not the job of actresses or persons in the media.
To conclude, it is truly up to the wearer to make their own fashion rules.
Posted by: Shannon | Nov 25, 2009 11:29:18 PM
All young stars are constantly in the spotlight, so they are role models for young girls whether we (or they) like it or not. On the other hand, people are intitled to wear what they like. But within the confines of what is truely sexy and tasteful; Ladies, expose only one half of your body at any given time. It IS an unwritten rule, if you show cleavage-cover up your legs. If you show off your legs-cover up the twins. The only time you can show off your legs with a top that is plunging is if that plunge is showing your off your (toned and sexy) back. Again, only in good taste, and for the appropriate event. A classy and sexy woman is a turn-on for men and woman alike, tasteless and overtly sexy just attracts the wrong attention from both sexes. An easy choice to make in my eyes.
Posted by: Mary | Nov 26, 2009 1:35:46 AM
I think that the previous statements all have some truth...yes they are beautiful, yes they are showing alot, but they have never claimed to be a role model and if parents let their younger teen children dress like that then its their problem...if you got it or are just comfortable showing stuff off, go for it! Its freedom of expression...now as for me??? I got some stuff but I prefer the comfy sporty, kinda girl, punk looks and thats what I like....for them...its what they are wearing...good for them if they do, don't or maybe even if they wore like nothing at all, its their perogitive!!!
Posted by: val b | Nov 26, 2009 7:58:49 AM
I totally agree that these women are to be our Role Models??? The clothing that is being worn is disgraceful. It even looks worse when you see small children watching t.v. and video's and trying to dress like them? Where has respect for oneself gone? We do not take our children to STRIP CLUBS but we allow them access to this disgraceful way our society has turned into.
Posted by: phivos | Nov 26, 2009 9:08:41 AM
you have to remember one thing times are different now we allow gay marages and you people talk about to much skin come on wake up people
Posted by: Patty | Nov 26, 2009 10:42:44 AM
You are right, times are changing and this is exactly why we are now hearing the effects it is having on our precious little girls! Low Self Esteem, anerexia reported now in girls as young as 8 years old, and that children are now having sex, they don't understand anything about it but why not when it is crammed down their throats. So my opioion is that if you don't dress and act like a hoe, your not a woman? So maybe we should wake up, clean up, and maybe our world and economy will turn around if morals and ideals change.
Posted by: Tania | Nov 26, 2009 11:15:37 AM
I totally agree with Patty. Yes, times are changing, and yes, we should be able to wear what we want and feel comfortable in. BUT, there is an extent!! (especially since young girls are and always will be looking to follow in another woman's footsteps, stars or not) So, I think the 40% rule is the way to go ladies! :)
Posted by: Cathy | Nov 26, 2009 2:42:14 PM
i think daisy's outfit is awesome...
but blake and kessica..is too much.
Posted by: Sara | Nov 26, 2009 3:21:04 PM
Daisy has fantastic legs! If those were my legs...I'd probably never wear pants.
Posted by: Jane | Nov 26, 2009 4:34:27 PM
The general rule, if you want to look sexy but not like a hooker....If you show too much on upper body, you should be more conservative with lower body. And vice -versa.
Otherwise it shows woman is desperate, trying to hard and inteligent men don't find it sexy either.
So, if you have a nice legs, show it ! But don't show cleavage the same time!
Posted by: stedman | Nov 29, 2009 12:04:56 AM
I think shoulders and neck will come back hard, maybe even strapless with a wrap, not a coatey!
Coatey's will go with med-wide straps with a 70% front open party dress, with half-high thigh style.
Evening wear will require 3/4 to full length med-thich plain wih med-lg matching buttons...NO zippers on jackets...(til spring)!
Posted by: Bingo | Nov 30, 2009 8:09:20 PM
I personally don't think these outfits are too much - I mean, it's not something I would wear myself (even if I could!) but these ladies live in a different world where things are just a little 'out there'. They are no Pamela Anderson with beach wear and flesh flashing almost an obligatory part of the wardrobe - in comparison these outfits are positively conservative and classy. They don't look too bad and it really depends where they were wearing them. They may be in the spotlight but we can't really blame them for not being good role models - they are entitled to wear what they want. I'd be more concerned if they were touting drugs and alcohol and dressing like hookers or like certain dolls that kids can buy these days (not naming names). I think that there is a class and an elegance, even mystery, that comes with revealing one or the other and not both at the same time... like another lady being vilified on another of these posts, these gals are still young and experimenting with fashion and what suits them. I wouldn't want my girl to dress like this particularly but then again I won't be moving to Hollywood anytime soon either...
Posted by: Carol | Dec 1, 2009 4:31:36 PM
I honestly don't even think that these women are that Great to look at but good bodies. Although you have to think of the message that you are sending our young people and they are ROLE models. Are we raising HOOKEERS nowadays or young ladies that are able to use their FREAKING brains and get some DECENT jobs. I have a young daughter myself and she is a very beautiful girl but I want her to know how to use her BRAINS and Personality to get what she wants in life, NOT her body.
Posted by: Amira | Dec 1, 2009 10:03:11 PM
Personally, I think they have the freedom to wear what they want. They've earned THAT much surely? They are well aware of the fact that they are in the limelight, and so if they choose to wear (or not) something, whilst knowing they are going to be judged or criticised so be it. They make their own choices just as I make mine. You could turn most of the conservative opinions stated above completely around and apply it to overly conservative people. I could just as easily say 'the islamic attire is too "covered up" I don't want my kids to see that and think it's okay.' Call me a liberal but a person has the fundemental right to wear whatever she wants; and I'm thankful for that every single day.