Hey everyone – today’s post was inspired by an image I saw on tumblr last week. I don’t know if it was made in fun or not – but the blog is noted by a lot of folks as being inspirational to them, so I don’t think it came from a bad place.
Here’s the original pic (before I got to it). Click it to make it bigger.
A doodle of female body types, originally by Irada S. -- CLICK THE PIC to view larger.
The source of that doodle is: http://size000.tumblr.com/post/3270550470
For one reason or another it inspired me to see what these body types would look like if a real life image were placed next to it that resembled the doodle as closely as possible. That drove me to spend half my day after work yesterday scouring the internet for what I felt were appropriate images based on the doodle (not my own subjective views).
Here’s my version of the doodle using real pictures. I just named it “Female Body Types,” and kept it simple. I also blurred the faces (although some images may be recognizable to some). Click the picture below to see a version that’s larger but more viewable on your computer screen.
CLICK THE PIC TO SEE A LARGER VIEW. Made with love - a look at all female body-types (based on the doodle).
OR
CLICK THIS LINK TO OPEN UP A SUPER-LARGE VERSION if you want all that detail. You can copy it and re-post it places all that you want. All I ask is that you don’t take away the source info I have on there. I like giving credit where it’s due.
Here’s what I want people to take away from this image.
LADIES – find yourself on here if you want (if your body type is indeed there), and regardless of where it falls – take pride in the fact that you – yes “YOU” – are Beautiful. I won’t sit here and lie and say that I’m attracted to every single type of woman physically – but there is some guy (or girl) who does dig you – EVEN AT TIMES WHEN YOU MAY NOT FEEL THAT PRETTY. From head-to-toe, one of the most lovely things on this green Earth that God ever created was the human female. Blurring some of the faces on these women almost felt like a crime because of how much I just enjoyed looking at their smiles. I’ll tell you right now that Marilyn Monroe is one of the body types on here – and it took me forever to finally blur that photo. Felt like I was blotting a masterpiece.
GENTS – look at these women and know that “pretty” is not limited to the left side of this spectrum. Also, speak up if you like/love bodies from the middle-to-the-right of this image. I personally like body types all throughout the spectrum. I have two personal favorites on here – as do most guys I’m sure.
SOCIETY AS A WHOLE – I’d like for us as a people to admit what we feel beauty is rather than be told. The labels about what the media sells us, what most people look like, and what we’ve been proven to find the most attractive caught my eye. I also paid attention to the labels of each body type from the original doodle. Some things worth note:
- It’s sad that if you look up “Thick Woman” online – all you get is porn and booty shots. They’re more beautiful than that and should be viewed as such.
- It’s sad that as you work your way to the right side of the spectrum, it gets harder and harder to find a comfortable looking swimsuit shot, or something that doesn’t point out their weight in a derogatory manner.
- It’s sad that if you put any ethnicity in front of the term “skinny” or “woman” on Google (e.g. “Skinny Asian Woman”) – you mostly get porn back.
- It’s also sad that we label these body types using terms that breakdown a person’s self-esteem. Doing a search for terms like “Fat Woman”, “Obese Woman” and “Morbidly Obese Woman” yielded nothing but shame for the most part. I know if “black” or “African American” was still widely regarded as a physical deficiency – I’d be conscious about it… just sayin’. We may want to re-think those labels. I just stuck with them to stay true to the original doodle.
I don’t want to come off as a hypocrite. I’d be lying if I said my rude mention to my friend a few weeks ago wasn’t on my mind as I was looking for what I considered to be tasteful images of each body type. But as I’ve matured – I’ve come to know that there is beauty in all of these women.
That’s all.
I created this image today as a fan of Women in all shapes and sizes – colors and backgrounds. Just a Gent taking time to show women “the real them” in a mirror, and whisper back that I (or someone somewhere) like what I see – and they should too.
GENTS: If you’re a fan of women just say so in the comments of this post – remind them how beautiful they are to you. LADIES: How do you feel about the original image? How does this post make you feel in general.
I’d also love it if someone took on a similar task like this and made a chart of Male Body Types. I’m not doing it (seriously – searching for guys on Google to fit all body types… I’m worried about all of the gross/pornographic images I’d come across).
Well that’s it. Peace and thanks for reading. Tell women that you know to stop by and check out this post today.
Interesting post. I myself prefer the average type, not because I’m trying to make a statement about people being comfortable in their own bodies or trying to be practical, but because I simply do. I may post a different version of this myself sometime, with credits to you of course.
There’s nothing wrong w/ preferring average at all – like I said, “A Rose by Any Other Name”. And good looking out on the credit – feel free to expand the conversation. Thanks for commenting sir (or madam… haha).
This made me smile. As a 22 yr old woman, I DEFINITELY deal with body type issues from time to time, but at the end of the day I’m pretty happy with what God gave me. I wonder what the world would be like if the media decided to put woman that resembled the middle section of the spectrum in commercials and in mainstream movies? hmmm…
Note to the fellas: when a girl is having a I-dont-feel-so-pretty type of day, just remind her that you KNOW she’s beautiful, and she always will be…
*I’m writing down your note*
If the media portrayed women as the middle of the spectrum – I think you’d have more queens than commoners running in the street. Not saying that the women who have the body type of what the media currently portrays are “bad” or anything – I just think their elevation does something to the pride of those further to the right.
Haha – I couldn’t think of any other way to say it… although I almost said “scalliwags” instead of commoners.
I think there’d be less eating disorders. Less single bigger girls. And maybe less labeling.
It’s all opinion – no facts to back it up – but I’m willing to discuss those thoughts with anyone. This is a safe space.
This made me smile from ear to ear. Crazy thing is, I would hate to be a woman in today’s society. Every time they go to the grocery store checkout lines, all they see is skinny chicks on the front of magazines or bigger ladies with a caption pointing out how big they have become. It’s a no win. I was married to a very attractive woman who was ultimately unhappy as it was a constant struggle to find peace with her body type and self-worth. I love the female body and more importantly I love secure females. (Not the extreme of the one who is showing skin and shouldn’t be). Become comfortable and respectful of your body type and others will become comfortable and respectful as well. Love who you are. Just my 2 cents…
Well said Sir Lewis – and I’ve thought along the same lines as you. Being “attacked” everyday by thousands of images telling you that you aren’t pretty enough would probably weigh down my spirit. But like I told Amari below – we’re (guys) here to remind them they’re beautiful right?
Very interesting post. And very glad you took the time to post it. Let me tell you something–every woman, no matter where she falls on the spectrum– has things they see in their body that they don’t like. And they’re usually the craziest thing! I know someone that has (what I think) an enviable behind. But she hates it, and hates the attention she gets from it. I know tons of busty girls (not gonna lie, including myself) that call what everyone else labels a blessing, a curse. Point is, most of us are like Prince’s mother, “she’s never satisfied.”
BUT, you’re right. As much as I may go through phases of liking and disliking my figure, I have never had a problem snagging a man because of it. And though I’m single now, I know I turn many a head, not just because of my face (sorry to sound conceited, but it’s true). I think women should aim to be towards the middle of the spectrum NOT because it’s more beautiful, but because it’s more healthy. Having a mom die from heart failure makes you aware of these things…..having a healthy BMI is important.
All that being said, I’m having one of those days that so many woman have that I just don’t feel pretty. It’s not a perpetual thing–just on this particular day (ok, maybe the last 3 or 4 days), I haven’t felt that cute.
I want to thank you for writing this post to remind me that I’m not just pretty on the inside, but also on the outside. Sounds backwards to say, doesn’t it?
Haha – it doesn’t sound backwards if it’s the truth. I think a lot of people downplay their outside too much. That’s nice – we’re taught modesty and such – but there’s nothing wrong with feeling cute if you’re cute. Like you said – “…sound(s) conceited, but it’s true,” and there’s nothing wrong with that long as you don’t walk around like your sh!t don’t stink.
I know that it’s not uncommon for women to feel “not-so-pretty,” but that’s what we’re (guys) here for. *Oh and as far as the busty girls – I’ve had more than one friend undergo breast reductions because of their backs, so I’m somewhat familiar with the gift/curse sides of that physiology.*
I almost pointed out the health risks associated with being on the far end of either side of the spectrum – but I’m no medical guru, so I chose silence on that point.
Lamento lo de tu madre