what does a curvy body look like?

[Omega Glory]

If someone you've never seen in person describes herself as "curvy" what kind of body type do you picture?

Basically, I'm wondering if curvy = overweight to most, or person of any size with an hourglass figure.

[Malthus]

Depends on context. If it was a self-description on a dating site, I'd assume it was a more flattering synonym for "overweight".

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

As I would use it (I'm male), it means that there are noticeable curves at hips, waist, chest, and so forth. Think Marilyn Monroe as opposed to Twiggy.

That said, there are most certainly women that use it as a synonym for overweight when speaking about themselves.

[Binarydrone]

This should be everything you need to know

[Binarydrone]

Except, it would seem, curvy.

[Chez Guevara]

Nigella Lawson.

[Sunspace]

Plump, big-breasted, wide-hipped: an hourglass figure. I'd try to name some celebrities, but a) I don't follow celebrities, and b) women with that kind of figure tend to overheat my brain and shut off the cognitive functions.

Originally Posted by Chez Guevara

Nigella Lawson.

Hello!

[Ethilrist]

If I'm feeling optimistic, "curvy" means somebody like Kim Kardashian and her sisters. If pessimistic, more like Rosie O'Donnell. In between, Oprah. Difference being, ratio of concave to convex curves. The problem being that we don't really have a simple term for "not overweight, not skinny, has hips, thighs and breasts that can be recognized as such from a distance."

[Invisible Chimp]

I think it depends on if you're a man or a woman. Women often use it as an euphemism for fat and men use it to describe women like Nigella Lawson, or, as my Black friends might say, "thick."

[Chez Guevara]

Nigella is totally my ideal woman.

Delicious curves.

[Telperien]

I would use it as a synonym for "having an hourglass figure." A fat woman could be curvy, as there are many fat women with hourglass figures, and a thin woman could be curvy as well. I think it's a pretty goofy thing to use it as a euphemism for overweight or fat or whatever you want to call it, and I have actually gotten into Stupid Internet Arguments over use of the term.

Of course, this is because of a freaky culture that doesn't allow you to call yourself or someone else fat unless you're using it as an insult.

[astro]

Doper twickster

[TWDuke]

Originally Posted by Ethilrist

The problem being that we don't really have a simple term for "not overweight, not skinny, has hips, thighs and breasts that can be recognized as such from a distance."

I've heard the term "thick" used to mean something like that (mostly by and of African-Americans, though).

[Stuffy]

Originally Posted by Chez Guevara

Nigella Lawson.

That's what I picture, speaking of which, do you have anymore. Am I the only guy around that's not attracted to the 12 y/o boy look?

[ShibbOleth]

Here's my ideal. There are a lot of women who look more or less like that in Tampa (in terms of body shape) with our heavenly influx of people from the Caribbean basin. Three of the moms for my daughter's soccer team would fit this description. I love Saturdays.

A bit more curvy.

Here's an interesting photo. The one on the right is curvy, the one on the left is skinny, and the one in the middle is a bit pale for my tastes.

[Ethilrist]

I'm having difficulty thinking of "thick" as anything but an insult.

[Stuffy]

Originally Posted by Ethilrist

I'm having difficulty thinking of "thick" as anything but an insult.

It's not, it's a compliment.

[DigitalC]

It SHOULD mean something like Salma Hayek, Kim Kardassian or the late Anna Nicole Smith. In internet talk just like "cuddly", "voluptuous", "full figured", "a few extra pounds", etc. It all means "really fat".

[Nzinga, Seated]

I think most people mean slim but with a waist smaller than hips and bust.

[Asimovian]

To quote one of the famous philosophers of our time:

"Little in the middle but she got much back!"

<whipcrack>

ETA: I'd never looked at pictures of Nigella until this thread, and I must say she is a lovely looking lady.

[Snarky_Kong]

I would assume that it means fat. Ideally it would mean having hips and breasts, but it's just a euphemism.

[CAT=^..^=]

Originally Posted by Snarky_Kong

I would assume that it means fat. Ideally it would mean having hips and breasts, but it's just a euphemism.

I am fat, and I would never call myself curvy because I am not, and never have been, even when I wasn't fat.
So my thought is that the person has a bigger bust, and hips than they do a waist. They could be a curvy size 6, 14, or 24. But it doesn't automatically conjur up fat to me.

[Troy McClure SF]

Originally Posted by ShibbOleth

Here's an interesting photo. The one on the right is curvy, the one on the left is skinny, and the one in the middle is a bit pale for my tastes.

Originally Posted by DigitalC

It SHOULD mean something like Salma Hayek, Kim Kardassian or the late Anna Nicole Smith. In internet talk just like "cuddly", "voluptuous", "full figured", "a few extra pounds", etc. It all means "really fat".

Agreed.

[Harmonious Discord]

A healthy weight with some hips and tits. Once the waddles of fat or cellulite show up, it's not curvy. A scrawny woman is not curvy. You don't see muscles and tendons well defined if they are curvy.

[SharkB8]

Top and bottom.

[Green Cymbeline]

Originally Posted by ShibbOleth

Here's an interesting photo. The one on the right is curvy, the one on the left is skinny, and the one in the middle is a bit pale for my tastes.

I would say that the girl on the right is a good example of "curvy."

These girls would probably be considered curvy.

This girl and this girl (from the Dove ads) are curvy.

Here is a funny demotivational poster that describes curvy pretty well.

[elfkin477]

Curvy used to mean something other than what it seems to mean now, didn't it? It used to mean an hourglass figure, but now seems to be a polite way of saying overweight; it used to mean Marilyn Monroe but now seems to mean a pre-diet Queen Latifah. Like petite used to mean someone short and small-boned like my aunts, but now you can find clothes that are size 24W marked "petite."

With the way words have been, um, adjusted, if I were to use an online dating service, I have no idea which descriptive term goes with 37-28-38. I could stand to lose 10 or 15 pounds, but I take it "a few extra pounds" doesn't really mean a few....

[Cervaise]

Kate Winslet when she isn't starving herself for Hollywood.

[Monstera deliciosa]

Originally Posted by elfkin477

Curvy used to mean something other than what it seems to mean now, didn't it? It used to mean an hourglass figure, but now seems to be a polite way of saying overweight; it used to mean Marilyn Monroe but now seems to mean a pre-diet Queen Latifah. Like petite used to mean someone short and small-boned like my aunts, but now you can find clothes that are size 24W marked "petite."

With the way words have been, um, adjusted, if I were to use an online dating service, I have no idea which descriptive term goes with 37-28-38. I could stand to lose 10 or 15 pounds, but I take it "a few extra pounds" doesn't really mean a few....

In clothing sizes, "Petite" means (and has meant for many years--since I was young, and I'm 48 now) clothing proportioned for women shorter than 5'4". It has nothing to do with weight. A 24W petite is proportioned for a short, heavy woman.

[Evil Captor]

It's so simple. Curvy = large breasts, narrow waist, wide hips. the breasts curve outward, then the waist curves inward, then the hips curve outward. The more pronounced the curves, the curvier you are.

[The Great Sun Jester]

Originally Posted by Chez Guevara

Nigella Lawson.

She looks like a pretty Michael Jackson. And yeah, she's "curvy."

I did have one woman online describe herself as "Curvy. Like Queen Latiffah." It's code for "overwieght and I know it but I like my body anyway."

[buttonjockey308]

Some might say Her

Others would say Her

You'd be closer in my book to say Her

Also in my ballpark is Her

She starts the foot to tapping

She Tops the list.

Along with Her

Curvy is somewhat subjective, to me it means the ultimate in feminine.

[Sleeps With Butterflies]

Originally Posted by buttonjockey308

Some might say Her

Others would say Her

You'd be closer in my book to say Her

Also in my ballpark is Her

She starts the foot to tapping

She Tops the list.

Along with Her

Curvy is somewhat subjective, to me it means the ultimate in feminine.

Most of those can't be viewed

[KarlGrenze]

Originally Posted by nyctea scandiaca

I would say that the girl on the right is a good example of "curvy."

These girls would probably be considered curvy.

This girl and this girl (from the Dove ads) are curvy.

Here is a funny demotivational poster that describes curvy pretty well.

With all due respect, nyctea scandiaca, your post shows exactly the confusion in usage of the term. Some of those girls are not curvy. Overweight, yes, fat, yes, ugly, no, hell no, and curvy some of them they sure ain't.

One can be curvy at many weights... When I weighted more and was a bit fat, I was curvy (waist narrower than hips and bust). Now that I've lost some weight (and intend on keep losing it and keeping it off), I'm still damn curvy! My body is curvy... In order to force it against that mold, I would either had to gain or lose a hell lot of weight (not interested).

When I was in high school, one of my classmates was fat. Not curvy, but fat. No shape or form, just fat. She lost weight (good for her!)... and guess what... she was slender/skinny. Not curvy, but thin. Still had no curves. Ugly? Well, since I disliked her personality, she was ugly to me always...

[DigitalC]

Originally Posted by KarlGrenze

With all due respect, nyctea scandiaca, your post shows exactly the confusion in usage of the term. Some of those girls are not curvy. Overweight, yes, fat, yes, ugly, no, hell no, and curvy some of them they sure ain't.

I agree but glad you said it first.

[Dread Pirate Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Chez Guevara

Nigella Lawson.

I love Nigella and want to marry her, but my wife won't let me.

Nigella is curvy. When I think curvy I don't think "fat." I think "woman with tits and hips." I also think the emaciated Size 0 look that is currently the Hollywood standard for What Is Attractive is decidedly unattractive. I like women to look like women, and not twelve-year-old boys. Just my opinion, though.

[monstro]

When I think curvy, I think of a classic pear-shaped body. Narrow waist, but possessing a big booty and ample thighage. So using this definition apple-shaped people aren't curvy. Someone must come up with a descriptive, non-insulting word for these folks.

Alicia Keys and Beyonce Knowles (when she's at her normal weight...and last time I saw her she wasn't) are two people off the top of my head who aren't fat but are definitely curvy.

[Snarky_Kong]

Originally Posted by CAT=^..^=

I am fat, and I would never call myself curvy because I am not, and never have been, even when I wasn't fat.
So my thought is that the person has a bigger bust, and hips than they do a waist. They could be a curvy size 6, 14, or 24. But it doesn't automatically conjur up fat to me.

I agree that's what it's supposed to mean. Bum around an online dating site though and you'll notice a difference in usage.

That sucks for the legitimately curvy women out there.

[DigitalC]

Theres a difference between what curvy really means and what it means when someone describes themselves as curvy. Everyone knows what the word really means, but thats not how its been used since online dating profiles started using those code words for people who just don't want to admit they are fat. If you are really curvy you don't say you are curvy, you just show a picture because real curvy is freaking hot.

[pulykamell]

Joan from Mad Men.

[olivesmarch4th]

Originally Posted by Sunspace

Plump, big-breasted, wide-hipped: an hourglass figure...

You have just described me. I am curvy. A little overweight, large bust, hips that proportionally match my large bust, me! (I say if you have to wear a dress to show off your body, you ain't curvy.) Not everyone's standard of beauty, to be sure. But some of the comments in this thread remind me there's room for us in the spectrum, too.

ETA: Beyonce Knowles, monstro, happens to be my idealization of the perfect body. That woman is smoking and she's the Queen of the 1% of Women I Would Fuck In a Red Hot Minute.

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by ShibbOleth

Here's an interesting photo. The one on the right is curvy, the one on the left is skinny, and the one in the middle is a bit pale for my tastes.

Holy crap, she's just right!
:melts:

Why yes, I do like "curvy" people... but Hips more so, and Hips doesn't not equal Butt, there IS a difference!

When I think of Curvy, I tend to think of Faye from QC [one on the right]. She's not obese in her BMI, but she's not skinny, or perhaps even average.

Another image of Faye just for fun.

[Eliahna]

Originally Posted by Binarydrone

This should be everything you need to know

Heh, awesome. I'm totally rewriting my profile to this list. I'm now a stable, employed, reliable, romantic woman who is fun, financially secure and who loves animals!

[drastic_quench]

Joan, played by Christina Hendricks, from Mad Men is a textbook curvy.
Behold! http://i35.tinypic.com/2lw7xfn.jpg
The cincher (ha!) is the waist. Lots of perfectly nice looking women have larger breasts and hips, but without a real waist, there's no real curve. No overall hourglass figure, no curve - breast and hip size regardless.

Now, the accurate term for larger attractive women that lack the waist to be curvy is "zaftig". Nothing wrong with being zaftig, and I think it sounds a lot more flattering than rubenesque.

Personally, I dig curvy women. I think they look healthy all around. Zaftig women can edge into the not-remotely-athletic category which I don't care for. I don't need a women to be up for a marathon, but looking like your up for a hike is a big plus.

[MissIntent]

It's depressing how surprised I was when I realized that men love this body type. I grew up thinking women came in two categories. Skinny or ugly.

16 - 21 would have been so much easier if I had just realized that I could be hot just being me.

Oh, and as far as the actual point of this thread... I like the description a poster above gave. Boobs and hips/butt curve out, and waist curves in.

[MeanJoe]

Originally Posted by ShibbOleth

Here's my ideal. There are a lot of women who look more or less like that in Tampa (in terms of body shape) with our heavenly influx of people from the Caribbean basin. Three of the moms for my daughter's soccer team would fit this description. I love Saturdays.

A bit more curvy.

Here's an interesting photo. The one on the right is curvy, the one on the left is skinny, and the one in the middle is a bit pale for my tastes.

I am quitting my job, selling my house in this market at a loss, and moving to Tampa!

I'll. Be. In. My. Bunk!


MeanJoe

[zweisamkeit]

I have to laugh at a few of the pictures shown, where the women are wearing freaking corsets. Duh, of course they'll look curvy there! That's the point of wearing one!

Real curvy is not based on weight but on proportion. Larger bust, smaller waist, larger hips. You can be bottom-heavy curvy or top-heavy curvy (or equal top and bottom).

As someone who has pants that fit her hips but are literally 3 sizes too big at the waist, I think that'd be an example of curvyness.

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by zweisamkeit

As someone who has pants that fit her hips but are literally 3 sizes too big at the waist, I think that'd be an example of curvyness.

I'm sorry, but SOMEone has to say it.
Cite, Please?

[Sunspace]

Originally Posted by olivesmarch4th

You have just described me.

:: hopeless Doper crush ::

Ah, if you weren't married and I were twenty years younger...

[buttonjockey308]

Originally Posted by Sleeps With Butterflies

Most of those can't be viewed

Well dammit. They worked when I tried em.

It's Beyonce

Dita Von Teese

Kim Kardashian

Crystal Renn

Toccara Jones

and

Melyssa Ford

In that order.

Plus a random stock photo from ok cupid that came up on google.