There’s a bit from, I think, NewsRadio that’s often brought up in this discussion:
A: I’m not being nasty, you’re Pretty, you’re very Pretty, in fact, but “Cute”? I don’t think so!
B: I wasn’t aware there was a difference.
A: Of course there’s a difference, “Pretty” is “Pretty” but “Cute” means “Pretty, but short and hyperactive”…like me!
B: Uh-uhn. Well, what is “Beautiful”?
A: “Beautiful” is “Pretty, and tall”.
B: “Gorgeous”?
A: “Pretty, with great hair”.
B: “Striking”?
A: “Pretty, with a big nose”.
B: O.K. You’re making this up!
A: That’s ridiculous, why would I be making anything up?
B: (exhales) “Voluptuous”?
A: “Pretty and fat”.
B: “Sexy”.
A: “Pretty, and easy”.
B: O.K. “Exotic”?
A: “Ugly”.
After reading this thread, I thought about the Effinger sci-fi trillogy that begins with “When Gravity Fails.” It sort-of has a fourth option for women; not being women.
In the books, sex-changes and plastic-surgery enhancement are so completely common that the ‘original’ sex of a person is hardly even a matter of discussion, and if one wants to look like the current famous erotic star (Honey Pilar, in the books), one simply can. The main character of the books says he can tell post-ops by the shape / size of their hands and feet, but that may just be him fooling himself.
Anyway, it’s an odd bit of fourth-option; to be whatever one wants to be.
How about Sofi / Sophie in Howl’s Moving Castle? When she’s still a young woman, a lot of emphasis is made on how plain she is, though she is neither deformed nor ugly. And of course, she gains both in self-confidence, and in a kind of beauty, as she ages – so she’s breaking several moulds.