What is the obsession with thigh gaps?

deadmittens

I don't get the obsession. I think thicker thighs look better! My obsession is a flatter stomach and perkier boobs. :flowerforyou:

kazzari

Can someone explain this to me? With small words? I don't get the obsession with them. MOST of the time they are because someone's got too thin (I'm not talking about the women who have them naturally because of body shape) and I don't understand what is meant to be so sexy about them?

When I was in junior high, we were judged on our posture in PE. Having that gap was 1 of the things we were judged on. A person of healthy weight and good posture will have that gap. In my case, I am not overweight but I am slightly knock-kneed, and that obliterares my gap. So even if one is skinny they may not have that gap. Perception of beauty has a lot to do with symmetry and this maybe why that gap is thought to be so appealing.

McKayMachina

I've started to see a bit of a gap. I think it's a silly goal, personally. But I DO like that I don't have to war leggings with EVERYTHING anymore so my summer dresses don't give me fatty-thigh rash. lol

raevynn

I see a woman where I work that has a "thigh gap"... but it looks like she is bow-legged, and she kinda wobbles when she walks.

Um, no thanks.

I know all about the rubbing thighs.. and, I have a thin friend who is a marathon runner (think tall, slim, wears spandex....), who has an issue with rubbing thighs. It's all about hip width, and genetics.

silkandsugar

Everyone has a thigh gap when it matters.

Lolll maybe my mind is in the gutter but this is hilarious.

silkandsugar

I wish I could post a picture on here. Mine is very wide but I'm healthy and fit yet weigh about 100 lbs. I need to learn how to use MFP properly!

mexy04

Can someone explain this to me? With small words? I don't get the obsession with them. MOST of the time they are because someone's got too thin (I'm not talking about the women who have them naturally because of body shape) and I don't understand what is meant to be so sexy about them?

I know right!! I mean if that is the way someone is shaped cool it does look nice but I think it is mostly a proana mia thing.

Natihilator

They are unattainable for a good chunk of the population, hence the obsession. To be honest, I'd love to have a thigh gap because it would mean no more painful chafing when I wear a skirt or tights in hot weather, but that's not an aesthetic reason so I think it's a bit different.

911chell

I guess it depends a bit on the shape of your legs, but I have this when I am in normal weight and I find it sexy. Also when I get fatter it comes together and it chafes - nothing makes me feel less sexy than thigh rub.

I hear what you are saying !!!!! thigh rub just sucks ... I have recently graduated and no longer part of that club and so super excited about it

Axels91

no offense to those who have the extra fat up there but try wearing shorts with that. its unattractive and uncomfortable.

rileysowner

All I know is that as a man I have never ever in all my life ever heard a man say, "Wow! Look at that thigh gap on that woman!" Ladies stop obsessing about something the majority of men and most women for that matter, will never notice.

lorro

This obsession seems to have passed me by. I've not missed it :happy:

Trail_Addict

When this obsession passes, then the next one will be to see if they can make their knees and ankles touch, without their calves or thighs touching... or how to have bigger knees, so their thighs look smaller.

meshashesha2012

a thigh gap is somewhat impossible for some people even if they are at a healthy weight since much of it is determined by your hip span.

ladybarometer

My mama always said never trust a girl who's thighs didn't touch!

coconutbuNZ

I'd rather have a flat tummy than a thigh gap! lol

nicholettebell

the ricketts look is in?

:laugh:

InnerFatGirl

no offense to those who have the extra fat up there but try wearing shorts with that. its unattractive and uncomfortable.

Yeah, like shorts with a gap in them look nice? :huh:

InnerFatGirl

Funny thing is, my thighs have always been shapely, and at the moment, they're pretty large.

But I never have a problem with chafing. And my inner thigh skin is very soft.

?

InnerFatGirl

I just want to be able to wear shorts when I run, or something cute and sexy for my fella and not worry about looking gross or starting a fire! I only want a small natural one though, I am not dieting with a gap as a goal. I am 10lbs away from my goal, and I still don't have one, so odds are not in my favor as of now. . . .

But you don't have to have a thigh gap at all to do that.

And you don't have to have a thigh gap for your thighs not to chafe either.

Thank you.

InnerFatGirl

I have a thigh gap.



When I stand with my feet shoulder width apart.

LMFAO :laugh: :laugh: :sad: :sad: :laugh: :laugh:

Emv79

From what I'm gathering so far:

1. It's genetics, and depends on hip structure. ** Makes sense.**
2. It may, or may not, be achieved as a 'byproduct' of smart dieting and exercise, but cannot be directly targeted. ** No argument there.**
2. A loss of inner thigh fat, resulting in less chaffing and clothing destruction. ** I can buy that.**
3. All the cool girls have one, and I'm so insecure within my own skin, that I need to strive for it to fit in. ** Seek counseling.**

I did not know there was an obsession about thigh gaps out there, but #3 on this post made me laugh so much...I'm always up for some good, down to earth humor

plushkitten

I remember when I was around 13, 14 and boys would always tease me and talk about it being easy accesses and dumb stuff like that...I was always embarressed by it and honestly never even thought about it till someone pointed it out.

Now I came to MFP and it's really desirable >.<
Who would have known...

I just thought it was because I had too thin of legs.
But I guess not. hahah

Whatever a woman has...thigh gap or not...legs are about the sexiest part of a woman.
Keeep them squats up!!

PoleBoy

Thigh gap is a PITA when it comes to Pole Dancing....

nightscare0

For me, I will never have a thigh gap. My legs simply weren't made that way. I will just be happy to be able to wear courderoy pants in the winter and not have to worry about starting a friction fire.

Actually most days I am glad to still have legs as I was in a terrible car accident when I was 20 that left a nasty scar running down my left leg and shows how close it came to being severed. I know they will never be considered "model beautiful" and that's ok with me.

Nerdybookgirl

i dont get the obsession with thigh gaps either. latin guys dislike super skinny girls and the "ideal" body type is a girl with boobs , an *kitten*, hips and nice legs. not stick thin , everyone hates that. when i was super skinny 2 years ago i had a thigh gap , not as extreme as some of the pics posted here but my friend pointed it out as a flaw, she was like " you have a nice upper body but you have no legs or *kitten*. your legs are so skinny you even have a thigh gap, ew" and now that i weigh like 10 lbs more than i did back then , i barely have it. everyone complements my legs cuz apparently i "have" legs, unlike my best friend who has a thigh gap , guys have told me her legs are way too skinny. i totally love my toned and gorgeous legs right now and i'd be disappointed if they got so skinny my thigh gap became too noticeable again

This explains my husband... he is Puerto Rican and his main worry with my dieting is that I will loose my booty and get a thigh gap. LOL

Mosaic67

I've never had a thigh gap, well not since puberty hit. Always hated summers because I was so self-conscious of the rub and chafe. Even as an athlete in high school, running 5 miles a day, and strength training 3 days a week, I didn't have a gap. (and had to have expensive workout clothes so no chafing. As someone said, it has to do with structure in many cases. Narrow hips means less room for gap. Thick muscular legs with narrow hips... that ways me. Ironically, now at 90lbs more than 25+ years ago, I do not get the chafing. So, big or small, thin or thick, gap or not - we are all beautiful. And if trying to lose weight like me, accepting certain differences will help realize that you're ok and promote positive self-development.

Lozze

Funny thing is, my thighs have always been shapely, and at the moment, they're pretty large.

But I never have a problem with chafing. And my inner thigh skin is very soft.

?

Thanks for posting this because this is another thing I've never had happen. I'll occasionally get chafing but it will always be on a hot day. Maybe once a year if that? (and live in Aus so it's hot here) I've had clothes wear out in the crotch but they're my work pants that I wear five days a week and this happens usually after a year.

Ladies who have it as part of their bone structure, I'm not bashing you. That's part of your body and the way it's made. But I don't admire you for it. The same way I don't admire someone for their ears, eye shape or long neck. It's not something that indicates good health it just exists.

I don't understand the girls who will diet their way to extremly low body weight to get one.

zoom2

I've never had a thigh gap, well not since puberty hit. Always hated summers because I was so self-conscious of the rub and chafe. Even as an athlete in high school, running 5 miles a day, and strength training 3 days a week, I didn't have a gap. (and had to have expensive workout clothes so no chafing. As someone said, it has to do with structure in many cases. Narrow hips means less room for gap. Thick muscular legs with narrow hips... that ways me.

Add large, strong gracilis and gluteal muscles to the mix and not only will you not have a gap, but finding bicycle saddles is a real b*tch. Only VERY T-shaped saddles with narrow noses won't bruise your inner thigh muscles and force a rider to constantly have to push back on their saddle. I've never had thigh gap. I have very narrow hips (the average woman's biiliac width is 11"...mine is 9") and mesomorphic thighs. Even at 115#s in HS my thighs touched and I had to wear compression shorts under my track and soccer shorts, since this was before the days of products like Body Glide and SportShield to prevent serious chafing. I could be 10#s underweight and I'd still have thighs that touch.

I have a friend who has VERY wide hips and long, thin legs. Even when she's been 20#s overweight her thighs don't touch. We're just built entirely different.

InnerFatGirl

Funny thing is, my thighs have always been shapely, and at the moment, they're pretty large.

But I never have a problem with chafing. And my inner thigh skin is very soft.

?

Thanks for posting this because this is another thing I've never had happen. I'll occasionally get chafing but it will always be on a hot day. Maybe once a year if that? (and live in Aus so it's hot here) I've had clothes wear out in the crotch but they're my work pants that I wear five days a week and this happens usually after a year.

Ladies who have it as part of their bone structure, I'm not bashing you. That's part of your body and the way it's made. But I don't admire you for it. The same way I don't admire someone for their ears, eye shape or long neck. It's not something that indicates good health it just exists.

I don't understand the girls who will diet their way to extremly low body weight to get one.

Totally agree.