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How do you define "Curvy?"

ssurvivor
ssurvivor Posts: 142 Member
I wasn't exactly sure where to put this, but I figured there would be plenty of differing opinions so here we are.

I recently discovered (within the last year or so) that I'm not on the same page as a lot of people when I describe myself as "curvy." To me, a woman s curvy if there is a significant bust:waist and/or waist:hip ratio.

I have the hardest time finding athletic wear because, if it fits in the bust or hips, it's too loose everywhere else. Nothing is more disruptive to my workouts than having to stop and pull my pants up every 15 minutes - especially when I'm doing a lot of bending and twisting. When I ask people for clothing suggestions, most people say, "you're not curvy" instead of answering my question.😢😢😢
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Replies

  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    To me curvy is big bust and hips relative to waist size

    I'm kind of curvy, but also tall and long in the torso, so if it fits in the bust/hips it's probably baggy at the waist and too short in the arms or legs or the waist is too high for my actual body

    for athletic stuff I have had good luck with the legging and tanks on Amazon...I'm a geek and usually go for super hero stuff...Mad Ink, Coco and Conceited have one-size legging that seem to stay in place as I move around and there's a lot of stretch in the waistband, so they go over my hips without a struggle...plus, it's Amazon, so if it doesn't fit returns are a piece of cake, though I haven't had any issues with the one-size leggings not fitting...they are still a bit short, but they go mostly to my ankles, and they don't ride up when I move, which is good enough for me...they do only last about 2-3 years before all the stretch starts to not be so stretchy and they start shifting around, but by then it's time for new super heroes anyway.
  • s131951
    s131951 Posts: 3,776 Member
    Also, apologies for wedging my way in. I just thought I'd venture my opinion.
  • ssurvivor
    ssurvivor Posts: 142 Member
    Thanks for your suggestion! I don't feel entirely comfortable in ultra baggy or barely there clothing (a baggy top once fell completely off during a Pilates class and one of the yoga classes I teach has a lot of men), but it's definitely worth a shot if it will keep the wardrobe malfunctions at bay.


    I completely agree with your comment about curves coming in different radii. Even in my own body, I noticed a marked difference between my before weight gain, after weight gain, and after weight loss dimensions.
  • ssurvivor
    ssurvivor Posts: 142 Member
    penfrydd wrote: »
    I guess I need to check my glasses. I thought the question was about curry!

    Haha! That would certainly make an interesting question too!
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    The Golden Ratio - 1.618.

    Ideally bodybuilders strive for a complimentary measurement 1.618x greater or lesser than another - thinking hips to waist, bicep head to brachii (median), etc.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    To me - curvy has always been an hourglass shape or shape as in photo— but I think the term has been co-opted as a more P.C. word for chunky +


    2zalkps3ft0n.jpeg

    Agree with this.


  • s131951
    s131951 Posts: 3,776 Member
    I was going say that visual aids are helpful
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Women seem to say “curvy” when they dislike their hip or bust size. Some clothing brands identify the actual measurement differences between styles like regular cut, slim cut, and curvy cut.
    Re: a comment van I’ve, I don’t consider 14-16 as “plus” size. They’re regular sizes. Plus sizes are 1x, 2x etc. which usually starts at size 18-20.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Women seem to say “curvy” when they dislike their hip or bust size. Some clothing brands identify the actual measurement differences between styles like regular cut, slim cut, and curvy cut.
    Re: a comment van I’ve, I don’t consider 14-16 as “plus” size. They’re regular sizes. Plus sizes are 1x, 2x etc. which usually starts at size 18-20.

    I didn't "disagree" with your post - but I don't necessarily think the same way on this either.
    Most stores seem to consider regular misses sizes as ending with 12, and 14 begins the plus category.
    But I also think it's interesting a 12 or 14 at Lane Bryant (for example) is much larger than a 12 or 14 at other retailers like Eddie Bauer and Gap (in my past experience). I dunno the "answer" to this really.

    I have also seen clothes labeled as 1X (14-16) or 1X (18-20). Confusing for sure!

    Back on this topic, I had someone telling me recently that I'm too skinny to be considered curvy. This made me laugh as I am definitely NOT skinny. I currently wear 34DD bra and can only fit my size 10 pants if they have stretch or are cut to fit my WIDE hips. Some people really have it in their minds these days that curvy now means very large ladies.

    Haven’t checked lately, but several years ago, a 16w was the same bust and hip size as an 18 misses. This would explain why a Lane Bryant 12(woman’s) is bigger than a Gap12 (miss).
  • sarabear500
    sarabear500 Posts: 10 Member
    Curvy is pear shaped or hourglass shape in my opinion. I'm pear shaped and even at my fittest (like 6 pack abs fit) I was a curvy girl. Pants never fit right. Too small in the booty but right hem length. Just right in the booty but too long in the hem length. I learned to sew pretty fast. When I think curvy I also think like brazillian girls. Most are curvy and thick and super fit. Break that one down!