In recent times, the question that guys fear most coming out of a girl's mouth is 'Does my bum look big in this?'. We lasses have had to grapple the subtle differences between a big bum and a curvaceous one and we have had to note the peaks and troughs of the popularity of a pronounced tush. Connected with this is the rise of the hips. Alexander McQueen's spring summer 2007 collection was all about accentuating early 20th century-style hippage. Now, coming from someone who is not exacty well-endowed hip area, the look is not entirely there for comic value.
Exaggerated hips like these depicted in Purple's Spring Summer 2007 issue may make people giggle and get dismissed as 'ridiculous' but I'm strangely attracted to the surreal quality of it. So much so, I'm tempted to buy some vintage girdles and experiment. Afterall, it is only one level up on wearing breeches which also add extra hippage.
I know the ones who are lucky enough to have hips will be groaning and moaning but I don't see this as any different to adding volume via smocks, blousy sleeves, puffball skirts. Yes, perhaps it is more literally pronounced but it's a play on volume nonetheless. This is however all an initial 'Hmm... I wonder...' so we shall see where some vintage girdles, some padding and a lot of Dutch courage takes me.....
(Pics from editorial 'Chelsea Hotel', photographed by Richard Bush from Purple Spring Summer 2007 taken from here)
