Posts Tagged ‘ Spanx ’

The Best Gifts of 2010

December 23, 2010
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Just like it’s happened the last few years, it’s Labor Day and then all of a sudden it’s just a few days until Christmas. And I have errands I never ran, an attic full of unwrapped Santa toys (translation: an all-nighter ahead of me), a list of home improvements I wish we had made before hosting the family party, a few more gifts I should have bought, and I’m panicked there won’t be enough food or wine (even though there always is).

And so, like I do every year, I say, “To hell with it all, that’s not the point anyway,” and I make a list of all that is good, in order to reconnect with my Christmas spirit. And here at Hello Ladies, we have received many gifts this year. Allow us to share them with you.

The Best Gifts of 2010

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed bringing hope to people fighting for equality of all kinds everywhere.

Elena Kagan became a Supreme Court Justice, bringing a critical mass of women to the highest court.

Jill Miller Zimon, the writer behind the blog, Write Like She Talks, took office as a City Council Member in Pepper Pike Ohio. We don’t have any idea where Pepper Pike is, but  any smart woman blazing her way in politics is a gift to all of us.

Ten women won Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in journalism and the arts.

Writer Sady Doyle formed a Twitter army, and waged a battle against hate, misogyny and rape culture. Thank you Sady. Read about her efforts here.

Hollaback, the organization dedicated to ending street harassment, launched an iPhone app, as well as several more sites around the U.S.

And finally, we made real progress toward true gender equality when Spanx launched a line of shapewear for men. Welcome to the club boys.

Merry Christmas dear readers.

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Gender Equality Gets a Much Needed Lift

July 13, 2010
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A few months ago Sara Blakely, the genius behind Spanx®, introduced a compression undershirt for men and now the male shapewear category is taking off. This is big news for gender equality.

Men can buy the Abs Thermal Tank with a band of rubberflex to hold in their gut or the Extreme Collection Enhancer String. Who doesn’t need a little extra support? There’s the Priape Tummy Belt that promises to retain “moist warmth and body heat, so you shed excess water around your middle.” Mmmm, sounds lovely. And no collection would be complete without  the ultimate one piece body trimmer for all over control.

What does any of this have to do with equality for the sexes? It’s brilliant really. Men might not walk in our shoes but give them a day in shapewear and how can they not sympathize with the movement? Just imagine if the Paycheck Fairness Act ever actually gets to the Senate floor. While Mr. Senator’s saying, “Promotes lawsuits, blah, blah, blah, exposes corporations,” he starts thinking, “Oh my God my ribs are getting crushed. It’s hot in here. Let’s pass this bill.”

Or think of the CEO, so excited he can fit back into his favorite tailored shirt, he gives you a raise. And how can Hollywood executives possibly continue to promote such unhealthy and unattainable beauty standards when they are reduced to wondering if what they squished in is now popping out in all the wrong spots.

So we think shapewear for men could revolutionize life as we know it. Welcome to the real world boys. It sucks (you in).

Stop with the Female Empowerment

June 2, 2010
By

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When I mention to people that I write for a feminist blog, they sometimes get uncomfortable. The “F” word can really make people squirm. Personally, I think the other phrase that begins with “f” is much more disconcerting. I’m talking about “female empowerment.” Search for the phrase on Google. Mixed in with articles about teaching girls in third world countries to support themselves financially, you’ll find stories about “Sex and the City 2“, pole dancing, stripping, red lipstick, high heels, Spanx and vajazzling. Yes, I said vajazzling.

Vajazzling, for those of you who remain blissfully ignorant, is the art of bedazzling your vajayjay. And guess what? It is supposedly empowering. That’s right, according to some people, calling your vagina a made-up word and decorating it with crystals somehow sends a message to the world that you are woman, hear you roar. I haven’t quite figured out how. Go ahead and own your sexuality. Adorn your body. That’s all great. But don’t tell me that anything involving your “precious lady” and a $100 cash outlay is empowering. Fashion items and beauty habits that take up our precious time and hard-earned money aren’t acts of empowerment. They are simply fashion and beauty. And even that’s questionable.

Also in the “not” empowering category are Spanx, despite what psychotherapist, author, speaker Jane Shure wrote on the Huffington Post when the undergarment company rolled out a male version, “Men now get to experience some of the worst that our modern-day culture has to offer us in the way of self-empowerment. They, too, will get sucked into believing that they’ll feel more attractive and hold greater confidence when wearing this apparel.” That’s right, Spanx do suck you in – to your skinny jeans, not into the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

“Female empowerment” has been co-opted by marketers trying to hawk cosmetics, pushup bras and 4 inch heels and by those who profit from scantily clad women dancing on bars. But you know what this female finds empowering? Earning a living, getting a fair wage for my work, supporting women-friendly candidates, and mentoring other women. And, if I can do all of that Spanx-free, then more power to me.

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