Posted on 12/27/2005 12:37:30 PM PST by Millee
One of the greatest female dilemmas - does my bum look big in this? - will be answered by a team of researchers.
Scientists in Scotland are launching what may be the world's first study into how clothing can affect the appearance of the female derriere.
Female volunteers wearing hundreds of different types of clothing will have their bottoms photographed for the research.
And in what is most girl’s worst nightmare, participants will then be asked to look at the pictures to assess how big or small each model's backside appears.
The study aims to examine how various designs, colours, patterns and fabric types affect perception of bottom size.
And Heriot Watt University's School of Textiles and Design believes the study could have major implications for retailers.
Head researcher, Dr Lisa Macintyre, says four models had been chosen to provide a sample of female rears.
One has a ''standard'' womanly backside while another has a much fuller ''pre-Raphaelite'' bum. The third model was slim with a small bum while another had a curvier behind like Jennifer Lopez.
''There's much discussion in the media of clothing styles that flatter the body and it's generally accepted that enhancing body perception can improve confidence and self-esteem,'' Dr Macintyre said.
''But the factors behind this have never been fully investigated in a proper scientific manner.
''Designers and consumers don't currently have access to established information that could enable them to make or choose garments that enhance body size and shape.
''This study will provide for the first time detailed and usable information that would enable designers to make the clothes that help women make the most of their natural assets.''
The results from the first phase of the study are to be published in May.
- agencies
Likely judges ping...
My ex-gf used to ask that. I finally got the correct reponse to her: "Nope. Hey, Does my belly look big in this shirt? I don't think so. What do you think?" She stopped asking after that reply.
When a woman asks me "Does my butt look big in this?" I have to resist the urge to start singing the Sir Mix Alot song because it is true of my thinking..
I like a girl with a fanny to her.
It's a man-trap question. If the question has to be asked then the answer is probably yes. (That's why I never ask it!) ;o)
Isn't this a waste of time? Sounds totally useless to me, unless you first establish a universally accepted definition of "too big" in this context.
Where are the JLo pics?
Seriously, this thread should become a "big-butt" picture festival in no time.
Thanks! excellent job!
Oh that one is easy.
So where do we sign up to be a judge in this study?
Sometimes it is a trick question women ask men so that they can feel good about being angry at the guy.
Had an ex who would do that specifically.
(Sometimes it is a trick, meaning specifically my ex.)
My missus learned not to ask me the questions for reasons connected with my Roman Hands in response to said question.
A whiz probing a bum conundrum? That's gotta hurt...
*whew* I thought this was yet another Brokeback Mountain thread.
Good thing this "research" is taking place overseas. Otherwise, Washington would figure out a way to fund it.
They still might. How was your Christmas, Mike? Santa good to you?
Very good, Millee. This year he left two lumps of coal.
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