How beauty is defined and what is considered sexy is subjective and a hotly-debated subject. The single most popular post on my blog is about my thoughts on beauty so it did not surprise me to witness the explosion of dialog on the internet and in the media since this image of Lizzi Miller graced page 194 of Glamour magazine.
What exactly is beauty? Is it photoshopped perfection? Is it the way a woman carries herself, the way she dresses, or how she expresses herself? Is it sexier to feel as comfortable as Lizzi appears when the photographer took this image, laughing and uninhibited in the moment?
Women have been applauding Glamour for placing this image of Lizzi in their magazine, but what do men think?
I was pleased to read most men were as enthusiastic as the women were to see a “real” woman in a magazine and considered Lizzi sexy. It is exciting to read about positive body images for women discussed by both sexes in such a healthy, realistic way.
In a recent article on Glamour’s blog, many men stated they saw her as sexy because of Lizzi’s look of confidence and obvious comfort with her body. Here’s what a few had to say:
“…I haven’t encountered many women like this, who would sit confidently in a position that exposed a ‘little extra.’ I’m more likely to notice a woman’s belly roll if it’s clear that she isn’t comfortable with it.”
“The only guys who would say this girl is not attractive, or who wouldn’t consider dating her, are the same trolls who would criticize Jessica Biel’s kneecaps. If a roll of fat would be a deal-breaker for a guy going on a date with this girl, all I have to say is, well, good, less competition for the rest of us! Of course she’s attractive–and this body type is a lot closer to what women actually look like in real life than what I usually see in magazines. Bravo to Glamour for showing it. How do I get a subscription?”
“Let’s see. She’s got great eyes, a nice smile, she’s… naked(!), and is comfortable enough with herself to laugh while posing in that nakedness. Yes–there’s no other word but sexy that comes to mind. I’ve dated women with her body type before–and I would again in a second. Her body is hot, but it’s the attitude that appeals to me more than the body itself.”
“She looks pretty sexy…but can I get a few more pics to be sure? Seriously, though, she looks a lot more like the women I find sexy (including my beautiful girlfriend) than most women in magazines.”
The firestorm of attention to this image has sparked an opportunity for men and women to discuss and embrace beauty–in all it’s shapes and forms–as well as talk about that special type of beauty that radiates from within. Lizzi has both and it is nice to see it recognized.
Thank you Lizzi for having the courage and confidence and thank you Glamour for publishing.
Comments
20 responses to “Men’s Thoughts on Lizzi Miller and Glamour”
I always find these stories to be heartening. Women should be portrayed as they are, not digitally altered to fit some abstract ideal of beauty.
I think those pictures of Lizzi are gorgeous. I’ve dated women who have that same body type and married two of them.
Not at the same time!
Women have enough to struggle with as far as equality with men goes – why should they try to live up to an idea of beauty many of them can not?
Too often you hear stories of teenage girls getting sick or developing eating disorders because they are trying to achieve this falsehood.
I say, “Women! Celebrate yourselves! We men will love a cherish you no matter what!”
Thanks for visiting today and leaving such a great comment. I am happy to read yet another positive comment from a man regarding Lizzi’s photo. She is a beautiful, confident woman.
I don’t have a clue who this woman is, but I think she stole my stomach. Well, more like copied it because mine is still there.
So, The Sweetest, are you happy to see someone with your stomach in Glamour magazine?
Women cause more heartache for other women than men do, at least when it comes to clothes and looks.
You guys are so hard on each other and yourselves that you don’t notice that most men don’t expect you to look perfect.
And if you have had children we really don’t expect your body to look exactly as it did. There are some pretty sexy things about a mother.
Just one more reason I like you so much Jack! Great insight and well stated. Thanks for the visit!
Well said, Jack!
There is something that is very sexy about the “mom-next-door.” My wife tells me it’s a biological thing – I find moms sexy because the “caveman” in my sees a fertile woman.
Well, maybe. But I don’t think that’s the entirety of it.
It’s been said by others, but I have to agree that confidence and comfortableness in a woman are sexy qualities. My wife is something close to 80 pounds over-weight (according to her doctor) and I think she’s the sexiest woman alive.
I agree with what you think sexy is in a woman! Good to read all of you guys leaving comments think moms are sexy. :)
I first said to myself, who the heck is Lizzi Miller? I still don’t know, to be honest.
But, apparently she got things going more than two years ago with some photo in Glamour that showed she wasn’t perfect?
My question is this — why would Glamour be blogging about something they did more than two years ago now? Or even recently? Seems to me that they would have tackled this subject, oh, when they ran the photo (from everything I could find, it happened in the August 2009 edition).
Is there something else recently that made this topic relevant to the magazine again?
These types of topics truly do make me wonder about society. Is there an allure to super models? Sure. But I think most sane people realize that the pinup dolls out there are not easy to come by. People like this Lizzi Miller should be applauded. Though she should have been applauded back in 2009. They should do a follow up story on her, so people can see what’s she’s like since that photo. Outside of that, I’m wondering why this is “news” again?
PJ, this is all stemming from a follow-up article that was written for Glamour’s website. One of Glamour’s employees realized that people in her circle were still talking about Lizzi and on of them commented, “What man wouldn’t want to date her?” Or something similar.
So, some men were interviewed and asked what they thought of Lizzi’s photos.
Naked Girl in a Dress put a link to this article at the bottom of her post.
I confess, I had to read it – I had no idea who Lizzi was either!
I am glad I could “educate” you and PJ then!!
As for “educate…”
Not sure if it’s educational! :) I say this not because you covered the topic or anything, because it was written well and now, thanks for OldTimeyDad pointing it out, that it’s timely.
But I usually stay away from topics like this. The whole idea is superficial and the world is like that. If a gal has to be a super model for someone to date, then people are superficial and a product of that type of environment.
Lizzi looks attractive to me. Based on looks alone, sure. She seems like someone who could be OK to date.
BUT — we are going off this to decide “what man wouldn’t date her?”
How do I know she’s not a bumbling idiot when I talk to her about certain subjects? I do I know she’s not someone who would drive me nuts with something else?
On the same token, how do I know that she wouldn’t blow me away with her amazing thoughts and something else?
Again, superficial topics. It’s timely because it’s how this world is. But it’s too bad it has to be this way. :(
Truthfully, I still don’t know who Lizzi is. I just know what she looks like.
Well said PJ. That exact point is why I mentioned inner beauty (the beauty that radiates from within) at the end of the post. It is about more than looks. I have known a few physically beautiful people who were not at all attractive because they were lacking in inner beauty. Follow the link in the post to my most popular blog post on the site. It is about the definition of beauty that most resonates for me.
Thanks for joining in this conversation!
Honestly, I didn’t even see that “source” link until you just pointed it out. It mixes too well with the site.
(Psst: Nakedgirl… in case I’m not the only one who missed it, maybe mix “source” with a few extra words so it just doesn’t blend in with the site?)
Absolutely fantastic photograph – and a well-said post.
Nothing more beautiful than a happy, confident woman!
x
Thanks Lady Estrogen! Lizzi is beautiful AND sexy inside and out. What adds to the physical appearance is that air of confidence and comfortableness with herself (as so many men commented on). This was a great image to spark valuable dialog on what is beautiful and sexy.
I definitely find this refreshing. If the media would be more honest in their photography, young girls wouldn’t spend so much time with their fingers down their throats for 10 years and then blogging about it for the next ten. The older you get, the more beautiful you realize you are BEING YOU (unless you suck, and you can fix that – stop being an asshole). I just wish there was a way to screw that into young girl’s heads so they could stop wasting their lives worrying about a pound here and a zit there. Then, obviously, women would Rule the World!
I agree Amy! About a month ago I told a friend that I know I am going to be more beautiful at 50 than I am right now because I am more beautiful now than I was at 30. How is that possible? Simple: I am more confident and comfortable with who I am as i age AND because I continue to work on my inner beauty, which I believe radiates from a person.
Sorry I can’t quite let this one go.
This video is making the rounds this morning in my Google+ circles. Watch it. All of you. You will jump up at the end and shout, “Hell ya!!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6wJl37N9C0
And here is a transcript:
http://dianasmanylifetimes.blogspot.com/2010/11/katie-makkai-pretty.html
Thanks for sharing this! I am heading over to watch the video, but also circle you on Google + as well.