[Michele26]

Ladies, here's a heartening news flash: Thin is NOT in. Men crave curves.

From AOL Personals

While American women see super-thin stick models and feel unattractive and unhappy about their average or curvy bodies, men don't feel the same way. Fully 80 percent of men ages 18 to 50 say they want a voluptuous woman, according to former plus size model Nancy Hayssen, who has written a book every woman could love based on the title alone: "101 Sexy Secrets: How to Be Hot, Sexy & Beautiful at ANY Size!" Another 15 percent of men prefer a woman of average size, while just 5 percent opt for a super skinny lady.

Twenty years ago, most fashion models were a size 8. Today, that's been replaced by an emaciated size 0. Meanwhile, during those same two decades, the average American woman, who stands 5' 4", ballooned from a size 10 to a size 14. Fun fact: A 14, which is now considered a "plus size," was approximately sex bomb Marilyn Monroe's dress size.

"We're being lied to everyday. The fashion industry and Hollywood have spread the myth that men want skinny, anorexic-looking women," asserts Hayssen. "The truth is it's plus size or curvy women who are considered beautiful."

That sentiment was echoed in a recent poll of 4,000 adults conducted by British weekly magazine Grazia to find out the ultimate attractive man and woman. Men overwhelmingly said they are most attracted to women who have curves, rather than skinny women, and prefer brunettes with "long, wavy hair." And 78 percent said a woman's most attractive feature is her smile.

Men are a practical lot. Three-quarters said the hobby they find most attractive in the opposite sex is cooking.

So what do women want in a man? A stunning 93 percent are looking for someone who makes them laugh, while 73 percent want someone who will "automatically" pay for a meal. Men who own their own home are five times more attractive than a man who does not. OK, so women are practical, too.

[SOLIDGOLD2]

Im happry i never feel for what the media say is is because i have always thought those skinny no curve boy looking bodies women have are ugly and curvy is stunning beautiful and ME.

[keya]

well, to be fair, you can be thin and still curvy...

[IntlSet]

I actually find that because men see all these super skinny women, they've adopted the aesthetic of the media. It freaks me out when I exclaim over how thin someone is (or an actress, whatever) and my boyfriend thinks the girl looks completely "normal."

[Sweetpea83]

Originally Posted by keya

well, to be fair, you can be thin and still curvy...

[amanda]

i'll say that it varies widely from man to man, but I'm 22 years old and a size 16 (considered 'plus size' by most segments of the fashion industry) and i have absolutely zero problem getting the attention of attractive men. i think women have done the overthin thing to themselves, and that it has never been a reflection of what men found attractive. i have some male friends that are absolutely GORGEOUS (including a former abercrombie and ralph lauren model), and i hear them complain about boney women fairly often when they see someone that's overly thin, although THEY themselves fit the conventional definition of male beauty...if that makes any sense...

it may also be slightly regional. i think southern men like their women a little thicker.

[Sunshine]

I have been a size 4 and a 16. Currently a 10/12 depending on the designer. i have not had any trouble meeting men at any size. I agree that it depends on the man! I have a friend that thinks Im fat but he only likes skinny girls...I think its all what you like!

[BTBF]

I agree that some men like his woman has some meat on. I think it's the women that want to be skinny...skinner than other women.

For me, I really don't care if people think I am skinny, have nice figure, hot or whatsoever. In my eyes, I am fat and that is it.

[devoted]

Marilyn Monroe at her peak was AT MOST a today's size 6.

14?! Yeah, after she gained a lot of weight later on. Don't get me wrong, she's gorgeous at any size.
and when she first started out as an model/actress she looked like a size 2 or 4.

[TejasMama]

Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than an authentic smile, a bit of confidence and a kind heart.

[shmooey]

Originally Posted by IntlSet

I actually find that because men see all these super skinny women, they've adopted the aesthetic of the media. It freaks me out when I exclaim over how thin someone is (or an actress, whatever) and my boyfriend thinks the girl looks completely "normal."

I've found the same tendency among my guy friends. Like, Kate Winslet in Titanic is "kinda fat." The problem with surveys asking men if they prefer "skinny or curvy" is that curvy for many men means a size 2 with curves, not a size 8. So most men will prefer Scarlett Johansson to Mary-Kate Olsen.

And yes, I do wish articles like this one will stop using Marilyn Monroe and remember that clothing sizes were smaller back then.

[dollyrusso]

Originally Posted by devoted

Marilyn Monroe at her peak was AT MOST a today's size 6.

14?! Yeah, after she gained a lot of weight later on. Don't get me wrong, she's gorgeous at any size.
and when she first started out as an model/actress she looked like a size 2 or 4.

yes, I've always heard that she was the equivalent of a size 6 today also.

I've recently gained 10 lbs which is a lot for me. I have never seen my husband so happy so I'm going to agree with this post. I am amazed at his reaction to my recent weight gain. All he talks about is my body and he's constantly hugging me and grabbing at me lol! I told him that I am dieting and he begged me not to lose the weight. I'm usually a size 4 but right now am fluctuating between a 6 and 8. i'm 5'4. I've also been hit on more in the last 2 weeks than I have been in a year AND was whistled at when I walked into work today

[caxe]

I think a lot of it is cultural, because different culture within the American population have traditionally held different standards of beauty. So your self-perception depends by and large whom you're trying to make yourself attractive to. However, this is not set in stone, as there will be men of all cultures who like thin women, just as there will be a few from all cultures who prefer heavier women.

[~Fabulousity~]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea83

yup! i'm thin but have hips and thighs...

[sonya]

Originally Posted by IntlSet

I actually find that because men see all these super skinny women, they've adopted the aesthetic of the media. It freaks me out when I exclaim over how thin someone is (or an actress, whatever) and my boyfriend thinks the girl looks completely "normal."

I agree with this.

AND I also have some male friends, financially well-off, who only want to be seen with a tall, thin model type. Behind closed doors, however, they prefer to be with someone with a different aesthetic.