The Big Boob Boom

Is this the long awaited return of the breast? It certainly seems that way as La Senza, Ulitmo, M&S and AnneSummer’s are all launching their own version of a super cleavage enhancing bra, almost simultaneously.

Likewise, curvaceous women are getting more attention in the media. Kelly Brook, for instance, is everywhere these days, and why shouldn’t she be? Her body is enviable among every woman and projects a much healthier image than your typical catwalk zombie. Not to mention, of course, men love her curves.

So, Why the sudden interest in breast size? It could be something to do with a certain someone (Elle “the body” McPherson) who flaunted her bountiful assets for Marc Jacobs in the Louis Vuitton show in March. In fact, the entire show featured curvier women such as Bar Rafaeli, Lara Stone and Karolina Kurkova. For me, focusing on their womanly shape made the clothes appear more desirable. This may well have instigated the change, as i have mentioned; there has been an undeniable “80’s revival” with regards to health triumphing over malnutrition.

Karolina Kurkova for Louis Vuitton a/w 2010

                                                                Thin and flat chested Heidi Verster for Louis Vuitton rst 2009. what a difference a year makes.

At first glance, it appears that only good can come from embracing a fuller figure, but then i began to think; is this where the image conscious girls will turn to next? Is a big-boob obsession really any better than a love for bones? I have met an abundance of females who desperately desire a fuller bust and, sure, these bras will give that illusion…..but it is only an illusion. A more permanent solution ( a boob job) is the only option for the type of girls who strive for perfection. Furthermore, what happens when you take a guy home and whip of your £20 miracle boob job bra? Boy, is he in for a shock!

 The “instant boob job” bra from Anne Summers

The sort of people who idolised the perfect size zero, will certainly take to a new fad like this and, to be honest, although there are serious consequences of weight loss, it is generally more reversible than a botched boob-job. A recent channel 4 documentary uncovered plastic surgery mis-haps. It showed the lengths that some people went to, to hunt out the cheapest surgery and, in most cases, they ultimately paid the price. Worryingly, i know a lot of girls who would do “anything” to get a boob-job. If 2010 is the year of the boob, it may well breed worse insecurities within young women and may have many similar disastrous consequences to the size-zero days.

The only way to ease the pressure off young women is to shift the focus completely from appearance to something deeper. However, that doesn’t make money, does it? All we can do is hope that these “miracle bras” can satisfy the needs, rather than fuel a hunger for something more.