[Aithinne]

I was reading some random article today about 'butterfaces' and it made me really sad. It was basically saying how most men would rather date a woman with a nice body than a nice face and how a woman's body is the most important thing blah blah. It wouldn't have upset me if I didnt think it was true! I've had that conversation with some really intelligent, decent men and theyve always kindof said the same thing.

It's weird, I've heard both from men- that either the face is more important or the body is. Have there been scientific studies on this topic? I've heard men say that as long as a woman has an attractive face, the body doesn't matter so much, but I've also heard from men that the body is what attracts them more. I'm not sure if this difference in men is biological or simply natural variation in what attracts them. Of course, men (and women as well) probably find different cues in both the face and the body for general health and reproductive potential. There's been numerous studies suggesting that the most attractive face is the most symmetrical face (and I imagine this probably extends to a desire for bilateral symmetry of the rest of the body as well, though I'm not aware of any studies on body symmetry and attraction). But on the other hand, there's been a lot of research on the waist-hip ratio (I think a 0.7 ratio is the most attractive), which fortunately has nothing to do with breast size... yay! Many people mistakingly associate large breasts with a better ability to breastfeed babies, but this is a complete myth and has been shown to be false. So I think men probably look at both the face and the body as sort of an overall summary of a woman's health and reproductive potential, but what they cite as more attractive (face vs. body) may be more of a matter of simple variation.

Lol, now that my fun biology hypothesizing is over, I'd have to say that I am not sure whether I secretly hope men are more into face or body. I'm not sure if I consider my own face or body to be more attractive than the other. Both have positives and negatives: on the face, I've got huge chipmunk cheeks (-), but awesome big blue eyes and long eyelashes (+), on the body, I've got darker body hair that is hard to get rid of (-) but a general shape that I like (+). Interestingly, I don't even have bad boobie days that often anymore and don't even consider them a negative.

Good stuff on the face vs. body conversation ladies.. I'd be interested to take another guy poll.

[buttercups]

Wow Starship, sounds like what you read was pretty close to what I heard on the radio today. Made me feel pretty bad about myself too during which I tried to make myself feel better by saying well guess ive got 2 out of those 3 things bc my ass is definitely there! It just hurts to be told that you don't have the first thing that guys notice. Im trying really hard not to value myself by guys opinions but things have been rough on me lately- im under so much stress and i find that whenever i'm stressed i tend to take it out on my body image. Wish i could find another natural way to deal.

another thing i hate is when girls with boobs a little bigger than mine say they want implants. i dont know it just triggers this bad thing inside of me. I guess because I kind of rely on other smallies for support and when I see someone close to my size (never really seen anyone quite this small) i kind of look up to them and try to take on their confidence, so when they say they want implants its like that confidence i was trying to channel was really false. And then I think well if they are doubting themselves why shouldnt i? Crazy I know.

i def check out other women's breasts all the time too. I have like a radar for it and I especially notice it when I'm with my bf and feeling inferior. I'll think that maybe he's looking at them thinking "why did I settle for this when I could have THAT??" *sigh*

I am on the petite side at just 5'1 and 95 lbs or so, but I've seen a lot of bigger girls with small breasts and I'm always jealous thinking "if only I had that height and weight I wouldn't look like a 12 year old boy"- so Starship I would love to look like you and some of you other taller ladies. Grass is always greener right?

Spot-on I'm sorry youve been feeling bad lately, obviously you can tell I know how that feels. I have up days and down days like I'm sure you do too, so knowing that then you can know that this too shall pass. * hugs*

Sorry for the double post! <3

[buttercups]

Hey ladies, haven't been able to get on in awhile bc school has been kickin my ass! So i havent read anyones post yet but i just wanted to tell you what i heard on the radio today. They were talking about what attracts women most and the people on the radio decided that women are more attracted to whats from the neck up and men are more attracted to whats from the neck down. When they polled men about what they noticed first on women it was, of course, boobs boobs boobs. Followed by butts and brains in that order. Yea it made me feel kinda shitty in a "what else is new" kinda way. But then I thought well hey..2 out of 3 ain't bad hahah.

Ok now on to reading your posts..

*much love*

[spot-on]

Strongirl, that's good to know! I think I'll still be in junior clothes regardless cos womens just don't fit right. Good to see an older smallie that's still shopping in the junior section Gives me hope! lol!

Starship I'm 5'4" I dunno if that's petite or not? Kinda average sized I think? If I could guarantee the outcome of a boob job I think I'd go for it (today, ask me tomorrow the answer may be different). But I know that with a low body fat % like I have, and small boobs I'd get the 1/2 coconuts shoved down a sweater look. I'd love the pendulous teardrop breasts. *sigh* Guess I wasn't feeling as good as I thought I was about my boobs lately

Kerabear phsysical activity in of itself doesn't really affect breast size, but body fat % does, so it can be kinda related. My feeling is that your friend put on fat, which increased her breast size, it's possible to put on weight (and take off weight) without affecting breast size, but it's not healthy as too much fat isn't healthy. I recently lost 25lbs and have dropped a band size. Not sure about cup size yet, supposedly you go up a cup size if you go down a bandsize, but 32B is hard to find in our area so I don't know if I am 32A or 32B yet. I'm a fitness instructor and bigger boobs would be a little uncomfortable for the amount of activity I do.

Chesticles was me also That's what DH calls them sometimes. Men have 100's of names for boobs don't they? lol, regardless of their size!

[KeraBear]

lux, i am also mostly a lurker. This place is wonderful. But i do like to post something from time to time. About looking younger, of course, i look like a teenager since i am! LOL What annoys me is when i am handed the kids menus at restaurants. It doesn't happen as much anymore, but it was pretty frequent when i was a freshman 5 feet tall, a little under 100 lbs and barely out of a training bra. Now i am 17 and 110 pounds, but still very much petite (to answer a recent question).

Here is a question. How much do you think physical activity has to do with breast size? It has to be a factor because a friend of mine blew out her knee and had to stop doing sports and her AAs exploded into a C cup or something like that seemingly overnight! It was pretty wild. Kinda makes me wonder what would happen if i gave up my favorite sports.... i would never sacrifice my active lifestyle though. And besides i doubt it is like that way for everybody.

Also one of you called your breasts your "chesticles" which i really got a kick out of. I call mine my "booblets". ha ha... anybody else have any cute names for your breasts?

[lux]

hi guys, a long time lurker here. i did write here a bit a few years ago, but it's been a while... haven't been writing for a while because i'm feeling better about my body. but i'm an avid reader, i still need a place where there's support and i don't feel like an idiot thinking about my boobs. so thanks for all of you active, beautiful writers!

starship - you're not the only one who's not petite. i'm 5'8, and most of my weight is on my butt and thighs, so my 34A breasts are a bit out of proportion. and that's the size i've "achieved" with unwanted weight gain and BC. not that i could be considered petite before that either. i know what you mean about bigger looking completely natural. just wanted you to know that you're not alone here:)

[starship]

Just wondering if the majority of you in here are what would be considered petite? A lot of posts make it sound this way and also alot of the women i see with small breasts are too. I'm definately not petite- about 5'7 with quite a large ribcage etc- and this is why i think i have a problem with my breast size. I dunno if it's just me but on short tiny women i think small boobs look perfect and not out of place at all..but on myself it just seems like they don't match the rest of me and just look really weird and abnormal. I saw a chinese woman on tv the other day getting a boob-job and i was waiting for the 'after' expecting it to look awful and unatural but it really didnt. Hate to admit but the idea of surgery has started to creep back into my thoughts again:/

I was reading some random article today about 'butterfaces' and it made me really sad. It was basically saying how most men would rather date a woman with a nice body than a nice face and how a woman's body is the most important thing blah blah. It wouldn't have upset me if I didnt think it was true! I've had that conversation with some really intelligent, decent men and theyve always kindof said the same thing.

Oh and spot-on i look at other womens breasts all the time! mainly when i'm having bad days and feeling negative about my own body. I can spot a cleavage from a mile off... can't help but feel a bit of a pervert lol

sometimes I buy junior tops but most of the time they're too short or dont look very flattering. Wish I could all the time though- I'd save a fortune! I buy sweatshirts from the little boys section in H&m (to wear indoors), Kind of a downer to think i can fit into stuff made for 14year old boys lol but they do only cost £6 (about $12 i thinkk) whereas I'd have to pay at least 3x as much in the women's section. every cloud has a silver lining i guess

[strongirl]

"Not sure how I'll feel in 10 years time when I still fit in junior clothes? lol!" Spot-on - I'm 48 and it's still working for me. And I've been carded twice in the past few months. I'd love it if some 58 year old would post here and tell me she's still pulling it off and I have another fun decade ahead but I doubt that's gonna happen. I think I'm the granny in this forum.

Re. checking out out other women, I do it sometimes but since I'm kinda bi, it's usually sexual when I do it, not comparing myself to them. Oddly, I find I'm more turned on to women who are very large (what most people would say is too large, but not implanted), or women who are small like me or smaller, like no surrounding tissue. Those looks tend to be more exciting to me than normal, average (ie. boring). And perfect? I don't believe in perfect. So it's funny when people post in here "oh, if I had a B or C cup that'd be perect!", I can see that for myself maybe it would make me more attractive to more people if I had that, but in terms of what I like in other women, it's less attractive to me.

[spot-on]

Yep same here. Not sexual but you couldn't miss this pair. She was wearing a tank top, with a great bra underneath that just showed them off perfectly. Just one of those days where you just know that genetically you were in the back of the boob line y'know. Feeling better about my boobs today...

[karategrrl]

I am all about the junior clothes, too, though i stay away from the REALLY young-looking junior stuff. I do like some stuff at Ann Taylor, H&M too, that sort of thing. I agree with whoever said that you find brands you like, that fit and flatter you well.

And yes, spot-on, I do find myself checking out other boobs--not that often at all, but sometimes. Andit's not sexual, either. sometimes I can't help but be envious. Just the other day I was looking the Urban Outfitters site and getting a bit annoyed b/c there was model there with a stick-thin figure and pretty good-sized breasts, and they looked natural. That shit makes me think the world just ain't fair.

[spot-on]

For sure! I think we become the MILF's You'll nearly always get carded for buying alcohol (I still do) and you'll find you outgrow clothes less than the curvier women. At least that's my experience and that of smallie friends. I got married 10 years ago and still fit in my wedding dress In fact I'd say it's a little roomier now.

We get away with more fashionable stuff too, and sexier stuff. We have the body for it, why not? 37 years old and sitting here in my size 3 jeans, and my junior crop t-shirt with the logo "obey the monkey". I can carry it off still yet on a bigger boobed woman it would look trashy I think?

Not sure how I'll feel in 10 years time when I still fit in junior clothes? lol!

So I do have something to look forward too down the road then when many people out there think I pass for a teenager myself.

[spot-on]

Does anyone else find themselves looking at other womens boobs a lot? Is this something just us smallies do, or just a 'woman thing'. I saw a woman today who had perfect boobs. If I could pick any pair, those would be them. She was slim and athletic looking, with nice firm, bouncy boobs. I'd say a nice full 34C. It was all I could do not to run up to her and compliment her on her great boobs. They weren't fake either, at least if they were they were excellent fakes! Actually I'd probably choose them a little smaller for myself as my body was slightly smaller than hers but yeah nice boobs!

*sigh* bad boob day for me

[Allison-Shine]

. Hey I'm not ashamed to say I am 37 and have the body of a teenager! Most people would jump at the chance to say that!

So I do have something to look forward too down the road then when many people out there think I pass for a teenager myself.

[Allison-Shine]

LOL

Not to mention I find juniors styles more attractive, and I know what brands fit me.

Same here and I can still get away with wearing them myself !

[spot-on]

Well for me I find the junior Tees longer in the body (unless specifically crop tees). I never knew there was a difference between junior and women/misses sizing till I tried them on. Now I am all over the junior brands! And yep they tend to be more stylish I think. You can find some basics but they do tend to be more fashion centric, which isn't always a bad thing.

I know now that if I see Angel, So or LEI in my size it will fit. Can't say that with womens brands. Even the womens tees tend to hang funny on me. Hey I'm not ashamed to say I am 37 and have the body of a teenager! Most people would jump at the chance to say that!

LOL

Not to mention I find juniors styles more attractive, and I know what brands fit me.

[honeybunch]

Hahah I'm 37 and wearing junior sizes! I don't think there is an age restriction so we're good! The style does tend to flatter my figure better than womens sizes though so tough. I plan on always wearing juniors, ya know, unless my boobs miraculously decide to have a growth spurt, ROFL!

LOL

Not to mention I find juniors styles more attractive, and I know what brands fit me.

[spot-on]

Hahah I'm 37 and wearing junior sizes! I don't think there is an age restriction so we're good! The style does tend to flatter my figure better than womens sizes though so tough. I plan on always wearing juniors, ya know, unless my boobs miraculously decide to have a growth spurt, ROFL!

Yes, to juniors sizes. I'm 22, and I don't think I'll ever stop wearing juniors clothes. I don't care what anyone says lol.

I actually think the straight across tops looks better. I look like a d-o-g- in v necks.

[honeybunch]

I know what you mean about junior sizes fitting better. Which is somewhat unfortunate because it's not always the type or style that I like to wear. I like more classic styles, which junior sizes tend to not have so much of. I tend to buy much of my clothes from Ann Taylor Loft.. Their prices are not too bad, and on sale day you can come away with some well made, nice clothing for not very much money. Plus, they seem to be made for smaller women. I really can't find another store that carries clothes I like in small enough sizes to fit me correctly without looking like a little girl putting on clothes two sizes too big. Their clothes make me feel like I've actually got curves, whereas most other places just make me feel like a curveless, androgynous...thing. Idk though, if you do thrift stores and make your own clothes, I guess my suggestion is not so helpful.

Also, another thing I've noticed about clothes... If you're smaller in the bust and are looking for a cami, I think the ones that are cut with a v-neck look better than ones that are cut straight across the chest. It seems kind of counter-intuitive, but I think the v-neck shirts give the illusion of more curve in the bust by drawing attention to it, but shirts cut straight across the chest make what boobies you do have disappear. The v-necks give a more hourglass illusion.

Yes, to juniors sizes. I'm 22, and I don't think I'll ever stop wearing juniors clothes. I don't care what anyone says lol.

I actually think the straight across tops looks better. I look like a d-o-g- in v necks.

[spot-on]

I am really starting to think it depends on the overall figure of a person. Because that would look like a billowing tent on me . I don't have the curves to pull it off, and the neckline is one I avoid as it looks horrid on me. lol See I prefer the tighter clothing than the draped/flowing.

I look better in separates rather than dresses so that's one reason to avoid dresses I guess. I have a great ass though so I like to focus on that

Speaking of clothes, I think this kind of silhouette is flattering to my figure (and looks like it could be flattering to many different shapes). I don't have a dress like it, but I get the same effect from wearing a pencil skirt with a loose-ish tee or sleeveless blouse. It shows off the waist, hips, and legs and drapes nicely on top. It creates some mystery and is more flattering than a really tight top (on me at least). I also get a similar effect from a loose silk dress I have that ties at the waist.

Oh yeah, I loathe turtlenecks on myself. Maybe they're one of those things that are really best on "average" figures? I saw a really sophisticated wool turtleneck sweater dress, but I thought I'd look like too much of a stick in it. But then I thought it wouldn't really be flattering to the super-curvy ladies either. I pictured it on a classic beauty like Grace Kelly.

ETA: Another reason I don't like turtlenecks is I don't really have a strong jaw. I literally look like a turtle in them.

[spot-on]

Ewwww I don't do bows, but wouldn't do the sailor look if they paid me! I'm just not a girly girl I guess. Frills and flouncy just ain't me.

spot-on, a pussy-bow is a blouse with a big droopy bow in the centre of the neckline - I think they were popular the other year as part of 'secretary chic'. And T&S were against them for biggies, and for them for smallies (ditto tops that are ruffled or otherwise embellished in the booby region).

I confess that in the early days of T&S I thought they were all-knowing gods and followed their rules religiously.