Fashion And Sexuality

In the 1960s, the new era of liberation brought with it changes in the way people
expressed their sexuality through the way they dressed.

Although most of the population remained conservative in the way they dressed, there
was a growing acceptance of revealing new fashion, such as the mini skirt. Beachwear
such as the bikini started to become more revealing, with string sides becoming popular
in the 1970s and 80s, and variations becoming more revealing through the 1990s and
2000s.

The popularity of figure hugging denim jeans has been a mainstay of fashion through to
the present day, with low-hipster jeans revealing more of women’s torsos, and male
jeans becoming more accentuated in the crotch area.

Women’s fashion in particular has produced styles that attempt to be more revealing,
more provocative, and accentuate aspects of feminine sexuality.

In 1994, actress Elizabeth Hurley attracted media attention when she wore a revealing
black dress by Versace, held together at the sides with giant safety pins. Many other
celebrities have attempted to outdo each other by wearing revealing fashions at awards
ceremonies, copies of which have made their way into the high street fashion stores.
Short skirts, high heels, low fronts, low backs, and push-up bras all designed to be
provocative.

Children’s fashion has also been criticised on occasions for sexualising children.
Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch were criticised in 2002 for producing children’s
clothing which was criticised as sexually provocative. They produced a range of thongs
for young girls with graphics featuring the words ‘eye candy’ and ‘wink wink’. They
went under further criticism when they produced a padded bikini top for girls age 7.
Another fashion retailer, American Apparel, ended up in court in Canada for an
advertisement featuring a young model in a short pleated skirt. In the UK, the British
Advertising Standards Authority banned and American Apparel advertisement, stating
that is resembled child pornography.

Parents have been criticised for allowing their children to take part in competitions such
as ‘little miss’ pageants, where very young girls are made-up and dressed to look older
than they are. Many experts have expressed concerns that as well as presenting an
inappropriate image of young girls, it can also psychologically damage the girls.

In 2010, controversy surrounded a performance by 7 year old girls at the national World
of Dance competition in the United States. The performance was to the song by
Beyoncé called ‘Single Ladies’, during which the girls, who were dressed in revealing
 costumes, gyrated on stage. Their performance was later called “wildly
inappropriate” and “sexually provocative” by Dr. Phil McGraw.

According to Tracy Dennis, associate professor of psychology at Hunter College in the

USA, it is much more common for children to be sexualised today than in previous
generations.

Female music artists often use provocative fashion and stage costumes to depict their
image. Two of the most notable singers in recent times who have attracted media
attention through their use of revealing or outright sexual, costumes are Madonna and
Lady GaGa – who often depict domination, and BDSM themes through their on-stage
fashion.