Saturday, February 6, 2021

Wearing cheongsam motivates women to maintain flat stomachs? Forum letter stirs debate online

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/wearing-cheongsam-motivates-women-maintain-flat-stomachs-forum-letter-stirs-debate-online
By Kimberly Anne Lim,kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 15 January 2021 at 11:25 am


While the cheongsam may not be a mainstay in the modern woman's wardrobe, the body-hugging gown still enjoys some popularity whenever Chinese New Year rolls around.
PHOTO: While the cheongsam may not be a mainstay in the modern woman's wardrobe, the body-hugging gown still enjoys some popularity whenever Chinese New Year rolls around.
Picture posted by Kyousuke
Picture saved by T-Rex2017 to Qibao beauties
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While the cheongsam may not be a mainstay in the modern woman's wardrobe, the body-hugging gown still enjoys some popularity whenever Chinese New Year rolls around.

It has also emerged as a recent hot topic online after a Straits Times Forum letter published on Jan 12 proposed an unconventional use for the dress — as motivation for women to maintain a flat stomach.

Titled "Can the cheongsam also motivate one to keep healthy?", the letter, penned by Liu I-Chun, waxed lyrical on the allure of the traditional cheongsam, citing Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung, writer Catherine Lim and businesswoman Chew Gek Khim as style inspiration.


ST forum letter writer: Wearing cheongsam can help women keep stomach flat
https://mothership.sg/2021/01/st-forum-cheongsam-flat-stomach/


In fact, Liu was so enamoured with the cheongsam that she bought three pieces on a trip to Shanghai 18 years ago, she shared.

"I have tried to maintain my weight over the years through healthy eating and regular exercise so that I can continue to wear them.

"I wonder if having more women wear the cheongsam regularly might help them to curb any weight gain."

Confused about the link between wearing a cheongsam and curbing weight gain?

Well, according to Liu, it's because flat stomachs are "aesthetically appealing" when wearing the tight-fitting dress.


According to Liu, it's because flat stomachs are 'aesthetically appealing' when wearing the tight-fitting dress.
PHOTO: According to Liu, it's because flat stomachs are "aesthetically appealing" when wearing the tight-fitting dress.
Picture saved by Vincent to Fashion lady - Stunning Chinese actress Gong Li is 48 years old
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https://live.staticflickr.com/5552/13982592250_f81c672ff5_c.jpg
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It's not just purely for the sake of vanity though. She added that maintaining a flat stomach could improve health — a flatter stomach ostensibly indicates lower central obesity and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, as well as certain cancers.

Reposted on several social media sites, Liu's take quickly drew flak, as some netizens felt that it verged (similar) on fat-shaming.

The cheongsam's efficacy as a weight-loss method was also called into question when netizens pointed out that cheongsams come in a variety of sizes and aren't just for the slim.


The cheongsam's efficacy as a weight-loss method was also called into question when netizens pointed out that cheongsams come in a variety of sizes and aren't just for the slim.
PHOTO: The cheongsam's efficacy as a weight-loss method was also called into question when netizens pointed out that cheongsams come in a variety of sizes and aren't just for the slim.
PHOTO: Screengrab/ Internet
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, AsiaOne on 15 January 2021 at 11:25 am
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https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cheongsam.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/wearing-cheongsam-motivates-women-maintain-flat-stomachs-forum-letter-stirs-debate-online


The letter also drew the notice of gender equality advocacy group Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

Calling the letter's message "rather ludicrous", Aware wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jan 13):

"Conditioning women and girls to spend time, energy and money on 'maintaining' a perceived ideal weight is an insidious way to thwart their efforts towards independence and self-actualisation (and a way to foster eating disorders, which are worryingly common in Singapore and can be life-threatening).


Conditioning women and girls to spend time, energy and money on 'maintaining' a perceived ideal weight is an insidious way to thwart their efforts towards independence and self-actualisation.
PHOTO: "Conditioning women and girls to spend time, energy and money on 'maintaining' a perceived ideal weight is an insidious way to thwart their efforts towards independence and self-actualisation."
Picture saved by DataBoys saved to Portrait Drawing Technique
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"So it's disappointing to see regressive ideas like the ones in this letter — pushing women (not men! Just women) to curb weight gain for primarily aesthetic reasons — being disseminated by The Straits Times."


So it's disappointing to see regressive ideas like the ones in this letter — pushing women to curb weight gain for primarily aesthetic reasons.
PHOTO: "So it's disappointing to see regressive ideas like the ones in this letter — pushing women to curb weight gain for primarily aesthetic reasons."
Picture by Round Rhinestones Embroidery
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https://www.pinterest.at/pin/836121487041211342/


However, some felt that Liu made some valid points and opined that losing weight to improve one's health should not be frowned upon.


 However, some felt that Liu made some valid points and opined that losing weight to improve one's health should not be frowned upon.
PHOTO: However, some felt that Liu made some valid points and opined that losing weight to improve one's health should not be frowned upon.
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, AsiaOne on 15 January 2021 at 11:25 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweP2jKNCch6Tym-dZqFTXMvFEaa8x4mOnqurxS0HhKM14YxJraZtml_qATGkkY8UOZXYjyRNXss_1WvV0nelreju_dpRTQ_Upf-phj10OsgXVka5kgpjTTQ_Fq11CrS9SK038BMDX3FY/s1200/cheongsam2_1.jpg
PHOTO: It's not just purely for the sake of vanity though. Maintaining a flat stomach could improve health — a flatter stomach ostensibly indicates lower central obesity and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, as well as certain cancers.
Picture saved by Caesa rio to Ethnic in Woman!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoyrhLSKXiqo7B9rY3KlgwiyBUpumujAdV89SHJ_FSNsFsdSvCNTUZ-ApeD-rpns01W2g2ieilm5Pl6VVNtJz-2Ax4qes81dNeiKYcVEZ9CnN5EkdXcQbMUCqZb8hbC6DpCyDNU1mWIM/s921/7f6e04f0c4f8c9aad73341af156d1cd3.jpg
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During the Tang Dynasty, women dressing has became more and more daring.
PHOTO: During the Tang Dynasty, women dressing has became more and more daring. Fan Bingbing as the Empress depicted the upper-class women at the time wear clothes with half-breast exposed. As for the degree of exposure, refer to the erotic underwear in the adult store. Fan Ye Bingbing seems to be about to challenge the status of Liu Xiaoqing, not only starring in 武则天 Wǔ zétiān, but also preparing to reverse the case for the murderous lady. [2]
齐腰襦裙 Qí yāo rú qún - Waist skirt
Picture saved by klengleng saved to 齐腰襦裙 in Chinese Clothing
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https://www.pinterest.at/pin/211174969162947/


Many people questioned, did the women comrades of the Tang Dynasty wear clothes with half-breast exposed?
PHOTO: Many people questioned, did the women comrades of the Tang Dynasty wear clothes with half-breast exposed? Fan Bingbing retorted that this was the case at that time. The fact is that Fan Bingbing was generally right - the upper-class women at that time were all dressed in revealing clothes. As for the degree of exposure, check out the erotic underwear in the adult store. [2]
齐腰襦裙 Qí yāo rú qún - Waist skirt
Picture posted by rhqcncy
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkbTttsA47nvD593RimC-sd9S0l3PM0YmZQnwqHUSGgyIaFrFp2eHyCVUl6oTN0UxCod2u0BCZLlRihCUFcUX63vvoBFqwFkUth3FHjjtF9ABLgmEVQ-tDvPDHrZ7Q2qtzBdX7Pcux5c/s1024/bit71498205734_1.png
https://pic4.zhimg.com/80/v2-a221349967c2fc2851c8af6fd734ef23_1440w.jpg
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/339709969


It appears that not all are agreeable that a flat-stomach woman with Cheongsam is beautiful.
PHOTO: It appears that not all are agreeable that a flat-stomach woman with Cheongsam is beautiful. So what is a beautiful woman?
With reference to cheongsam (clothing), the Bible says that:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Picture posted by 許陳品 on 11 September 2020 at 22:26:01 - 武则天 Wǔ zétiān, the Empress of China
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MDbi0oeeG_g2lfmruMHQE889JfBxVwhhOgCEOPEgVaPBA7tMDTfk8hhOb95RdrB7_YuinrI3cPErnYRiWp2zpWeyDe17kI0Y5M4Pm5sI9FNj4yzumVqXcwKAav5pYlCyIyw4qwqXB1o/s1277/15363076715b9231d75a404_11.png
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https://www.dwnews.com/盘点台历史课本去中心化台湾官方如何重构历史下


Chinese Cheongsam erotic underwear
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 15 January 2021 at 11:25 am
 


Reference
[1] Kimberly Anne Lim,kimberlylim@asiaone.com,  AsiaOne, Wearing cheongsam motivates women to maintain flat stomachs? Forum letter stirs debate online, posted on 15 January 2021 at 11:25 am, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/wearing-cheongsam-motivates-women-maintain-flat-stomachs-forum-letter-stirs-debate-online

[2] rhqcncy, 唐朝女人穿着竟然如此开放, Tang Dynasty women dress revealingly (by exposing more body skin to view than usual), https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/339709969


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