I agree with the point that I'd expect Alison to have her own good fitting underwear. If I were a celeb, hopefully I could afford the best bras to lift my heavy bust to give me a better shape by creating the illusion of a waist and help my posture (I'm size 42J). I don't know how Alison dresses for her day job, so I don't know what she normally looks like.

I do remember reading Ann Widdecombe insisted on wearing her own underwear and that was a first for the show. That was not a success in any way shape or form, but the show's usual costume design of a leotard base just isn't suitable for a woman who isn't pretty flat chested, let alone a big busted woman. On DWTS I don't think a week goes by where a female celeb thinks a boob is going to escape!

Re Aliona's shoes last night - would she be wearing flats because she was dancing the Charleston?

Also, I'm going to stick up for kaycee using the expression 'real women' because I think it often is relevant and people shouldn't take offence. Of course every woman is a real woman, but the vast majority of women's clothes (not just in the dance world) are designed to look good on a small minority of women. The expression is widely understood and to say it shouldn't be used just sends the wrong message to the designers. It's a sad world where models are glad they are flat chested because they would get less work and designers' designs wouldn't look so good on the cat walk.

Rant over.

'Real' implies that other women are 'fake'. It is pretty offensive to be told that you're not 'real' because you don't look like a Rubens subject or that you're able to buy smaller sizes in shops. Your definition of 'flat chest' is also quite unsettling - Kristina is certainly not flat chested and her costumes are just fine.

Also haute couture isn't designed to be sold in shops. Models are canvases, not representations of the average customer.

Yes, I can well understand Alison's problems as I am overgenerously endowed myself, (not bragging, honestly !!) and it's a nuisance when you're trying to be active. But if she hadn't had proper, superbly fitting support wear made herself, surely the BBC could have arranged for it. It was just the same with Lisa last year, bust not supported properly and securely, and when dancing that means actual damage can be caused, quite apart from the bust descending almost down to waist level and therefore not looking too good, and the waist getting lost. Goodness knows what they were doing with Mark's outfit last night - dreadful.

I like Alison but yes she could be dressed to suit her shape.

The expression real women in these circumstances was originally meant to distinguish women like me and you from superthin catwalk models. It has only in recent years been used to divide women of all shapes and sizes. It's nothing to do with being Rubenesque or being able to fit in smaller sizes, but the expression is being twisted to make out that it is and designers must be pleased at women turning on each other that way. The SCD designers don't appear to be much better at dressing women with curves and it is great to see them get it right like they did with Sunetra last night.

Kristina is not flat chested, but she is not well endowed either and most of her costumes are designed to enhance her boobs. But if one strap snapped that would be a heck of a wardrobe malfunction. Look at her in the training room and you'll see she doesn't look nearly as busty as she does on the dance floor. Natalie on the other hand is what I would call flat chested. She even wears boob tubes in the training room, not something you see very often.

Haute coutre is what drives high street fashion and you've made my point exactly by pointing out models do not represent the average customer.

I have already apologised and said I didn't mean to cause offence to anyone. (Post no. 37).

I apologise again - I'm very sorry that I caused offence.

Kaycee, just spotted this. No worries and no offence taken, you've explained what you meant and I get it now. Have a great day.x

I'm not trying to cause offence either, but it does bug me that the fashion world and the media peddle the perception that you are not good enough if you are not thin - thin, not slim - and the 'real women' expression has been hijacked. Sorry, I'm rambling, so I'll just butt out of this discussion.

I think the "real" has become short-hand for "real-life" women as opposed to those professionals (models, actresses I guess) whose job requires being a certain shape.

I love you. In one sentence you have articulated the jumble of thoughts going round in my head on this particular day. Thank you.

Thank you; you have a great day too.

My post was in reference to the label as a whole, not your post, I did try to find your post but somehow missed it, I fully understand that you in no way meant it in a hurtful manner, probably most people using it don't, but it is, above we see again it used ti divide women, thin/slim women and overweight women as opposed to stick thin catwalk models, I would suggest that EVEN those disgusting stick thin women are very much REAL also!! BUT much apologies if I made you feel like I was taking a shot at you, I was not!!

My problem with that particular label is what message it may send to some young girl/woman out there who has body issues, if they feel worthless and have low self-esteem already what that label will do is confirm that the wider public agree with them, that they are lesser.

Ex world champion....

Ah, that narrows it down considerably, especially if coaching in UK .

From many years ago, I hasten to add..,,
On a similar theme, I didn't hear this myself, but someone told me that one judge ( perhaps more) that they knew, would not give any marks to any dancers he considered carried a bit more weight than they should...in his opinion...as " they obviously don't work as hard as they should or they wouldn't be that size"...

Oh trust me, from what I can see of it, very slim women won't feel half as worthless as the fat ones... even though they might not be described as "real" at least people on buses won't object to sitting next to them, as happened to a friend of mine.

This is the Alison who went on "Fat club" a few years ago and lost shedloads of weight? Now I am a size 18 and trying again to lose my excess. Yes , she is a natural dancer, her hip action is brill. But lets be honest, she is twice the size of her dancing partner. Lets not pussyfoot around the facts. She is at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various cancers. The lady needs help.

She's much too large to dance in heels and she would do dreadful damage to her back and Achilles tendons.

At last - an honest contributor! Everyone is saying how musical she is but she's just very very fat and could die early if she doesn't do something about it!
Just eat less Alison, works every time!

Hard to know what you would dress her in. I notice she never gets any negative judging comments either - she's rubbish at dancing but because she's fat they daren't say anything against her else the audience would jump on them for being fattist! Same thing happened with LIsa Riley. Yes they're both bubbly but that's it. I feel so sorry for the poor professional who gets the fat girl (or boy).

I really like her and she's a decent dancer but I must agree with you. There are limitations.
She is pretty and looks good especially for a tall woman with a huge amount of body mass between her bust and her thighs.

I do wish the panel would not patronise and stereotype by going on about her having big personality. Just judge her dancing.

She's mid table for me, but I think she's lovely so I'd give her an extra point or two.

Well I definitely felt worthless when people called me "anorexic" and "Olive Oyl." Men in particular have enjoyed criticising my flat chest. I would love to put on weight but no matter how much I eat I can't put weight on. I have seen dieticians and all sorts to no avail. Luckily I am older and find it easier to accept myself but the whole "real women" thing just feels like a stick to beat people like me with.

Kaycee, sorry to chime in, I know you meant no offense , it's a very interesting talking point though.
Last edited by SilverFeather : 05-10-2014 at 22:15

Totally accept your apology (and the one before that ) and the offense for me is forgotten. I personally have a very flat chest and while skinny women do have it easier than plus sized women, if you don't have boobs people can be very unkind! Personally I like that dancing and sport is totally fine with women being flat chested and it would be great if plus sized women felt the same level of acceptance.

I think it's fab btw that you cater for plus sized women who need dancewear. Silly that so called dancewear specialists don't have the ability to...

Also Alison is definitely not "rubbish at dancing" as someone said in this thread. Thin as a rail Judy Murray is though!

I thought Alison looked lovely and confident. She possibly doesn't want a short figure hugging dress. She has to be comfortable to dance. She looked full of confidence I'm loving her