Just in case you forgot how to be normal the wonderful people at howcast.com have put together this little gem.  If you have not book marked Sociological Images, I suggest you do so now.

“So, the advice, as I mentioned, is all about trying to hide the shape of her actual body and make it appear to be more hourglass. To “transform it into an hourglass,” they say:

“slim your hips and thighs”
“draw attention to the upper part of your body”
“balance your figure” with shoulder pads
“a roomy top will de-emphasize your bottom”
“offset your hips”
“avoid side pockets, they add bulk where you least need it”

I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where the fashion industry encouraged us to “emphasize” our differences from one another, instead of trying to make us all look the same. If you were pear-shaped, for example, the advice would be all about highlighting that awesome booty and tiny waist and shoulders. Work that pear-shape!”

Work that pear shape indeed!  This video and others (there is a whole list of how to perform to gendered expectations) like it are endemic of the hoops we jump through trying to perform gender roles and societal expectations.

This area is not my forte, but it is Intransigentia’s.   I’m sure  she will have something to add to this little piece of hetronormative wisdom.