Multicult Classics posted these two Spanish-language Fruit of the Loom ads. They are an extra nice example of the way that color is used to communicate gender:
Text: “Your world, now much more feminine.”
See also this post of kids with their stuff, these pictures of the Toys ‘R Us aisles, these breast cancer PSAs, and these guns marketed to women.
It’s obvious to us, today, that pink is for girls. But it wasn’t until about the 1950s that our current gendered color scheme became widely accepted. Before that, the colors were reversed. In this excerpt for a vintage advice column (found here), we learn that:
“…the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy; while blue, which is more delicate and dainty is prettier for the girl.”
Comments 19
anon — September 3, 2008
i think the first image is a good example of how what is considered attractive varies by culture. the same image would probably not be run in the US because of her size (even though, in my opinion, she is a beautiful woman).
Dubi — September 3, 2008
Only goes to show we're not a rational species, we're a rationalizing species...
anon — September 3, 2008
i just got my most recent copy of Eurosport (a soccer catalog), and opened it shortly after reading this post. Found it interesting that women's gear section is indicated by a running header at the top of each page, distinct from the rest of the mag, in that it's blue. It's Carolina blue (UNC has been DOMINANT in women's college soccer for a LONG time), which may have a lot to do with it, but - blue none the less.
Anonymous — September 5, 2008
The things that strike me about these is the contrast of the size of the models and the types of undergarments. The thinner woman is shown with stereotypical 'sexy undies' where the larger woman is shown with a less overtly sexual choice.
The implication seems to be you don't get/need to be sexual if you have curves.
Dubi — September 5, 2008
Anonymous - that's a funny reading of it. Why isn't it more reasonable that the implication is "the sexy undies won't look good on your if you're not thin"?
Tim — September 7, 2008
It's OK to be sexual if you have curves, once one has rolls though, things are different unless one is in a society that finds obesity attractive.
Michelle — April 26, 2009
The "Fit for me" brand is plus-size, thus the plus-size model.
B — July 3, 2009
what the name of the girl in the first pic?
Unico — August 15, 2009
First poster "anon". You are incorrect.
There are plenty of ads of women of various size in US magazines.
Michael Lawrence — June 28, 2011
I find it interesting that most of the comments deal with the models and less with the content of this post. In the '80s pink for guys was a hot trend. It has died down, but it is still okay for guys to wear pink. What it comes down to now is not necessarily the colour so much as the style. A pink polo shirt might be more socially acceptable than a pink v-neck tshirt on a guy, but then who knows...