Perhaps it’s the influence of the movie “American Hustle” and 1970s style. Or maybe it’s just CEO and founder Dov Charney’s fetish. Whatever it is, American Apparel mannequins have pubic hair now.

Gothamist first spotted the bushy American Apparel mannequins in New York City earlier this month. The Huffington Post spoke to a store associate who said the au natural-looking mannequins were meant to drum up Valentine’s Day sales by conveying the “rawness and realness of sexuality.” Word.

I recently had a baby. How about mannequins with smooshy, puffy bellies that make it difficult to see one’s own pubes? Oh, wait. Global News reports: “At David’s Bridal, mannequins soon will get thicker waists, saggier breasts and back fat to mimic a more realistic shape.” It’s a start. How about stretch marks?

A Swiss mannequin campaign that highlighted people with disabilities went viral last year.

And back in Manhattan, people are flocking to the East Houston Street American Apparel stores, taking pictures in front of the bushy Barbies. I’m assuming many women stop to stare on their way to get Brazilian waxes.

Maybe some of the credit goes to Lena Dunham and HBO’s “Girls”, which has no issue showing bodies as they are. You know, real women who don’t look like supermodels, or mannequins, as the case may be. Not that there’s anything wrong with having a “perfect” body. But it shouldn’t be an aspiration. After all, we get what we get in this life. We should work towards the healthiest version of ourselves–not trying to emulate women we’ll never ever look like. Surgeries to boost our bust or shrink our thighs, or even just ripping out our crotch hair certainly could be time better spent. Like shopping for a new wardrobe at American Apparel. I think the campaign’s working, Dov.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Images: michael kalus, Gothamist

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Ever shaved your pubic hair and had it grow back stubbly and not-so-sexy? Shaving around your pelvic region can be quite a chore. But there is a better way…

Shaving is annoying, and some women have thrown it out the door all together (more power to you!). But for those of us that do choose hair removal, shaving legs and underarms isn’t as bad as the dreaded pubic hair. No, most of us don’t want the pre-pubescent look, but we still like to be trim and proper, right?

When shaving pubic hair become common?

In 1915, Gillette hit the market with the first razor targeted specifically at women, called the Milady Decolletée. Around the 1930s shaving one’s legs started to be a societal norm as hemlines began to rise. The custom became mainstream in the ’40s when factories stopped making women’s stockings because of wartime efforts.

So that explains shaving legs, but what about pubic hair? Turns out shaving “down there” didn’t start with a porn star or the Brazilians. In fact, removing pubic hair dates back hundreds of years in the Muslim culture. In the Middle East and Northern Africa, removal of all body hair was a ritual all females performed in preparation for their wedding night.

Modern options for removing pubic hair

We can only imagine what those early ladies had to use to get rid of body hair. Today we have a suite of options for removing hair–electrolosis, threading, waxing and shaving. So why is waxing better than shaving when it comes to your pubic hair?

Waxing removes the hair from the root, so the hair takes longer to grow back. And when it does grow back, it is thinner (thank goodness!).  Plus, waxing pubic hair helps avoid razor bumps and the itching sensation that’s typical when hair grows back after shaving. Some people might have a slight reaction to waxes, so I recommend waxes that are soy-based waxes rather than petroleum-based.

DIY Pubic Hair Sugar Wax Recipe

You can even make hair removal wax yourself! Here’s how:

1. Warm 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice in a shallow saucepan.

2. Heat on a medium flame, stirring often, until the mixture become golden brown.

3. Transfer to a microwave-safe container, and allow to cool just until it’s pliable and safe for skin.

4. Rub the sugar wax on your skin, let it cool and harden for a few seconds, then pull it off, taking the hair with it.

With this DIY recipe, you don’t need wax strips and you can save the unused wax for another time.

You might have to put up with a few wincing moments while the strips are removed. But come on, we are women–we can handle it, right?

Waxing Tip: Wait 3 weeks since after shaving, and 4-6 weeks after waxing to get another wax.

See Also:

Now & Then: The Bold Brow

Fashion History Mirror Feminism: From Corset to Casual, A Visual Tour Through Time

image: NuageDeNuit | Chiara Vitellozzi

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