BREAST IN SHOW
Sydney Sweeney’s saucy & cheeky while Emily Ratajowski’s coy & demure – the body language behind the ‘power boob grab’
It can suggest 'bravado and sexual confidence,' according to experts
FROM plunging necklines to sheer mesh dresses, starlets went all out glam at this year’s Oscars.
The red carpet was awash with daring outfits but it wasn’t just the clothes that set tongues wagging - a host of women turned heads with their hands too.
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Siren Sydney Sweeney was snapped with her hands subtly stroking her under boob while supermodel Emily Ratajowski was seen doing a self hug breast grab.
And according to body language whizz, Judi James, it was a completely intentional and brand new power move.
She says: “This sudden, powerful trend for celebs to be presenting their boobs on the red carpet, showing off their breasts in goddess-like pose of pride, power and sexual playfulness, takes several different forms - each one prompted by a different reason.
“For some it’s showing off or even self-admiring their gorgeous implants while for others it looks more like a boast that their boobs are all nature’s work.
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“It can also be a power-grab, like a rapper holding his crotch on stage to suggest bravado and sexual confidence.
“Some are directional, just pointing the eye towards the breasts and others just seem to be enjoying the touch.
“Then there is also the flirt aspect when some imply ‘imaging it was your hands here’ via their auto-contact behaviours.”
Here, YASMIN HARISHA reveals the celebrities getting hands on with the boob brushing trend, whilst Judi explains what each gesture really means.
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The lusty squeeze
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The singer, 30, who first started making waves after rapping on Instagram, showed off her cleavage with the ‘hand full’ gesture and a forward lean whilst wearing a low cut silver sparkling dress and no bra.
Judi says: “This movement, with her open mouth adding a touch of retro Marilyn Monroe glamour, squeezes the boobs together to create an even deeper cleavage and to show off their size.
“It looks like a power gesture to other women, boasting about size and reckless confidence.
“There’s no desire to perform any A-list demure posing here, this celeb wants us to know she’s got the extrovert daring nature plus the boob size to upstage and outdo anyone.”
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The body fondle
Using the red carpet as her catwalk Emily Ratajkowski donned an eye-catching backless white gown whilst attending the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
The supermodel, 32, who is single after splitting from her ex husband actor Sebastian Bear-McClard, oozed confidence on the red carpet.
Judi says: “This is a self-hug boob grab that seems to suggest she is happy enough by herself.
“It’s more of a statement of confidence and power and a message that she doesn’t need male approval or to flirt openly. It’s saucy and cheeky, like a knowing nod to the genre but ultimately it’s more of a stand-alone look of ultimate self-confidence."
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Overkill grab
Singer Ice Spice left very little to the imagination in a sheer black lace gown at the awards bash.
And if having a see-through dress wasn’t enough to attract attention to her breasts, the rapper, 24, used a ‘side-brush’ technique to try and prove her power.
But Judi seems to think she hasn’t mastered it quite yet.
She says: “This is the most contrived and least convincing red carpet boob grab, with the rather tentative hand position and pout suggesting it was an afterthought and maybe a desire to compete with others performing the pose.
“It’s overkill because this outfit makes a huge, dramatic feature of the rounded hips so there’s no need to re-direct attention up to the breasts.”
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Demure hands off hint-dropper
Actress Sydney Sweeney is synonymous with sexiness but she revealed her elegant side whilst wearing a silk ball gown.
Sydney, 26, who stunned in the timeless Marc Bouwer number - the same design was originally worn at the 2004 Oscars by actress Angelina Jolie - joined the trend but more subtly with a ‘hands-off’ approach.
Judi says: “By placing the hands below the cleavage and in a rather ladylike, elegant, butter-wouldn’t melt position, this is a celeb wanting to look superior rather than desperate for attention.
“Her pose also shows that she is wanting to make sure onlookers get the message when it comes to admiring her breasts.
“Understated to suggest classy but a big hint nevertheless.”
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The comedy upper-cupper
Oscars aside, and always someone who loves to ignite a trend, reality star and business mogul Kim Kardashian shared a snap with her boobs the centre of attention ahead of Paris Fashion Week recently.
Kim, 43, adopted the two-handed cupping technique and wore a beige corset beneath a velvet dark green gown.
Judi says: “This retro, 50’s looking pose, complete with two-handed cupping plus an exaggerated pout and ‘surprised’ facial expression is performed less as a sensual signal and more a sign of an ability to be so famous and perfect that a little self-effacing humour won’t come amiss.
“It’s saucy and cheeky but at the same time it also draws attention to the corseted boobs.”
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Peek-a-boo grab
Kylie Jenner, 26, has become notorious for grabbing her boobs whilst at events.
Over the last several years, the Kylie Cosmetics owner has proven she is not afraid to express herself by getting papped groping her breasts.
Most recently Kylie was pictured ‘sweeping up’ her boobs whilst attending Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show at Paris Fashion week.
Judi says: “As a top catwalk model it’s not fashionable to perform any glamour-girl breast grabs, but almost ‘accidentally’ holding them with fingers splayed will obviously work.
“It looks part-display but also part-protection as though her boobs are so precious she’s covering them in a crowd.
“A high-fashion version with an air of vulnerability rather than raunchy.”
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The 'shocked' hand
Presenter Maya Jama presents a “real life goddess” as she poses doing a ‘brush’ style pose in an Instagram picture shared whilst she was presenting Love Island: All Stars.
Maya, 29, who is currently dating rapper Stormzy, gives fans a little glimpse of what she is like to date with her bosom boasting snap.
Judi says: “Placing the flattened fingertips on the top of the boob creates a gesture that would normally imply someone is being bashful or even shocked.
“But this is still a version of the boob-grab as it teases the viewer and creates fan attention.
“In old-fashioned terms this would be seen as ‘toying’ with fans rather than open flirting. “Naughty but nice.”
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Openly sensual
She made her acting debut in 2014 in the drama film The Falling, and since Florence Pugh has certainly kept fans gripped on what her next move is going to be.
The 28 year old, who also starred in seven times Oscar winning film Oppenheimer, looked sophisticated as she gently fondled her breast in an Instagram post for Valentino Beauty.
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Judi says: “This self-touch ‘your hand could be here if you play your cards right’ look comes with a sultry facial expression to suggest that sensual mood.
“It’s outright flirty but also sophisticated.”
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