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9 Things Christina Hendricks Taught Me About Body Love & Confidence

by Ashe on November 9, 2010

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1. Work with your natural assets.
Can you imagine what Hendricks would be like if she started out with those curves and then worked out beyond recognition after the success of Mad Men?  Instead of denying her natural figure, she works it.  She knows how to highlight one part while subtly showcasing & emphasizing the rest.

2. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
Epic breasts? She flaunts them. More curves than a interstate clover? Her clothes skim them.  She’s not an exhibitionist, but she shows off what she’s got.

3. Don’t listen to the naysayers and haters.
People are obsessed–obsessed with Christina Hendricks’ body. There’s a lot of criticism and judgment floating around for a woman who was voted Esquire‘s Sexiest Woman Alive.  All that criticism and judgment? It’s probably coming from other women.  So cut her some slack, cut that girl in the office some slack, and cut yourself some.

4. Surround yourself with people who celebrate you and your body.
One of the best things I remember reading was about her relationship with her husband; she loves his curly hair and he loves her breasts.  He loves her body as it is, and when you’re spending the rest of your life with someone? That’s awesome.

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5. Take pride in your natural body.
Some rumors went around recently that Hendricks was working on losing 35 poundsHendricks was quick to squish that rumor saying, “I’m completely happy with my body!”  She’s said in interviews, “Sure, I’d love to lose 10 lbs, but what woman wouldn’t?”  Her ease and comfort in her body is one of her sexiest traits.

6. Wear what you want and what you love. Ignore the critics.
For as often as Hendricks makes the best dressed list, she also receives lots of criticism for her choice in outfits.  You know what? She wears what she wants, and her confidence on the red carpet is enviable.

7. Have a signature and own it.
All those trademarks and signature styles that get people talking about Hendricks?  Is there a more talked about redhead? Is there a more talked about sex symbol? Is there a more talked about curvaceous goddess on the screen?  She OWNS them.

8. Your signature looks and trademarks don’t have to be natural.
Where would Christina Hendricks be without that signature flaming red hair? And you know what? It’s not natural.  Very few of us are born with all the qualities that make us who we are; I’m don’t have a blond personality and don’t see why I should deal with blond hair.  There’s no harm in changing little things to feel like yourself.

9. Sexuality, Sensuality, Power, and Confidence comes in all shapes and sizes.

Are you a lover of Ms. Hendricks? What has Christina’s prominent role in Hollywood taught you about your own body, confidence, and self-love?

{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

That Kind Of Girl November 9, 2010 at 9:12 am

Excellent lessons! And man, seriously, is there a more beautiful woman live than the lovely Ms. Hendricks?!
That Kind Of Girl´s last [type] ..Putting the “Ex” in “Air Sex Champion” Not That Kind of Guy guest post by The Ex

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Sally November 9, 2010 at 9:43 am

Indeed! I adore Christina for exactly the reasons you’ve outlined. She is strong and confident and amazing.
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Laura Connell November 9, 2010 at 10:59 am

I’m glad Christina Henrdricks has helped you and other women increase their body confidence. However, I still take issue with the focus on any woman’s body whatever the type. We need to stop judging women’s figures even when we’re being complimentary and put the focus on abilities, talents, etc.

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Ashe Mischief November 9, 2010 at 2:53 pm

Hey Laura, thanks for weighing in! I do agree that we (as a whole) DO need to stop focusing on women’s bodies… but as a lifestyle & fashion blog, I also think that finding other women’s whose bodies are inspiring (and for other bloggers, similar to their own) is a much better match for what my site aims to do that talking about her abilities as an actress (afterall, I work in theatre all day long, & think Hendricks is a damned fine actress…but not exactly a subject match and I don’t want to take my work home with me!). I’m all about inspiring women to love themselves, no matter what their shape or size. And if it takes a brave, bold woman who ISN’T the status quo in Hollywood to help women recognize that, I think it’s worth talking about, no?

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Rachael November 9, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Love this! For me I love Christina because she has the type of body I could never have in a million years. I will always have the no curves, boyish frame and I’ve accepted that.

It’s great seeing someone like her be so front and center, embracing a body type that isn’t that common in the fashion/TV/celebrity world.

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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:53 pm

Yes, this exactly!

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Dana November 9, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Totally agree! She rocks it and is unapologetic. I think I’ve learned that you can take a vintage appeal and reintroduce it to the world being completely confident and sexy.

Lovely Post!

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Kate November 9, 2010 at 1:16 pm

Girl does have some fantastic curves. Although I’m glad I don’t have those breasts ouch I could not carry those around. Although, nothing compares to Dolly whoa I think I would just fall if I had those.
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Rosa November 9, 2010 at 2:58 pm

I love this post is amazing… mostly own your look and work with your natural assets…
xx
Rosa

mystylishlittlesecret.blogspot.com

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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:53 pm

Absolutely!

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Ashley November 9, 2010 at 4:19 pm

GREAT post. Christina is such a cool chick, and it’s nice to see how she breaks the current body trend in Hollywood. Nicely done!

xx
Ashley
http://thelittlelovelist.com
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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Absolutely! It makes me hope that it’ll open doors for more women with varying shapes and sizes to be lablelled “Sexiest Woman”

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Grit and Glamour November 10, 2010 at 10:39 am

I LOVE this post. So many excellent lessons. And I love Christina too. She is just stunning and such a breath of fresh air!

♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
twitter: @gritandglamour
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Retro Chick November 10, 2010 at 11:55 am

I do think she’s gorgeous, and you’re right, it’s her confidence that makes her so sexy.
Retro Chick´s last [type] ..Why Fashion Isn’t Frivolous

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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:57 pm

It’s funny, because the Beau was like, “I don’t think Christina Hendricks is really as sexy as Christina Hendricks is.” And it’s true– it’s really the confidence above all that makes her her.

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Joana Faria November 10, 2010 at 1:12 pm

Hey lovely,
Thank you for your comments on my blog. I’m so glad you liked my illustrations. :0)
What a great post. She is gorgeous.
I’ve been here loads of times, Great blog.
Lots of love from Lisbon xx
Joana Faria´s last [type] ..- New friends

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fashion butter November 10, 2010 at 2:36 pm

As a busty gal myself, I’m just happy to see some big, crazy, natural boobies in Hollywood. : )
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The Fashion Buzz November 11, 2010 at 5:08 am

Absolutely adore her, she is truly beautiful!

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UN-Stitched November 11, 2010 at 8:33 am

She is amazing and I love point #8 – making me think of coloring my hair!
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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm

It just reiterates my desire to perm mine!

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Beautifully Invisible November 11, 2010 at 10:14 am

I love love LOVE love love Christina.

And I love love LOVE love love this post because it spells out why.

Perfect.
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Casee Marie November 11, 2010 at 3:59 pm

This is such a beautiful post! Christina is such an inspiration, and not just for her style but for her personality and her confidence…she’s fascinating, fun and drop-dead gorgeous. What’s not to love? x
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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm

Absolutely! It wasn’t until I was bombarding my Beau with images and articles of her that he got the appeal.

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Erika November 12, 2010 at 12:19 am

I LOVED this post. This topic is so dear to me. I am such a huge Christina Hendricks fan. I honestly love her figure and the way she carries such chic ease. I do wish I had her curves, she is so womanly.

Your writing is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing :)

XOXO,
style activist

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Piper Larson November 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Great tips – especially #7. Gotta have a signature! Have a beautiful weekend Ashe.
XO Piper
Piper Larson´s last [type] ..Clearing the Way

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Estava Morioka November 12, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Great post. I love #8. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I alter things about my look all the time and I know that people have criticized me for it (behind my back of course). Im an artist and my body/my hair/my face is my canvas. I am my artwork.
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Suzanne November 14, 2010 at 7:18 pm

I love her. She is a beautiful, confident woman. Here’s the thing though. She is curvy in the “right” places. Her curves are acceptable b/c she is tall and not round anywhere except the parts that men think are desirable. I am 5’3″ and 175 lbs. and nobody think I’m sexy. I have smallish boobs and a big flat ass and rolls of skin on my stomach. It is only okay to be curvy if you are like Jessica Rabbit or Marilyn Monroe. If you have cellulite or rolls anywhere other than your boobs and butt you are considered fat and not attractive. So while having someone like Christina Hendricks around is a step in the right direction, I still feel we have a LONG way to go.

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Ashe Mischief November 17, 2010 at 12:55 pm

Suzanne, I don’t think that’s true! From the sound of it, your body is similarly to mine…. and I see lots of plus-size bloggers with similar shapes. And they’re all confident with themselves and they all have partners who love them.

While I do think you’re right that mainstream has a LONG way to go, and Christina Hendricks is a step in the right direction, I think loving ourselves and finding beauty in ourselves is the big first step.

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Shercole November 17, 2010 at 7:43 pm

This is a great post.

I definitely been working hard on signature looks. The one signature that mainly sticks around is bows and pendants always make it into my outfits.
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bugeyed lindsay November 17, 2010 at 10:01 pm

i love to keep up with what she wears! we have similar body types, and it’s encouraging to see how she works it.

great role model! great post!

@bugeyedguide

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