Emily Ratajowski’s coy and demure – the body language behind the ‘power boob grab’
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 got tongues wagging; a large number of women also turned attention with their hands.
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Siren Sydney Sweeney was caught with her hands delicately caressing her under the breasts, while supermodel Emily Ratajowski was seen doing a self-hugging boob grab.
And according to body language expert Judi James, it was a completely intentional and brand new power move.
She says: “This sudden, powerful trend among celebrities to flaunt their breasts on the red carpet, exposing their breasts in a goddess-like pose of pride, power and sexual playfulness, is taking several forms – each motivated by a different reason. .
“For some it’s showing off their beautiful implants, or even self-admiration, while for others it’s more like boasting that their breasts are all nature’s work.
“It can also be a power grab, like a rapper holding his crotch on stage to suggest bravado and sexual confidence.
“Some are directional, focusing only on the breasts and others just seem to enjoy the touch.
“Then there’s the flirting aspect, with some implying ‘imagine it was your hands here’ through their auto-contact behavior.”
Here, YASMIN HARISHA reveals the celebrities who are getting in on the breast-brushing trend, while Judi explains what each gesture really means.
The lustful squeeze
American rapper Saweetie proves that you can perform almost anywhere – even on the red carpet.
The 30-year-old singer, who first started making waves after rapping on Instagram, showed off her cleavage with the “hand full” gesture and a forward bend while wearing a low-cut silver sparkly dress and no bra.
Judi says: “This move, in which her open mouth adds a touch of retro Marilyn Monroe glamour, squeezes the breasts to create an even deeper cleavage and show off their size.
“It looks like a gesture of power to other women, bragging about their size and reckless confidence.
“There’s no desire to strike a demure A-list pose here, this celeb wants us to know she has the outgoing, daring nature plus the chest size to outdo and outdo everyone.”
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The body caresses
Emily Ratajkowski used the red carpet as a runway and wore a striking white backless dress while 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-hugging boob grab that seems to suggest she is happy enough alone.
“It’s more of a statement of confidence and power and a message that she doesn’t need male approval or openly flirt. It’s bold and sassy, like a nod to the genre, but ultimately it’s more of a standalone look with ultimate confidence.”
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Grabbing Overkill
Singer Ice Spice left little to the imagination in a sheer black lace dress at the awards ceremony.
And as if having a see-through dress wasn’t enough to draw attention to her breasts, the 24-year-old rapper used a “side brush” technique to prove her power.
But Judi seems to think she hasn’t quite mastered it yet.
She says: “This is the most contrived and least convincing boob grab on the red carpet, with the rather tentative hand position and pouting pose suggesting it was an afterthought and perhaps a desire to compete with others performing the pose.
“It’s exaggerated because this outfit shows a big, dramatic feature of the curvy hips so there’s no need to focus on the breasts.”
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Understated hands off the hint dropper
Actress Sydney Sweeney is synonymous with sexiness, but she revealed her elegant side while wearing a silk ball gown.
Sydney, 26, who stunned in the timeless Marc Bouwer number – the same design was originally worn to the 2004 Oscars by actress Angelina Jolie – joined the trend, but more subtly with a hands-off approach.
Judi says: “Placing the hands under the décolleté and in a rather ladylike, elegant, buttery-soft position, this is a celeb who wants to look superior rather than desperate for attention.
“Her pose also shows that she wants to make sure onlookers get the message when it comes to admiring her breasts.
“Understated to suggest stylish, but still a big hint.”
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The comical upper cupper
Oscars aside, and always one to spark a trend, reality star and business mogul Kim Kardashian recently shared a photo with her breasts taking center stage ahead of Paris Fashion Week.
Kim, 43, applied the two-handed cupping technique and wore a beige corset under a velvet dark green dress.
Judi says: “This retro, 50s-esque pose, complete with two-handed cupping plus an exaggerated pout and ‘surprised’ facial expression, is performed less as a sensual signal and more as a sign of the ability to be so famous and perfect that a little self-effacing humor doesn’t hurt.
“It’s sassy and sassy, but at the same time it also draws attention to the corseted breasts.”
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Grabbing peekaboo
Kylie Jenner, 26, has become infamous for grabbing her breasts at events.
In recent years, the Kylie Cosmetics owner has proven that she isn’t afraid to express herself by getting papped while groping her breasts.
Most recently, Kylie was photographed ‘wiping’ her breasts while attending Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show during Paris Fashion Week.
Judi says: “As a top catwalk model it is not fashionable to do glamor girl breast grabs, but holding it almost ‘accidentally’ with fingers spread will obviously work.
“It looks part display and part protection, as if her breasts are so precious that she covers them in a crowd.
“A high-fashion version with an atmosphere of vulnerability instead of vulgarity.”
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The ‘shocked’ hand
Presenter Maya Jama presents a “real life goddess” as she poses in a brush style in an Instagram photo shared while presenting Love Island: All Stars.
Maya, 29, who is currently dating rapper Stormzy, gives fans a little glimpse into what she’s like dating with her bosom bragging rights.
Judi says: “Placing the flattened fingertips on the top of the breasts creates a gesture that would normally imply that someone is shy or even shocked.
“But this is still a version of the boob grab, because it teases the viewer and creates fan attention.
“In old-fashioned terms this would be seen as ‘playing’ with fans rather than openly flirting. “Naughty though Nice.”
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Overtly sensual
She made her acting debut in 2014 in the drama film The Falling, and has certainly captivated fans since Florence Pugh next one relocation is going to happen.
The 28-year-old, who also starred in the seven-time Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, looked sophisticated as she gently caressed her breasts in an Instagram post for Valentino Beauty.
Judi says: “This self-touch ‘your hand could be here if you play your cards right’ look is paired with a sultry facial expression that suggests that sensual mood.
“It’s downright flirty, but also sophisticated.”
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