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Thursday
27Mar2008
Sacramento, Strike A Pose!
Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 1:58AM 
This past Saturday, while devouring the new April issue of InStyle magazine, I came across an article that could have been pulled directly from my very own MySpace "Ladies' Night Out" photo album.The article asks the question, "Are you a Righty or a Lefty?" and exposed the "hand-on-the-hip" phenomenon that has become a prominent pose on the red carpet, popularized by the likes of Beyonce, Eva Longoria, and Rebecca Romijn. However I’ve noticed this starlet stance has been adopted by many Sacramento socialites including many of my ultra-chic girlfriends who could teach a "hand-on-hip" 101 class all themselves. (see exhibit A below).
[slideshow id=2161727821145060192&w=426&h=320]
Upon further investigation, I found this topic all over the Internet. GeekSugar.com credits this pose as Paris Hilton's token move. And, unlike InStyle, they argue that it actually flatters the body because of of its trimming effect on the arm. And with the elbow pulled back, it helps give you a bit of shape by drawing attention to your waist.
I realize this position can look a bit contrived, but I have to admit, the "hand-on-the-hip" is towards the top off my portfolio of poses. If you want to develop your own repertoire of photo-opp moves, below are a few other pointers I found on how to perfect your red carpet pose*
Secret No. 1: Turn partially sideways to the camera, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back foot.
Secret No. 2: Pull head forward slightly to minimize any appearance of a double chin.
Secret No. 3: Hold arms slightly away from your body. This keeps upper arm flab from flattening out and therefore appearing flabbier (much like thighs do when one sits on a couch).
Secret No. 4: Pull shoulders back, chest forward and gently suck stomach in. Be careful not to suck stomach so far in that your ribs show, thereby causing those who later see the photo to cluck to themselves in a bemused, sing-song voice, "She's sucking i-in."
Secret No. 5: If you can get away with it without looking like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Girl wannabe, try the look away trick. To do this, look away from the camera, then turn towards it, breaking into a smile just before the camera clicks. Your smile will appear fresh, not frozen. This trick takes practice behind closed, locked doors.
*5 Red Carpet Secrets to Posing for Photos” by Julyne Derrick at About.com
Reader Comments (4)
LOVE it! It's so fun being a girl :)
I'm definitely a lefty in this pic, but I swear I'm ambidextrous when it comes to awkward photo posing! This piece in InStyle made me laugh out loud too!
GREAT post Julie! I'm such a habitual righty...it's shameful but I'd rather stick to the 'ol faithful pose then risk looking like dirt in a photo...isn't being a woman grand?!
Sarah - I'm a righty also - I wonder if that has anything to do with what side of the brain we use! LOL