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A woman on TikTok asked: What is a sundress? Ten million views later, the debate is still raging. Above, Four models in summer dresses in 1972.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
“What is a sundress?” wondered a young woman in plaintive tones on TikTok. “I own every dress. Which is the sun one?”
Nearly 10 million views later, that burning question continues to light up social media. Reaction videos included an influencer in Atlanta spelling out how “sundress season” in her Black community means Skims-style dresses that are long and tight, rather than flowy skirts with a fitted bodice. A good-natured, self-described mansplainer admitted that, although no expert in women’s fashion, he knows what he likes. Specifically, what he called “milkmaid style” dresses, preferably in yellow. “Cause we are simple,” he says. “Yellow, sun.”
Taylor Swift at The CMA Music Festival on June 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Which cuts to the crux of the sundress stakes. It’s not just what a sundress is, says Vox writer Rebecca Jennings. It’s who a sundress is for.
“Some men were complaining that women aren’t wearing sundresses ‘like they used to,’” Jennings notes. “Which feels like a very reactionary response to changing gender dynamics.”
Models Endy Cartnell (left) and Selina, on the King’s Road, Chelsea, London in 1973.
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John Minihan/Hulton Archive/ /Getty Images
Jennings traced the early days of what we now call the sundress in an expansively researched essay called “The sundress discourse, explained.” The garment, she wrote, became a summer staple in the postwar period, popularized by pioneering female sportswear designers such as Claire McCardell and Carolyn Schnurer.
“They’re dresses that were meant to be worn without these fussy undergarments,” she explains, meaning without girdles or even pantyhose. The designer Lilly Pulitzer, known for her bright prints and boutique-y brand, helped make sundresses, at first a style associated with children, respectable even for grown women.
A mother and daughter in 1955.
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Chaloner Woods/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The sundress as male fetish object joined the cultural conversation through the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, Jennings says. In a 2010 episode, the resident toxic male creep does a whole bit about sundresses. And since then, the mainstream cultural discourse around the sundress has changed accordingly, as reflected in some of the TikTok videos responding to the original query.
Disputes over sundresses right now are really about contemporary concerns, Jennings suggests, ranging from fast fashion to obsessions over gender norms. But, she adds, none of this should stop sundress fans from reaching for that lightweight little frock in the closet designed with hot weather in mind. “It’s not the sundress’s fault,” she points out, with a laugh.
American actress, singer and dancer Marpessa Dawn pictured on a balcony on June 1st, 1960.
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Evening Standard/Getty Images/Hulton Archive
Edited for radio and the web by Jennifer Vanasco.
TMZSports.com
Ryan Garcia isn’t retiring … the boxing superstar tells TMZ Sports he won’t give his detractors the satisfaction. So, when his one-year suspension run ends, King Ry will be back in the squared circle!
But, until then … he’s ready to fight somewhere else besides the ring.
We ran into 25-year-old Garcia, who was out in Los Angeles Friday afternoon, where we asked Ryan about the punishment levied by the New York state athletic commission, whether he was truly retired, and if he was serious about fighting MMA.
On the suspension and million-plus dollar purse clawback, Garcia, who also saw the win stripped and changed to a “no contest,” had this to say …
“It does [hurt]. [Devin’s] a ‘b,’ and his daddy’s a ‘b.’ The only reason I’m not cussing is cause my daughter’s here,” Ryan said of the Haney father and son combo.
Last week, Garcia, 25-1 (w/ 1 NC), announced he was retiring from boxing. We asked him if he intended to retire for good — meaning never box again professionally.
“I’m retiring for a year. So they don’t get the [satisfaction] for suspending me cause it’s bull. I never took steroids in my life. They can all suck weiners.”
As part of his retirement announcement, Ryan said he was going to go to the UFC. We asked if he was serious about MMA.
“I like ‘Suga’ Sean [O’Malley] cause he defended me [after cheating allegations]. But if he really wants to run it in the UFC, I’ll run it. Or bare knuckle. S***, I’m ready to fight anyone at this point.”
Of course, Ryan isn’t signed to the UFC … but Dana White‘s a shrewd businessman (he successfully made Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor in a different sport), and a Garcia vs. O’Malley, their bantamweight champ scrap would be massive.
Stay tuned …
Erik Weihenmayer, Diva Amon, and Piya Sinha-Roy speak onstage during the immersive screening for the Disney+ original series WELCOME TO EARTH from National Geographic on December 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for for National Ge/Getty Images North America
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Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for for National Ge/Getty Images North America
This week’s show was recorded in Chicago with host Peter Sagal, judge and scorekeeper Bill Kurtis, Not My Job guest Erik Weihenmayer and panelists Negin Farsad, Maz Jobrani, and Adam Felber. Click the audio link above to hear the whole show.
Who’s Bill This Time
Surgeon General’s Newest Warning; Summer Smarts; Going Stag
The Olympic Torch Reporch
A true/false round up of stories about this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris
Bluff The Listener
Our panelists tell three stories of famous dads in the news, only one of which is true.
Not My Job: We quiz mountaineer and adventurer Erik Weihenmayer on social climbers
Adventurer and mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer plays our game called, “Mountain Climber, Meet Social Climber.” Three questions about social climbers.
Panel Questions
College Senior Citizens; Hey, Siri, Don’t Be A Narc!; Namaste Off My Lawn!
Limericks
Bill Kurtis reads three news-related limericks: Recharge Your Broken Heart; Names For Sale; Schnozz Training
Lightning Fill In The Blank
All the news we couldn’t fit anywhere else
Predictions
Our panelists predict what will be the next thing to get a Surgeon General’s warning?
Tornado watch issued for parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts until 8 p.m.
Malinowski wins Hunterdon Democratic chairman race in landslide – New Jersey Globe
FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings
North Carolina coast starts summer with 150 rip current rescues, alligator scare and shark bite report
WATCH LIVE: South Dakota Gov. Noem holding press conference in North Sioux City
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Celebs shower Biden with campaign cash, but could undercut 'Scranton Joe' image
Over 10,000 Poles participate in Pride parade in Warsaw
A Florida family is suing NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through their home
DeSantis signs bill allowing residents to kill bears, vetoes bill that fines slow left lane drivers
New Caledonia independence activists sent to France for detention
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