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Burlesque? Am I just out of touch?

(84 Posts)
Granatlast007 Fri 14-Nov-25 09:37:13

I was a bit surprised recently to find our local WI had invited a young woman called Ivy Malice to do a presentation. I googled her and and struggled to understand what the difference was between burlesque and a nicer version of stripping.

Her performance was all about corsets, 'tasteful' stripping to show stockings, suspenders, high heels, lots of make up and lots of flesh while prancing about. I couldn't be bothered to go to the meeting on the basis of what I googled but after the event, members I have asked seemed to have loved it and want to ask her back.

I suppose it's not for me and as a once ardent feminist, I thought we women had rid ourselves of dressing up in attire which is surely about attracting men in the most basic way possible?

Apparently though burlesque now is about 'body positivity and self-love and about self-expression in the most vulnerable way possible. I am puzzled, perhaps I need to get out more! Anyone else?

AuntieE Sun 16-Nov-25 14:23:10

It certainly sounds an odd choice for WI.

It might go down better with a younger age group.

Recently, I went to a concert, where a young woman (in her thirties) sang popular songs quite well, but interspersed her program of songs with jokes that I not only found unamusing but embarrassing.

And no, they were neither blue, nor sexy. She told jokes about greasy hair, blackheads , etc.- all turned towards herself, admittedly. People, mainly those her age or under fifty, were laughing their heads off, but I failed to see what is remotely amusing about dirty nails, blackheads, dandruff or greasy hair.

Came to the conclusion that I am just an auld wife wi' no sense of humour.

Kamiso Sun 16-Nov-25 14:14:02

StripeyGran

WI didn't work for me. Nothing to do with sex. More to do with bags on seats and " My sister sits there"

That’s what the local U3A meetings were like. L found them irritating but amusing at the same time until I came across a woman with tears in her eyes. Widowed six months ago and her first lone venture out told three times she couldn’t sit in certain seats. Very off putting!

StripeyGran Sat 15-Nov-25 17:13:58

Mollygo

StripeyGran

WI didn't work for me. Nothing to do with sex. More to do with bags on seats and " My sister sits there"

That’s so irritating.
Likewise, shopping this morning, I‘d just collected a small trolley when this woman rushed up and made to grab it, saying, “That’s my trolley!” confused

I think t'is rapidly approaching the season for this type of thing.
Am extremely old lady ( yes more than me) once practically wrestled a bag of sprouts from my grip in M and S.

Jackiest Sat 15-Nov-25 16:17:17

I have decided I am not a feminist I am a personist. I don't want to look at things just from my point of view.

Galaxy Sat 15-Nov-25 15:06:50

We aren't choosing we are commenting. You don't have to be feminist I couldn't care less. But many feminists comment on these issues from that perspective.

Mollygo Sat 15-Nov-25 14:52:52

StripeyGran

WI didn't work for me. Nothing to do with sex. More to do with bags on seats and " My sister sits there"

That’s so irritating.
Likewise, shopping this morning, I‘d just collected a small trolley when this woman rushed up and made to grab it, saying, “That’s my trolley!” confused

kittylester Sat 15-Nov-25 14:32:54

And who said we all had to be 'feminist' what ever that might mean.

AmberGran Sat 15-Nov-25 14:18:11

Galaxy

We don't get to choose but we do get to analyse whether it is a feminist choice. The same nonsense is said about all sorts of things S & M,
prostitution, etc. The thing about choices is they are rarely done in a vacuum.

What the heck is a feminist choice???? Who gets to choose? And why do they get to choose?

Galaxy Sat 15-Nov-25 13:06:12

We don't get to choose but we do get to analyse whether it is a feminist choice. The same nonsense is said about all sorts of things S & M,
prostitution, etc. The thing about choices is they are rarely done in a vacuum.

AmberGran Sat 15-Nov-25 12:59:54

Allira

It just seems like something that belongs in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and should have been left behind when Women's Liberation began.

But women's liberation was all about women getting to choose how they live their lives. And that means other women don't get to choose for them either.

If people were talking about burlesque at the WI then I doubt it was very risque - it will just be a dress up and dance routine. Probably far more 'proper' than most dance routines done by 16 year old girls.

Allira Sat 15-Nov-25 12:34:57

It just seems like something that belongs in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and should have been left behind when Women's Liberation began.

Granatlast007 Sat 15-Nov-25 12:22:32

Interesting set of comments. It's more than possible these days to thoroughly research something online rather than turn up in person, especially if it's something that you realise you might not be keen on.

Maybe it's dressing up, maybe you're not someone whose dearest wish has been to wrap yourself in a feather boa. In the 1960s there was something called Women's Liberation, it was about being able to reject the expectations of men and a repressive, patriarchal society. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, that's not the same as prejudice. As these posts show, at least some are willing to look a little wider and to answer respectfully when someone asks a question.

MartavTaurus Sat 15-Nov-25 12:11:38

Just pointing something out in passing

Pole dance is completely different from pole fitness or exercise which is being considered as an Olympic gymnastics vertical component.

Usedtobeblonde Sat 15-Nov-25 10:01:38

I wonder if the woman on Sewing Bee was the same one who took part in Come Dine with Me some years ago.
She also designed costumes, can’t remember if she also made them.
She was a very attractive buxom lady.

kittylester Sat 15-Nov-25 09:45:25

I think it's a bit rich of all the people saying how dreadful burlesque is when they didn't go to the talk and, therefore, are speaking from a position of prejudice not knowledge.

StripeyGran Sat 15-Nov-25 09:41:17

WI didn't work for me. Nothing to do with sex. More to do with bags on seats and " My sister sits there"

TheWeirdoAgain60 Sat 15-Nov-25 08:42:23

Ugh! I hate that type of stuff and anything similar!

I wouldn't have attended, either!

AmberGran Fri 14-Nov-25 20:47:39

There was someone on the Sewing Bee who did burlesque dancing - anyone remember her? I think she helped make the costumes and headresses too. She loved the dancing and had a lot of fun with it. I suspect it's much like people learning belly dancing - no one is trying to attract the sultan but they are having fun and a damn good workout.

A friend of mine used to do pole dancing as exercise, also trapeze. She was incredibly fit and ended up very confident. That's why these things are empowering. They give people confidence in themselves and their bodies.

Jackiest Fri 14-Nov-25 20:02:07

Oh nothing to do with my post, That's why I was confused.

Allira Fri 14-Nov-25 19:44:30

Thanks OldFrill

OldFrill Fri 14-Nov-25 19:18:31

Jackiest

Allira

Jackiest

If the women at the WI loved it then it is not just about attracting men in the most basic way possible. More about some men and women like it and some men and women don't.

And if it's of no interest whatsoever then that doesn't make you an old fuddy-duddy in the slightest.

Why would you think it did?

See QuoteGranatlast007 Fri 14-Nov-25 14:17:15 where she mentions fuddy-duddy

Jackiest Fri 14-Nov-25 18:11:17

Allira

Jackiest

If the women at the WI loved it then it is not just about attracting men in the most basic way possible. More about some men and women like it and some men and women don't.

And if it's of no interest whatsoever then that doesn't make you an old fuddy-duddy in the slightest.

Why would you think it did?

Allira Fri 14-Nov-25 17:35:49

eazybee

Why does it have to be either or?
Quite possible to do both.

What - burlesque dancing whilst flying a plane you've never flown before?

Could be disastrous.

Allira Fri 14-Nov-25 17:34:48

Jackiest

If the women at the WI loved it then it is not just about attracting men in the most basic way possible. More about some men and women like it and some men and women don't.

And if it's of no interest whatsoever then that doesn't make you an old fuddy-duddy in the slightest.

eazybee Fri 14-Nov-25 17:28:03

Why does it have to be either or?
Quite possible to do both.