Last week on grid-down day, Salome was wondering about the perfect skin; this week, I’m wondering about the perfect body.
I’m interested in how other people established their SL shape and size, particularly with regard to weight. I know that when I first logged into Orientation Island, all Ruthed up, I slid the sliders around to make something that looked more or less proportional to my real life body. I am by no means a tiny woman, but I certainly don’t walk through my real life feeling elephantine. (Except for my wedding day, when I actually was elephantine - stress, meet cream cakes!)
In any case, with my av scaled to my RL body proportions, I felt absolutely enormous compared to other women in SL the moment I lurched off Orientation and hit the mainland. It took me approximately 180 seconds to cave in, find a dark corner, and ramp down my bulk.
Since I’m not really very susceptible to either peer pressure or social norms in my real life, I was a little surprised by my own behaviour. (I also felt like I was abandoing my morals at the door, torching my Feminist card, and selling out my entire gender, but those are obviously my personal issues.)
But despite my personal cowardice, I love the look of less-skinny female avs in Second Life and admire the women behind them. Dakota Buck has been rocking the socks off our photo stream with amazing photos, a lot of them self-portraits. She’s a beautiful avatar who’s shape in RL would make her perfectly average, but by SL standards, she’s far larger. On the other hand, I’ve seen a number of waif-like avs that make me wonder if the sliders went lower, we wouldn’t end up with an epidemic of avatar annorexia.
I’ve refined my avatar quite a bit since the early days to arrive at the shape I’ve been using for the past year, and thanks to a nifty toy from RX Pirates, I’ve recently found out I am 177cm tall and 64kg, or about 5′10″ and 141lbs. (To my great surprise, Salome is 181cm tall and weighs 68kgs, which makes her taller than me. In real life she’s an elf, so this is amusing to us both.) This gives my avatar a BMI of 20.4, and about the same for Salome - squarely in the healthy range and not on the annorexic end of the spectrum as I had feared. But we still look pretty skinny to me.
So I’m interested in your thoughts on avatars and bodies, particularly your own. Since the grid is down and you’re likely as desperately bored as I am, please feel free to answer some or all of the following questions, with any additional thoughts you might have:
- How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
- Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else - Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
- If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
- How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
- Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
- Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
And if you’re as curious as I was, there is now a scale in the Linden Lifestyles office (in the corner between the clothing rack and the closet) which you can sit on to get your av’s height and weight. There’s also a handy website where you can calculate your avatar’s BMI and find out where you sit in the range. There is no scale in my real life house and I’m not wild about having one in a virtual office that is all about appearances, so it may disappear soon - but it will be there for a few more days at least.
1. Long way through not so well defined shapes.
I mostly choose this one bescause it had a good face and heighth was not too tall
2. d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
3. No
4. Perhaps, thing is it’s hard to find good shapes (or i searched badly)
5. N/A
6. No
7. No
Comment by Deimos Lindman — April 25, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I played with the sliders to create something that resembles the real me.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
Definitely.
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes, I am a few inches too tall because everybody is too tall in SL.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
You mean fatter? No. No need to look fatter in here than in RL.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Some clothing inspires me to increase the cup size a little,
just like some RL clothes inspire me to wear a bra that helps a little
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Just like in RL I think my breasts are a bit on the small side.
Copying this in a truthful way makes me feel very connected with my avatar in intimate situations
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Personally I have more problems with their big boobs than with their skinny waists
Comment by White Hyacinth — April 25, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
She is me, I am her, etc. I am very thin in RL due to the sport that I am competitive in and practice every day. I am also relatively tall for a woman at almost 5′7″ However, my avatar does have a larger chest than me in RL. I would say she is probably a small C whereas I am a B in RL. I also have dark hair in RL and sometimes I am blonde in SL.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body - Yes, aside from the boobs
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Noph. Have not changed much in terms of overall height, thickness.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Noph but I appreciate those that do. This sounds cliche but there have been many times where I wished I had more of a body in RL.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I don’t change my shape for clothes/hair/skins if that’s what you’re asking
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Noph
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I had an odd reaction when I tried on my friend’s more healthy shape. As someone who has struggled with eating disorders as a younger woman in college and in the years following,I was definitely uncomfortable in a shape that was larger than my own. I think this clearly answers this question, yes. But it’s an issue I deal with in RL still…even at 33
Comment by Gillian Waldman — April 25, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
I’m not slender iRL, but my avatar is. However, she’s my height and coloring (most of the time.)
I have one setting for my Victorian outfits, because you can get a really sharp hip/ribcage divide that’s a bit like a real corset, y’know, that >
Comment by Cyn Vandeverre — April 25, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
I had exactly the same experience, and then I had to shrink myself even further because a lot of the cool clothes I found didn’t fit my rather modestly “plus size” form. I had split seams on t-shirts, toes sticking out of shoes, boots too narrow for muscular calves, etc. And I swear my AV has gotten a little skinnier on her own lately, as if a recent SL update skewed the stats somehow (or she’s been secretly purging when I’m afk).
And indeed I am finding that spending lots of time following my AV around is making me feel fatter in RL. Pathetic in a way, but I guess if it gets me to the gym more often it’s a net gain.
I think that answers most of the questions.
On a related note, I am having a really hard time finding a skin I like. To be blunt, I want nipples and pubic hair but not a lot of face makeup (and preferably not a Brazilian wax, but I’m willing to compromise on that point). I’ve tried a couple “plain” demos, but found the effect somewhat ghoulish, and even the “casual” ones have too much makeup for me. Can anyone recommend a vendor with more hippie-ish options?
Comment by Murgatroyd — April 25, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
Murgatroyd, try Pixel Deep for nipples and public hair without a lot of makeup. She has built up an extensive range of faces now, but the original, “fresh faced” skins are still there.
Gala also has some and there are demos for the bare face, as well.
Comment by Sabrina Doolittle — April 25, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
Argh. I forgot that using angle brackets to illustrate a point is a bad idea. Sorry about that.
The rest of my post, which was cut off, said (more or less):
“two angle brackets pointing at each other to imitate the sharp divide” and that I have another setting which is more like a natural/fit woman — like two parenthesis )( — because slender women usually don’t have a sharp angle there, and are often actually straight on the sides.
And the bosoms, OMG. My avatar has a B or C cup, which is in the 5-7 range on the sliders, and Dolly Parton herself would probably only be a 40. Truly scary proportions there at the far end of the range. The men’s “package” options are likewise rather scary.
There are people who wear their RL shape in SL, as well as disabilities or non-beautiful realities. I may make a setting which matches my RL body at some point, but I’m betting that the sliders won’t make a realistic fatter person; the body physics change.
Comment by Cyn Vandeverre — April 25, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Thanks Sabrina I will definitely check those vendors!
Comment by Murgatroyd — April 25, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
My avatar is an attempt to do an approximation of my RL body, but it’s not quite possible to do that with the built-in settings. I’m a man, and have a very large chest — even though I’m pretty overweight these days, my chest is still larger than my stomach. But in SL, you can’t be fat without making the stomach bigger than the chest, so my avatar looks a bit more buff than I really am. I think it’s inspiring, though — my avatar reminds me what I can look like if I work out more regularly.
I’ve not changed anything based on the appearance of others in SL, or clothes or anything. As in RL, I find a lot of the things people do to their appearance pretty entertaining. And as in RL, my wife dresses me most of the time.
Regarding how the overly thin/tall appearance of most avatars affects perceptions of women, think it’s a mirror of society and not a cause of anything.
Comment by Doughmao — April 25, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape? After about 10 shapes, I found one with facial features I liked that also had a nice curvy shape with ample booty and thought it suited “me” best.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
and
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world? I don’t have any desire to look like anyone or fit into any kind of mainstream appearance. I changed my shape because it didn’t feel right to me and kept changing it until it did. I am still shorter than most female avs.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av? It is possible. I struggled with feeling like I was betraying my attitude of loving ourselves no matter what our size but the fact is I still do and I don’t think I need to be larger in SL to prove that.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed? This was my biggest influence. I actually had a shape I liked but was always fussing with the hair because the head was too big and it got to be too much work for someone that buys as much hair as I do. The same with prim skirts. With this shape it’s only a minor adjustment which I am much more comfortable with.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa? Not at all. I still like what I see in the mirror even if I am a lot bigger than my avatar. This is me..that is her.. I find that separation to be quite easy.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? I think if someone already has low self esteem, bad body image, then looking at a “perfect” representation of themselves every day could make them feel even worse about themselves but if they have a healthy attitude it shouldn’t influence them one way or the other.
I find it interesting, heartbreaking even, that most of the population is a size 14 or over, so odds are most of the people behind these avatars is plus size yet the world is filled with thin, perfectly proportioned females that all have super long legs. Something to think about I suppose.
Comment by Angel — April 25, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
1. A day’s worth of futzing, and the occasional tweak.
2. It’s a slightly “better” version of my RL body. One day, though, I made another shape that was much closer. Sometimes, when I’m in a big conversation with a friend (usually male), I whip it out to illustrate that they shouldn’t be too devoted to their visual perceptions of me.
3. Not based on other people. no. I noticed my av’s breasts were a little smaller and more buoyant than my real ones, so I adjusted that a little.
4. I’m not sure if changing trends would inspire me to go larger. I don’t like being influenced much by anyone else’s shape one way or another - except when I’m too tall or short for a guy in certain animations
then I may change my height a little for the occasion.
5. I had to shrink my feet and hands for shoes and manicures/gloves, which frankly sucks. And the clothes may influence why I don’t lower my breasts even further.
6. My av’s size and shape haven’t influenced my feelings about my RL body, but talking to so many different people and being in a world where anyone can look very different in RL and it doesn’t matter because of how they talk and act in SL - it’s really brought home the idea of not judging a book by its cover in all lives.
7. Here comes what may be an unpopular semi-rant. To be honest, when I first saw that people were selling shapes, it made me kinda sad. It was like the worst media-influence nightmare brought to life: “hey, you should look like this - and you literally can!” I’ve tried to make my thighs bigger in appearance mode, so I have some idea that there are some limitations in what you can do (be nice if the Lindens could work on that) - but c’mon! People have all these options what to do with their body, but they go buy someone else’s? I won’t judge people who do (though it’s not sounding like that now), but I just don’t understand it. Still, everyone chooses what to do with their av, and in SL it doesn’t threaten your health to make it a certain way, so that freedom should be respected, even if you’re going to be a brickhouse.
Comment by Valerie — April 25, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
My avi actually changes shapes, though Im settling on one I really like, more for the face than anything else. I actually do find, that different clothes from different designers almost do require a different shape to really look good.
She doesn’t look like me physically, larger boobs, (rl a C cup, sl maybe a C or D) less bottom, and not so different hair color. I like it she doesn’t “approximate” me. I like the whole idea of second life where my avi can be sexy and dress that way. The overall size of my avi, in the shape I like, is probably a bit larger than some. I think I like that also.
Do I want to get on the scales…I’m not sure! Going to the doctor a lot recently has made me shy away from them. It is hard to judge size though in sl, whether we are talking height, hips or boobs….Actually I think that would help most of us who don’t really like “sliders” give us at least help on “Appearance” to produce a shape that is in terms we are all more familiar with.
Comment by MichelleMarie Lapointe — April 25, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I played around with the sliders a lot and made minor adjustments to the general shape here and there over the years, and more adjustments to save a body-copy with each new skin.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else
A blend of them all. I didn’t want a skinny av with no hips and huge boobs like most seemed to have, or the tiny waifish figure with stick thin arms that also seems uber-popular. I opted for more of a blend between athletic and pin-up proportions. Medium boobs, slim waist, full hips and booty. The height and the facial features are what I added of my real self. (I’m 6′)
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I think mine is just right for me as it is, but I’ve seen some hot looking voluptuous avs around. I think some of them look great, when proportioned right/realistically.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
A minor amount. But more often I choose not to wear or buy certain items because I don’t want to change my av’s shape too much. Most prim skirts are not made for avs with healthy hips and butt, so I rarely if ever buy them. If there were a decent choice of non size-0 shoes, I would never buy those again either. A tall av looks ridiculous with size 0 feet.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Other than the occasional wish that I had my avs body and clothes looked that good in RL, I don’t compare the two.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I won’t try and get into the psychology of it all, but I think it’s sad that so many people are so willing to follow trends no matter how unhealthy, unrealistic or downright ugly they are. I doubt SL will change societal body trends one way or another. They’ve been prevalent for as long as people have been social creatures. I just hope they shift back to a more voluptuous look. I’m tired of seeing models with the figures of 12 year old boys.
Comment by Jonquille — April 25, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I have issues with perceiving proportion and distance in RL due to issues I won’t go into. After dealing with sliders and still feeling like a freak of size and shape (arms - how do you know when your arms are too long - that made me CRAZY), I finally searched around for a pre-made shape with a good sense of proportion. I then tweaked the face for days. At first I tried bobbing around as my RL height, but after being called “hobbit” repeatedly and having people ask if I was a child avatar, I bumped up my height and “cheated” a little to give myself some nice long legs (a trait I’ve always envied on others). I’ve reduced the default size of my av’s breasts twice and feel comfortable where they are now, but may go smaller again for reasons below.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
In some ways. I’ve been a brunette and worn glasses from the start. But, the height issue is a big “no” on that - my SL character is 8″ taller than the RL me.
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
No. The “perfect” body belongs to either Salma Hayek or Monica Belucci depending on which day I hate the other least. If my avatar represented the “perfect” body I’d like to have, you’d look at me and mistake me for one of them.
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
I think my size and shape is realistic, yes. As for counter-balance, I don’t really care.
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
I’m not so sure how unique most of us can really be. I’m using other people’s skins, hair, etc. I’m a mutt of my parts. How unique a mutt, I’m not certain. As with any on-line social environment I believe it’s the way I communicate the does or does not make me unique and I don’t put a lot of stock into the appearance of my avatar as a method of communication.
e/Something else
Of the choices provided, I’d have to go with “E.” My avatar is the base cut-out for me to play paper dolls with. She’s the blank slate that I get to dress up. I have affection for her the way I did a favorite doll, not really any sense of attachment or expression beyond that. Although if you ask me tomorrow I may feel completely different. The voices in my head take turns.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes. I made myself taller.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No. I’d feel like a poser.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Huge. I’ve reduced my breasts over it for heaven’s sake and may do so again so that the “breast stretch” texture issue stops pissing me off. Also I’ve fiddled with my shoulders to try and help the shoulder strap issue as well. So yes, clothes looking good on my avie has been one of the bigger influences on the shape of my avie.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Neither. If I had sliders and an airbrush in RL there are things I’d change and things I’d leave the same. It has always been thus and SL has had no influence on that whatsoever. And, as I’ve illustrated, my SL shape is hardly represented by the RL one, so - meh - next question.
7. Do you think the prevalence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
This involves social science and philosophy. Damn you. In RL, I think the perceptions of our RL bodies stem from evolutionary competition and mating instincts that are innate. I think they existed before Hollywood and fashion and will always exist. As thinking beings it is up to us as individuals to live with the pull of them, incorporate and understand, and rise above them or at lease come to terms. Not all can or will. People put varying degrees of importance on their appearance and that’s as it should be. I think a fashion model can still be a feminist and I also think that different shapes of women can be beautiful. I don’t think that fussing over the right shade of lipstick makes me any less an educated female. My grandmother burned her bra AND went to a hair salon once a week for as long as she lived. Our relationship with beauty will always be complicated. That said, I have zero issue with how people choose to represent themselves in their fantasy life - be that skinny minnie, George Hamilton tan, furry bunny, or Kool-Aid Man.
Comment by Salome Strangelove — April 25, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I arrived at my avatar’s shape and look for a completely geeky reason… to carry onward my image from the last on-line game I was playing: Neverwinter Nights.
I was a petite, flat chested, pointy eared, elf of asian extraction in Neverwinter Nights, so… petite, flat chested, pointy eared, elf of asian extraction in Second Life.
Pretty geeky huh? LOL. I can’t help it. I’ve been playing the same basic character for 5 years. It really has nothing to do with body image at all. I just love my avatar.
- Xia
Comment by Xia Nishi — April 25, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
My av’s shape is still basically the same impossibly idealized version of my RL body that I originally developed after joining SL. Her height increased significantly in the first couple of months, so I needed to tweak other sliders to keep proportional, but no dramatic changes were made. The height issue had to do with everyone else being so tall…I felt squatty. lol
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a) An approximation of your RL body
b) A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
d) Something that uniquely represents you in SL
I have an hourglass-type figure in RL, although Ann is thinner, longer-legged, and has a better butt. Her face is not much like mine, except around the eyes.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Just height…oh and my feet, because the designers forced me too. SHOES!!!!!
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No, it’s a fantasy world and I like having my fantasy body there. At the same time, I do wish we had a little more diversity so those who would prefer to be larger could, without having to deal with snide remarks and such.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I expect clothing to flatter my shape, not the other way around. My butt is too big for system skirts and a lot of prim babydoll-type dresses, but I won’t change it. I’ve stopped wearing the former, except sometimes on full-skirted gowns, and if I can’t edit the latter to fit reasonably well, they get deleted or passed on as well.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
My av’s shape is a bit of wishful thinking, but too unrealistic to make actual comparisons to the real world, so no. I’m pretty sure that body would look freakish in RL anyway. lol
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
No, they’re pixelated dolls…dolls are not something most of us strive to be. I’m not even sure about the accusations made against models and the like, except perhaps in our formative years, while we’re still figuring out who we are.
Comment by Ann Launay — April 25, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
- I went for sort of “me, but prettier”. She’s a reasonable RL size which means that most other avies tower over her, but I sort of like that!
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
- It’s a rough approximation. Skinny, but with a big bum & hips!
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
- not at all. But I wandered around SL alone for ages and by the time I’d met a number of people I’d got so used to the shape I left her as she was.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
- I’m not changing her now - I’d have to re-adjust all my prim skirts & hair!
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I did adjust my nose after buying my first skin as it looked huge!
- I sometimes curse having to adjust all skirts to fit my middle, and hair to shrink onto my small head - but it gets easier with practise
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
- no
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
- I think there are enough RL pressures there that the SL ones are probably not significant.
Comment by Christine Montgomery — April 25, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
1.How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape? It was a process of trial & error, since it was my 1st & only attempt at creating a shape - to which I am really happy, wanted the shape to be as much like the real me as possible, but I’ve also added a bit of artistic license in my uber legginess!
2.Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a & b
3.Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world? Not even slightly
4.If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
no. This is interesting though, as I’d happily ‘go large’ if it was for a purpose - ie, to tackle prejudice head on.
5. compliments the clothing, and I compliment the clothing
6. It’s made me notice things
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Yes & no.
Comment by Cherrie — April 25, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
Well, I haven’t made that many adjustments from my default AV, obviously I tweaked the face a hell of a lot, the height too. I didn’t have any desire to copy my RL shape as I am somewhat lean and boyish, so my av has what i would like in rl… curves galore with a slim waist, big hips and a plump JLo ass! The only thing which is similar to me is my boobage, I have stupidly small breasticles in RL, and still, reasonably small in SL (about 30 on the slider).
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Nopes, in fact, I think most female av’s inworld are too skinny, and I have seen some that look positively anorexic. I prefer to be different.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av? I am already larger, slightly!
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Big hips and ass means that some prim skirts don’t fit so well, infact, my hips and butt look great in jeans but enormous in even tight skirts, so I have to tweak the sliders to get everything back into proportion, which is annoying. I might also tweak my boobs dependant on the outfit, but still, I almost always have small boobs.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Nopes, but damn i would like a JLo butt!
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I can only speak from personal experience, and honestly I think everyone should be able to look however they wish in SL, that’s the fun of it! I love seeing curvier girls in SL, and kudos to those who choose to be small, whatever floats your boat, this is a virtual world after all, though honestly, the sper skinny anorexic av’s are just plain disturbing, thankfully I dont see many of those.
Comment by Aem — April 25, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
1.
like you, bri, i started with an approximation of my RL face and body, and chickened out after seeing all those skinny avatars around, so just cut out most of the bulk :). than i changed the lips, because i have an absolutely flat lip cleft irl and, although i love it, it doesn’t work with most skins (blame the caucasians). than i decided to change my skin, because i’m latina and most “medium” skins don’t look like naturally darker skins, but rather like tanned white skin (blame the caucasians again) so i decided to go as pale as possible. than i “grew up” and got the height slider to 60, because poses and animations never worked in my av. and then i ended up with something that, except for the lack of ass and excessive boobs, looks NOTHING like me IRL
2.
um, maybe C. i’m still to skinny for my own taste, but my waist slider is not set to 0 yet
3.
yeah, see 1
4.
absolutely. i’d feel much more confortable closer to my real size, but i feel incredibly PHAT compared to all those sticks with boobs around.
5.
it’s always difficult to fit prim skirts and belts, because most avs have much less waist and much more hips than me:/. i’m not an hourglass.
6.
not really. i just get a bit frustrated each time i gain a little weight or i’m bloated, and feel my pants a bit tighter than they should be: “in second life my clothes ALWAYS fit” :).
7.
maybe, but i don’t really think it’s a major influence. models on the catwalks and magazines are real women (well, maybe part silicone, part amphetamines, but real indeed:), it’s way worse.
Comment by moire georgette — April 25, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
This is a really great topic for discussion, thanks for the opportunity to this!
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
She was a shape that I was given by a friend to try out. I already had a shape that I was happy with, but when I tried the shape on I really liked her look.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be: e/something else
Hmm, a tough question. I really like the way that Kitty looks in world-she has a nice shape and boobies, However, contrary to what I would have expected I’m happy with the way she appears, flat tummy and all. I view Kitty totally as a character separate to myself, but one that reflects certain aspects of me in RL but without the same liking for pizza/cakes/Ben & Jerry’s. But I have no aspirations to be like that in RL one bit. I’m happy with my body in RL..Ok, I’m 5ft 8 and a size 16, but I like my curves ( most of the time!) and if I’m not happy with my RL shape I know that I can go to the gym more/go on a diet to sort it out. (The one thing I share with Kitty appearance wise is my long hair- whenever I buy hair it has to be long- there’s no concession on that point!)
3. Did you change your initial size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Not at all- I have seen some exceptionally skinny avatars though, and I think they are really unattractive. They seem to have disproportionately long legs and just don’t work for me at all. Kitty’s shape just seems to fit her personality and overall look, and that’s why I’ve stuck with it.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Nope, like I said before- the shape/skin that I have are Kitty- if I wanted her to look any different then I would have already addressed that. I don’t use SL so that I can look like the girl I want to be..reality check, it’s a virtual world, she’s a virtual character. She isn’t real, she doesn’t have to put up with the issues around weight and appearance that we bombard ourselves with in RL. None of it is applicable to her, and that’s one of the freedoms of it!
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I love some of the clothes Kitty wears so much that I really wish I had them in RL! Plus, I can buy things in SL that I could never afford in RL, like some of the beautiful gowns that she now owns. It’s fabulous. Kitty’s shape does seem to lend itself really well to clothing, especially of the slinky kinky variety. She’s such a show off, so the clothes I buy reflect that.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa? Nope, not a jot. No, actually not true- I have really bad period pains right now and I hate Kitty for not having to suffer like we do in RL! GAHHH!!! ( Not really, I’m jesting,obviously)
7. Do you think the prevalence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? No, because it’s a fictional reality. I can appreciate the fact that SL let’s you be who you want to be, and live out a fantasy lifestyle, otherwise I wouldn’t bee so addicted to it- but I don’t agree that SL promotes an unhealthy influence. I can change my appearance by a click of a switch, in RL I need diets/cosmetic surgery/air-brushing…
Don’t you think it raises some really important questions about ourselves though that in SL there really aren’t that many plus size models reflected in the virtual press? It’s interesting when you consider this world can be shaped in so many different ways, and yet the virtual fashion press seems to have followed a similar path to that reflected in RL. Having said that though, there are differences- for example, how many ferrets have you seen gracing the pages of ‘Vogue’ recently?
Comment by kitty Otoole — April 25, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I started off doing the instinctual “I’m gonna make a Barbie Me”, but very quickly I realized I didn’t like being a stick with long legs and an enormous chest. I’ve been tweeking my av - and continue to do so - based around my own proportions, but still keeping some features idealized.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
I’m actually a combo of A and B. IRL I’m 5′7″ and 135 lbs, but I dont exercise and my chest is relatively small. My SL av is an idealized version of my RL proportions - Wide hips & legs, thin arms, but with a flat stomach and slightly larger boobs.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
I started sticking to something more realistic and less steriotypical “Barbie Stick Model” once I saw avs with wide hips, big butts, and lots of realistic curves. Before then I tried to hard to be the “perfect” figure and was NEVER satisfied (more than 1/2 my time in game would be spent messing with sliders)
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Probably not, since the basic height/weight proportions of my av is still pretty much me; I just flattened my stomach as if I actually had the time to work out IRL. Everything else is pretty much the same.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
If I buy a skin I really like, I will sometimes edit the face VERY slightly, but if I have to do major changes than I usually end up ditching the skin before I totally redo my shape. Clothing doesn’t effect it; buying a prim skirt with my butt hanging out the back ends up resulting in an hour of me tweeking the skirt before I change any appearence sliders.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
I think anyone who claims they don’t have even MINOR body issues is lying… that being said, SL didn’t really add or change those that I already had, nor did it make me more or less self-concious about it.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
That depends on whether or not you think looking at lots of thin, “perfect” figures at all has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions. The only thing SL changes is that this little doll we create and associate as “Me” is now the ideal figure, and not some unnamed model in a magazine. The nature of Beauty, by definition, means there will always be an “ideal”, and with SL - unlike in RL - you can very easily achieve that ideal. Honestly, those who choose not to set themselves directly to that ideal, even if they are “prettier” than they may think they are IRL, are probably the least influenced and the healthiest out of all of us…. because while they COULD have that virtual “perfection”, they choose not to. I also think that too much weight is put on one’s size, and simply because someone wishes to be thinner does not mean that they are “unhealthy”; it’s the means in which they go to achieve that smaller size. SL is probably one of the best things a healthy, curvy girl can do to live out her “I want to be skinny” fantasy. (expecially with alternatives like Anorexia….)
Comment by Lizardbeth Lulu — April 25, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
When I first arrived in-world, I used the shape I was given, and based my sliders off of a friend’s slider measurements. I hated the face though, and kept trying to adjust it, but I could never get it the way I wanted. I eventually saw a pre-made shape in Calla and I loved it. I bought that and made adjustments to the height, nose, breasts and butt.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
Certain parts of my avi’s body are things I’d like in RL, like smaller boobs than I actually do and some of her height.
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
I feel most like me with this shape, not sure why. The basics haven’t really changed much since I first came in-world.
e/Something else
I generally make sure my clothes look proper and there’s no texture distortion when I put them on. Big breasts make clothes look completely weird, and like the avi is going to burst out of her top any minute. I am a big proponent of dressing appropriately to your body type in RL and I am the same in SL.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes, I made myself taller.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No, because clothes would still look off to me. Most avi’s seem to have similar shapes already - gigantic breasts, tiny waists and hips you can balance trays on. I don’t look like that, so I don’t see myself changing anything else.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
It is really the only consideration I have in my shape.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
No. My Second Life is not representative of my Real Life in any way. If only I could wander around all day and look at pretty clothes, trying on different hairstyles and decorating, I’d be a happy girl.
7. Do you think the prevalence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I never thought about it, and it’s far too early in the morning to think about it now. Fashion models and magazines have zero influence on me IRL, and I don’t get influenced by others in SL (except for that height thing).
Comment by Phoenix Chapman — April 25, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
I’ve also been thinking about shape and size in SL a lot over the last couple of weeks. I came to SL to get into the sex industry, I wanted to be an escort. This led me to create an avatar that was, in my opinion, a sex bomb. (Although, I have come to discover that my opinion of what is sexy isn’t exactly the same as the general opinion in SL - if I am to judge by the example of other dancers and escorts in SL.)
I never considered Second Life to be a reproduction of my real life. This included shape, size, hair color, eye color - I never considered making my avatar a copy of myself. Recently, though, in a fit of boredom, I did begin to modify a shape to resemble myself in real life. I made it as realistic as I could, but trying it out outside of appearance mode was a nightmare. I’m not sure if it was my AO or not, but my body was getting cut apart in weird places - it wasn’t very attractive. I might come back to the shape again sometime, though, it was quite fun.
On to the questions:
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I searched for shapes and found “petite” shapes from In Great Shape. I bought one and have been a fan of them ever since. There wasn’t a lot of thought involved in the process; I liked the faces and the general shape of the body, and so I bought a few shapes to try out. I have modified them a good bit over time, tweaking here and there to get a look I really like.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of
too-skinnySL avatarsd/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
If asked to choose one answer, I would pick D. My avatar (and the way she currently looks) is as much a part of my SL experience as buying new clothes and lag. Her looks are perhaps not unique, but they are “mine” and I have made them so.
I would also like to think of her as a realistic counter-balance to other avatars, but not because she is larger than most. She is extremely petite and small, with small breasts and hips, but with a slightly protruding belly. When standing with a group of female avatars, I tend to feel like a child. These avatars tend to have certain sliders over 75 (like height, breasts, and hips) and other sliders under 25 (like belly and hands and feet). These Barbie-like avatars are ever-present in SL.
But these things are all relative. I have measured my avatar’s height and she stands at about 5′8, not exactly small. (Although, I will also try the scale at the LL offices later!) And her smaller breasts, narrower hips and gently protruding belly are also realistic, in my opinion. My avatar has a natural shape. But, she does look quite small next to other avatars.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
I didn’t compare my avatar to other avatars in the beginning, and by the time I had begun to do so I was already attached to the shape and didn’t want to change it to fit in better. So, no.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I think a larger variety of shapes is what SL needs. Small sizes, regular sizes, tall sizes - just like in real life, no one is quite the same as anyone else.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Practically none. I will always tweak clothes to fit my avatar, I don’t change the shape to fit clothes. I have even recently had something custom-fitted (god bless the lovely Siyu Suen), and the fitting prompted a number of comments such as: “You really are tiny!”
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
My avatar has nothing to do with my real life, so I have never compared it to myself. So, I suppose it has no influence on how I feel, no.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
People are either influenced or they are not. I am generally not influenced by advertisment, movies, films, etc. I am happy with my body, whether or not a society in general currently approves of it or not. My real life sister, on the other hand, is heavily influenced and is constantly in agony over her body. But we are both healthy and fit, and I believe that is the important thing to keep in mind.
Comment by Candy Flanagan — April 25, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I tried to start with an approximation of my normal shape and size, but found that my proportions look wrong in SL. It doesn’t look like me. Then I decided I might like to take fashion pictures, so I worked on my avatar to get a better shape. She’s too skinny, but whenever I add hips, booty, and thighs, then her proportions get messed up.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL My av is thinner than my ideal, but I like her shape and proportion.
e/Something else
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
NO. If I did, she would be much taller and have gigantic hands and girls.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
If the SL “normal” or “plus” av would be smooth, have good proportions,and wear clothes well, I would have a “normal” or slightly petite av.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
A lot. Although when I get a shape that looks good in clothes, she’s too skinny in a bathing suit.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
No. Although I am a bit uncomfortable that she’s so much smaller than even my ideal. I do want her to be an idealized version of me, but my ideal is not quite so skinny.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I hope not.
Comment by Jana Crispien — April 25, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
Lots of fiddling with sliders, lots of venomous battles with body-dysmorphic tendencies over the face. The fact isn’t actually me but it conveys a me-ish impression in that it’s a bit pointy and disconcerting and has a bigger nose than most.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
My me-avatar is an attempt to reproduce my overall proportions on a taller-than-me height, because not being at approximate eye level gets annoying. Also, I have a lot of clothes I had before I backlashed and decided to go more hyperrealistic, so I did backtrack a bit to make more of them wearable. I don’t actually know what I look like anyway (I’m not full-on body-dysmorphic as such but I do have some serious trouble not seeing a MONSTER in the mirror) so maybe a cross between what I think I look like and an Absurd Ideal is not that inaccurate. The thing that worries me most is that I’m actually frequently underweight IRL yet my avatar looks bigger than many.
I also have a goblin avatar which is small skinny and green and walks with a weird lurch, and a sinister child who glides in a creepy pair with an identically-dressed friend. They’re great for reminding me not to take the avatar=me thing too literally.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Nope, mainly because I left my avatar height at 50 and worked around that whe I first joined, so I am nicely Average in height, which is the most noticeable stat when communicating.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
It’d be a bit of a fib, but I’d very much like an SL where it was more likely and I might fill out a bit to make it damn clear I’m not trying to be an Ideal. My weird pointy face helps for that, though
My issues are mostly face rather than body ones (plus leg hair which seems oddly unavailable on skins) so that is where my defiant focus mostly is. It has the bonus of leaving me mostly safe from sleazy men. My avatar also looks somehow older than other ones, more thirties than teen-to-twenties. I rather like that.
One day when I have vast wealth and am feeling mad I will commission a skin with open pores, zits, leg hair, cellulite and possibly a bit of a tache. It will be called the Big Damn Feminazi skin and it will clearly sell in its thousands. I also second the why-all-the-makeup comment. “Nude” lips that are glossier than PVC trousers scare me especially.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Sadly, I did shrink a bit to get my arse back into my frocks. The way avatars are animated also meant that when mine turned her proportions looked weird so I had to iron that out a bit. I did also tweak my face a bit when I first got a “proper” skin, to compensate for the difference it made.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Not vastly. Although the one thing I won’t do is have bigger-than-life breasts. The idea of BIG FAKE BOOBIES seems a slightly creepy thing to choose to do given that their main effect would be annoying male attention. I find people complimenting my avatar in “you’re hot” terms not “ooh, nice skin” terms creepy because IT ISN’T ME. It is pixels made by other people.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I think it’s effect not cause, although obviously every instance of Absurd Ideal Body feeds back into the cycle. If I might recommend The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf to the two people who haven’t read it, just to make sure everyone has? It’s great for turning one’s body issues from self-esteem problems into righteous anger. I don’t agree with every word but the overall message and tone is damn near perfect.
Comment by Miriam Woyseck — April 25, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
just to add, my av has big breasts and small hips because i *am* that way irl. i live in brazil, the bundaland, and having no booty is a BAD thing here :P. i even tried a petite, more hourglassy shape, but it really didn’t felt enough like “me”.
Comment by moire georgette — April 25, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I played with the original ruth shape until I liked what I saw.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL.
My av is slender (not waiflike) and a bit muscular. I wish for that irl *sigh*
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
At first I was very tall like everyone else was, but have shortened her up several times. Still taller then me irl, but shorter then I was at the beginning.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I have seen several very beautiful full figured avs, but no I would not change my shape.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I didn’t like the skirt butt I had at first and made a seperate skirt av, but really dont care anymore. I like how it looks now…lol.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Not really. I could lose a few pounds irl, but not because of how I look in sl.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I have seen some super thin avatars and to me they look icky (just like rl). But what I really dont understand is all the huge boobs and butts on the women and giant chests and arms on the men. To me it looks horrible and not very realistic at all. My av has a small chest and I like her that way
Comment by Dorra Debs — April 25, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I picked my height to match my RL height, 6ft tall.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
I started out with a fairly realistic body, but have scaled it down a bit. In RL, I have a bit of, uh, “junk in the trunk”. I found that with a realistic butt, my SL clothes didn’t fit as nicely. I think I’ve reached a point now where I have a larger than normal booty but my skirts still look good.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No, based on how the beautiful clothes I was finding in-world looked on me.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I’m old enough and confident enough that I don’t base my avie on other folks. I’m trying to be realistic, but still live out my repressed Barbie dressing instincts.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
A good bit, as I mentioned above. I love the dresses and reduced my butt to make them look better. The little bit of belly I put on my avie looks fine with the dresses for the most part.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Nope! I do love putting clothes on my avie, though, that I can’t wear in RL because I’m too old, I’m a bit zaftig, or because I work in a professional environment.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I think that fashion magazines, models, and ads in RL are far more pervasive and have a MUCH great effect on girls and women than SL ever will.
Comment by Sioban — April 25, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
In RL I am taller than average, a solid 14 and curvy. I have always been curvy, even at my skinniest and fittest. So when I joined SL, I decided to see what it was like to be the exact opposite: short and slender. Someone who could wear tank tops and not look weird (read: slutty). I figured, you can be whatever you want here, so why not a body type that, even after all the fasting and kickboxing in the world, I could never achieve because it’s not how I am built. Unless I had breast reduction surgery, but that oogies me.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
At first I wanted to see what it would look like, but it’s amazing how the shape defined who my av became. She is an elfish, playful, friendly little thing (strange, as I am quite reserved and sarcastic in RL). People on SL have even commented that I’m too short and my boobs aren’t big enough. And strangely, I became proud of being different (even though my av is still clearly ideally skinny by today’s standards).
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Nope.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Vanity alert: probably not. My av’s personality is petite. But, to satisfy my curvier roots, I DID create a buxom alt. And tanks look weird on her too.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Ok, I’ll admit it, I upped her cup size to make tops fit better.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
This is something my RL best friend, also on SL, talk about all the time. We wish we had our avs’ perky butts and whittled waists. So much so, that it actually became a bit depressing. Because my BF is a motivated girl, she ran out and joined a gym. I’m still whining and moping about, but hold hope that eventually my av’s trim and fit thighs inspire me likewise.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
See above: yup. But honestly, most of the female avs I see have ENORMOUS breasts and, as a RL owner of D-cup bras, I want to scream: “do you have any idea what a pain in the neck those things REALLY are?!”
Comment by Meg Zhao — April 25, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
Like many have responded, I initially tried to get her to look like me. I don’t think I changed appearance based on other’s appearances; in fact, I’ve tried to not give in to the pressure to look like a porn star or other cultural “ideal” of femininity.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
A combination of a/ An approximation of your RL body, and c/
A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
My size decisions have nothing to with the “norms” of SL but with other things (see next question).
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I have had to make changes from my initial shape because of clothing. In trying to make my avatar not terribly different from myself, she is tall, has a little bit of a belly, is large-breasted (with a realistic amount of sag), long-armed, and originally, large-footed. The large feet, of course, had to go once I tried to buy shoes. The long arms looked freakish with some clothes, and the natural sag to the bust presented problems with some tops. So, her feet and arms shrunk and her breasts got a bit more lift (though nothing unrealistic) over time (which is only about 6 weeks in world, but feels like a lifetime).
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
I suppose, since though I didn’t plan it, I believe she is prettier than I am, and thus, I’m becoming a little jealous of her.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
As I said before, I feel somewhat envious of my avi’s looks, but that is my problem (could spend some time on the shrink’s couch with this one, I’m sure). What has been surprising to me is that though she’s pretty, she’s far from the “ideal” in that she has some weight on her belly, hips and arms, her boobs aren’t coming out of her shoulders, and she doesn’t dress in an overtly sexy way, people, especially male avi’s, seem very drawn to her; I am continuously fending off attention and my sweetness and sexiness are often remarked upon. I think there is something very “girl next door” about her in this SL world of porn movie escapees that is very appealing. Honestly, I was trying for invisibility, but it didn’t work!
Comment by S. Slade — April 25, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
My good buddy T and I had this conversation the first day we met… seems like virtually EVERYONE we know (furries aside) makes their av to have the facial bone structure that they ACTUALLY DO HAVE and then sculpts their body to some idealized structure. (Get some friends to send you their RL pix and check this for yourself).
In my case… I started out with a body with the proportions I’d have if I were skinny.. but a small butt/large shouldered woman looks weird in av form (you’ll have noticed that some avs “work” and some don’t) and actually my dear husband told me to change it… so now (below the chin) I look very much like my personal ideal of feminine beauty - but not like anything I could personally EVER look like - not even with surgery.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Not really. I changed to look better in the clothes etc.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No. But I know some ladies with curves and they look AWESOME.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
HUGE - this is a big reason I changed forms… even SL clothing doesn’t look good on my body type.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Nope.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I mostly think it reflects where people’s heads are… the ultra skinny folks are saying sometihng about themselves - whether it’s that they used to be that small, that they prefer to look slightly androgynous, or ?? It’s like the Barbie Bods (100% boobs, 0% bodyfat, 100%legs) they’re saying “I’m a man, this is an alt, I’m going Gor, or I’m an escort”.
What messes up the random analysis of strangers by bodytype is all the shapes for sale! Ah for the days when you had to make your own…
PS the one exception to the “face like your own rule” is children - I have two good friends who have avs that are the spitting images of their daughters.
Comment by Hearthrose — April 25, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Ooh, forgot to mention hair. I have long hair and sometimes my avatar has short hair because she doesn’t have to spend months growing it out. She also has updos I could never be bothered with, both because she can and because SL long hair is such a nuisance. Obviously there are other things that can be changed short-term in SL that aren’t undoable in RL, but hair is the obvious one. Also, she can perch her glasses on the end of her nose librarian-fashion without it causing her to walk into things. I do find that when she’s wearing dressed-up clothes I genuinely feel less relaxed than when she’s in jeans, which is weird, but at least hooker heels can be worn for childish glee without blisters resulting.
Buying absurd clothes in SL makes me less likely to buy real ones. That is very very useful because I have expensive tastes without the budget for them, and the occasional five quid on linden dollars is a hell of a lot cheaper than swanky frocks from People Tree that I’ll never wear anyway even if they are swoonmaking. Now I just have an inventory of barely-worn clothes, and it doesn’t bulge at the edges like my wardrobe does.
Comment by Miriam Woyseck — April 25, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
Thank goodness I have held true to myself. Despite temptations from become a goddess I have resistested. When my best friend in SL changed her appreaence for the standard skinny amazon I nearly caved in.
I have held my ground all this time. From day one, I only adjusted when I found the nifty toys telling me height and weight (I was pretty damned close).
Stop by and say Hi!. My avatar looks almost like the RL me. I shopped for 2 weeks before I found the right skin. I have a load of hair but I tend to stay with my pixie cut. Ask to see my RL picture. I will show you. You will see I tried to be true to me.
I am not tall and by SL standards I am fat. I would never say I was fat in RL. I never wear skirts in SL cause the look terrible. Lots of slack and cute shorts. I do wish we could find a way around the big hips in skirts. LOL, I am a little vain I guess.
I get comment all the time on my avatar and how real it is. I love it. Even when I am staring at some girl skinny crotch I dont mind so much.
So come to my island and look for me. I am the short, chunky (not really) red head bopping around Venice Island. I did give into the sexy walk though. I dont walk THAT sexy in RL but I do walk with my head held high.
SL & RL Stats? 5′7″ Tall 180lbs
Why not be yourself…Love who you are!
Comment by Melody Regent — April 25, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
I don’t see why some of the borderline-derogatory comments about ‘Barbie bodies’ are necessary, particularly in terms of breasts. If you don’t like that look, don’t do it, but also be aware that you have no idea what the other person’s motivation for their shape may be. They aren’t necessarily going along with the crowd, trying to attract guys, or whatever else you may assume. You like your shape, I like mine…let’s not criticize each other’s choices.
Comment by Ann Launay — April 25, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
The shape I wear all the time now has evolved over time. I make shapes, so I change constantly. However I have one shape I keep comming back to and is not for sale, I consider that one to be Polly in SL.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
Although she is still “thin” I find myself adding weight to her, espesically the face
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Not for my main shape, however it does influence the type of shapes I sell
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I think a lot can be said for a larger av, big can be beautiful! There was a store called Shipshape that had the best plus size avatars I’ve eve seen, tho sadly she has left SL and closed up shop
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
NOt much except for the breast size. I find most clothing looks better on a smaller size bust.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Not really
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I don’t think it HAS an influence, I think it IS influenced by the mainstream media, fashion mags ect.
Comment by Polly Pavlova — April 25, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
I’d be interested to know how wide a range of motivations does lie behind many of these superficially-similar bodies. After all, there are too many for them all to be some sort of hive mind.
I could see the point of “going along with the crowd”, actually. Not everyone wants to spend half their time fielding comments about their avatar’s supposed shortcomings. Maybe being a common shape means you can leave that whole bit out and get on with more interesting conversations. Although telling people “I’m even uglier in real life, don’t worry” does shut ‘em up.
Now can I please have a skin that doesn’t splurge lip colour over the edge of my non-collagen-style lips? Pleeze?
Comment by Miriam Woyseck — April 25, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Such interesting discussion…
Rosie started out as the RL me as well, and I had a similar experience to Sabrina when I put on my first “satin” look skirt and wow… hippo hips! not good! The body has definitely shaped to fit the clothes I like. My boobs are bigger because my male friends keep reaching in and tapping that slider upward.
Rosie and the RL me have come together in many ways since I started SL 10 months ago. I’ve started looking and dressling like her (I actually bought a pair of black pants my husband calls the “avatar pants”), and she more like me, especially in coloring.
Of course, she tends to have blue hair and Canimal body ink every now and then… The RL me taint goin’ there!
I do find it interesting though, that in a world where you can literally be whatever you wish… most people (myself included) are pretty similar in form.
Comment by Rosie Ringo — April 25, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
Apolgies to Ann if I’ve offended… I hang out at a BDSM joint… and when I see a someone maxed out that’s almost invariably what’s going on. Maybe other sims are different.
Comment by Hearthrose — April 25, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
*I change her pretty regularly, but I just think she’s cute.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
*Definitely not.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
*I’m not happy being “larger sized” in RL. So, I’d rather be what I want in SL.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
*None. I look how I want to and buy the clothes that I like.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
*No. I don’t consider my avatar to be me.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
*Nah.
Comment by Calla Canning — April 25, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
I forgot to mention hair and eyes! My av mostly wears shorter red hair styles and has green eyes and irl I have very long blond hair and grey eyes. I think I went with red because at the time I joined I didnt like any of the blond hair textures that were available and brown or black was just to different from the rl me. I have seen much better blond textures now, but I love my av with red! While I love long hair irl I wear it sorter in sl because I dont like how it looks when your hair stabs through your body.
Comment by Dorra Debs — April 25, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
To Ann Launay: I want to apologize if my big breast comments (and I know, I was probably one of the many) read as derogatory. I am a big-busted girl in RL, so all I was trying to say was that because I have ‘em…I really-really didn’t want them in SL. But just because I personally don’t want them doesn’t mean I think they are reprehensible on SL avs (I just happen to know how heavy they are…lol). So whether in RL or SL, flaunt ‘em if you’ve got ‘em, ladies!
Comment by Meg Zhao — April 25, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
1. Starting with a height of around 70, I worked towards a shape that would have been in fashion in the 1950’s.
2. Mostly ‘C’ (realistic counterbalance) with a dash of ‘B’ (wishful thinking) resulting in ‘D’ (unique representation).
3. No. What few changes I made in those first two weeks were to stand out rather than fit in. I have not changed my shape since.
4. Probably no larger than I already am in SL.
5. With the exception of prim shoes requiring size zero feet, clothing has not affected my shape. since designers seem to build for the annorexic Barbie dolls, I have learned to build my own flexi skirts which fit.
6. /me looks for appearance sliders in RL and sighs when they can not be found…
7. YES.. Absolutely.. Definitely.. Darn right!… Did I say ‘yes’?
Comment by Micah Giha — April 25, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape? I made my shape first based on what I wish I looked like and then over time tweaked it closer to what I actually look like my first life.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
e/Something else- It’s sort of a better version of me but I would make her a bit bigger if more AVs were fuller figured in comparison.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes, the height issue drove me bonkers enough to bother to measure my AVs height and decide to lower her to my actual real life height of 5′5. I use the AV ruler for all my custom AV jobs and set them to their real life heights. I’m going to lower the height of SL one AV at a time.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
That’s really hard to say, part of me wants to say I’d be braver if there were more full figured gals in SL but part of me is kind of glad that I can use all the anorexics as an excuse for keeping my AV a little thinner than I would otherwise. I’m a big girl in real life, US size 18. I’d probably want my AV to be about a 12 or 14 but I think she’s more like an 8.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
My actual head shape was designed to fit etd hair. I did eventually create a dress shape to deal with system skirt bulk and my legs are less muscular than I would like so they can fit most boots easily.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
I don’t think I feel better or worse in either first or second life. I think it has just made me even more aware of identity issues.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Not at this point, no. I do think it is a reflection of real life issues though. I am really curious about the impact that total control over one’s body has on people with real life eating disorders since most experts agree that eating disorders are about control issues. I wonder if perhaps SL could serve as a tool for those with eating disorders.
Comment by Roslin Petion — April 25, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
I wouldn’t say I was offended, simply that this discussion is supposed to be about your shape and the rationale behind it, but a few comments seemed to be tiptoeing close to the line of criticizing others instead.
Comment by Ann Launay — April 25, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I fiddled arund for a bit and also bought a shape I liked-I now switch to my “own” shape if it doesn’t look too ridiculous depending on the clothes, because it actually….HAS a large butt…and system skirts SO don’t help. The other shape is “well formed” for SL standards.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
Both, because I tend to switch…both of them are as tall (or short) as I am, which is 1.62-and I sometimes feel terribly stupid among all those 2 metre people, and even worse, quite a lot of steps/stairs don’t work for me because they’re too high
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Nope. i withstood the peer pressure….I just couldn’t handle the fact that some of my fave clothes looked too ridiculous with my RL butt.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I already have.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
See above-it’s only Ms Real Life Butt if it doesn’t distort the clothes too much, which is a shame.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Not at all.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? probably, but only for those women who already ARE influenced by these things. For me it’s just a continuation of RL-I KNOW I’m too short and too fat!
Comment by Alyx Sands — April 25, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I played with the sliders until I found something I liked
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
I would say this is closest. When I started SL I didn’t realize how much it would feel like me in there. It feels safer that I look at her and it is not me. I like her though.
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes and no. Yes bc/ other av’s lookd more refined (i.e. people spend lots of time getting the details right) so I revised her once I understood the controls better and smoothed out some rough spots. Oh, and I made my legs shorter bc/ I realized they looked crazy.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I think “avatars of size” are fine, but I like my av in SL as much as I like my real (imperfect) self in RL. It is me now and I like it.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Some. Foot and hand size for sure
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Not at all.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
No. SL has a strong element of fantasy and that is fun. I also do not have perfect, thick hair in real life nor do I wear prim skirts, and no one feels guilty about doing these things in SL. Why focus only on body shape as a bad element of fantasy?
Comment by Nimue Jewell — April 25, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Oh, and I forgot- @Roslin: I’m a US size 18, too (20 UK) and am about your height, so I’ll happily join the movement for shorter more full bodied avatars!
Comment by Alyx Sands — April 25, 2007 @ 8:25 pm
Great topic to explore!
1. I spent the better part of 2 weeks behind a boulder in 1st day clothing, determined to sculpt my RL self as closely as possible, before I even spoke to anyone. I am finally at a point in my life where I accept and love my RL appearance, and I thought that to Barbie myself would be a betrayal. When I was finally satisfied, I didn’t know how to walk, much less fly. (But I’d gotten really good at camera controls
2. a/ An approximation of your RL body
3. no
4. no
5. Prim skirts look funny on me, belts worse. It was good, though, because I had to learn how to edit prims at an early age.
(Trendwatch: Analise is one designer I know of who is accommodating more variety in av size—she has silks with 2 size choices for prim midsection attachments–small and medium. (Although the medium is certainly not a large.) Wave of the future?)
6. My av makes me consider my RL appearance *in clothing* a lot more. It is more fun to get dressed now.
7. yes
HEIGHT–I think it is an issue, too. At 5′7″ RL, I am taller than the average. At 5′7″ SL, when I stand in an SL crowd, say, at a mobvend, I am dwarfed. (unless there are children or fairies around.)
(This page has height and weight averages by race, gender, and ethnic group, if you are interested:
http://www.halls.md/chart/height-weight.htm)
Oh, and the size 0 FEET thing? Puts me in mind of foot-binding. Why? Why? Why?
So far, I have been too lazy to try and resize my shoes, but this topic just may have lit a spark under me to edit all my footwear.
AGE: Does anyone make a skin that looks like it belongs to a healthy 42-year old? Just a few laugh lines would make me so happy.
Comment by Alphabet Qi — April 25, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Heightwise, I find that I end up thinking of SL inches as being slightly smaller than RL ones and proportion accordingly. Given that most objects are geared to the average avatar height, I try just to think of that as, say, 5′6″ and work from there. Thus if I could measure my SL hips they’d be bigger than my RL ones but probably in proportion to my SL height they’d work out much the same. Typical avatars don’t look tall in the way that they look proportionally thin, so I find that if I assume 50 is an average I can work with that a lot more easily than getting hung up on the Real Measurements and convincing myself I’m trapped in a land of giants. And when I do want to be trapped in a land of giants I put on my tiny cow avatar and gore people ineffectually in the ankle.
Comment by Miriam Woyseck — April 25, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
God, I *love* seeing a real-woman-size avatar in SL. That’s fabulous. And I now have a wicked crush on Dakota Buck.
Comment by Elvis Kaiser — April 25, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I had a body I liked but found that a lot of clothes and accessories wouldn’t fit - and it was easier to adjust the sliders….
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
e/Something else - it’s okay. I actually have 2 shapes. Flt-butt eremia for skirts and a more rounded version for the rest of the time.
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world? I got smaller in height and my boobs are smaller than a lot of female avs I see but that’s more an aesthetic thing.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av? I’d be happy to have a av the same shape and size as me. But part of the SL fantasy for me is that I can be slim, with no wrinkles and perfect hair.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed? Bah! Shoulda read all questions before answering….
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa? No. I know Eremia’s not real - one of the reasons she dresses so differently to me is because it is pretend and I can be as outrageous as I like.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? Hell yes!!
Comment by Eremia Woodbury — April 25, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I started out as a little noobie irritated with various lacks of features, which I now know to be the product of a lack of skin, but back then I tried my best to make my chin tiny, my tummy a healthy size and give myself some womanly curves. I ALSO slide the height slider all the way to 100 because I underestimated just how tall that was. I kept that shape for two or more months, until one day I realized that there were no good asian avatars to be found. I tried making a few, I made three in fact, and then fell in love with the one I had named Chizo.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
I’ve found most asian women (especially the biracial ones) in the city that I live in to be ridiculously perfectly proportioned, as well as being on the more delicate side of body types while still looking very healthy. I made my asian shapes to try and reflect that, so oddly enough my breasts and hips (and tummy and caboose) are bigger in RL than SL.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
I did feel a bit self conscious being 7′5, but it took me two months or more to change
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No, actually… my avatar is all about what I CAN’T be in RL. I’m big IRL, and literally always have been (I was a nine pound baby, and I’ve been 5′10 since I was 12). It’s fun to me to be more delicate and especially asian, since I idealize their features and find them to be sooo exotic… to all asian ladies out there,
Comment by Siyu Suen — April 25, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
I keep forgetting little hearts don’t work, lol! So to asian ladies, little heart, lol!
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I’ve realized recently that I gave myself an abnormally long torso, and it makes every skirt and belt I buy need to be adjusted. But other than that, every corset that bares a little of my waist looks absolutely dynamite!
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Looking at her perfect, flat tummy definitely encourages me to want to go and do some crunches, but mainly when I see her I just find her beautiful, and I feel like I’m making more beautiful things.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? I accidentally offended one of my friends, who teleported to me on my request, and when I saw her shape I called her hideous because I was afraid that she was playing her ideal shape, like I was. She had slid her tummy and her waist sliders all the way down to zero and looked like two sharks had taken a bite out of her. Of course she poofed and I quickly IM’ed her and told her that I was just sincerely worried about her and that if that was how she wanted to look IRL I wanted her to know that it was NOT pretty. Put simply, I think as long as people want to look healthy, whether it be delicate healthy or athletic healthy or hearty healthy, I’m happy to see their avi.
I love these talkbacks, Keep em coming!! YAAY SURVEYS!
Comment by Siyu Suen — April 25, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
1) How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I used the sliders to create something aesthetically pleasing.
2) Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
I admit it, it’s true!
3) Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes, I found that I was too tall, having set the height slider to 100 the first time I fiddled with my shape as a 1 day old.
4) If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I don’t know, I change her appearance depending on how I feel, what I’m wearing, what race I am, etc.
5) How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I have only changed my shape for clothing a couple of times.
6) Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Ironically we resemble each other in a way facially, but we also have the same over-all shape. I am shorter and a bit chubbier in RL.
7) Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
No, I don’t think its neccessarily unhealthy, but it is influenced by RL ideals of beauty a lot of the time. It’s just easier to look like a model in SL than it is in RL.
Comment by Kalia Meiklejohn — April 25, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
It’s actually freebie shape given to me in my early dasy by Alaska Metropolitan. It’s also available at the varous spots like the Free Dove. I’ve tweaked it a bit, here and there.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else
My avatar is the tall glamazon retro-classy reddish haired green eyed, semi-hussy.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
yes, if the clothing I like flattered the avatar.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
A lot, many of the tweaks I did were simply to make my avatar look good in certain clothing, ie system skirts. If Linden Labs ever gets around to fixing that, I’d add some junk in the trunk.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
My avatar doesn’t influence how I feel about my RL body, but how I feel about my RL body has influenced my avatar.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
No, because RL influences SL far more than SL influences RL.
I also have to mention that I’m transgendered in RL and that’s one of the reasons I have a female avatar. I think of her as being a bit of a “classy dame”.
Comment by CronoCloud Creeggan — April 25, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I created something I thought looked pretty good on the orientation island, but when I got out and was playing in my already overwhelming inventory, I was approached by a male avatar who basically told me that I was hideous, but in the nicest way he could. He asked me to tell him my numbers, and told me how to fidget them. I was so shocked at the time, that I wore that shape for a day or so, but I looked so out of proportion to myself, that I immediately changed myself, using his numbers as a base, I made my breasts smaller and more naturally shaped, and gave myself a little weight. I was still smaller than I had began, but I pretty much have the same shape today.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else
I think I ended up with c. I feel beautiful in my avatar, but realistically so. She’s definatly smaller than me, but she’s reasonable.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
see answer to 1.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I had never really thought about it, due to I never see any larger avatars, except for the occasional tiny woman with a *HUGE* bottom. Not a very attractive look to me, but to each her own. I think, now that it has actually occured to me, I would prefer a larger avatar. The female body should definately be celebrated realistically.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I would rather tinker with clothing prims than change my shape for anything.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
No, I’m a pretty average sized woman RL, and not terribly secure about my RL weight, but SL has little to do with that. *laugh*
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I think living in a world of tiny tiny women can’t possibly be good for the ego… but in SL you can be *anything* so… *shrug* not really.
Comment by Dolores Myriam — April 25, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
The creation of Dakota is something I’ve put a lot of thought into and she has definitely evolved a lot since I joined the SL community in June last year. I was aiming for something pinupy and proportional with influences from my RL body and face.
I think I’m one of the few people who’s avatar is actually shorter than them in RL. In RL I’m 6′2″, yes really. And leggy. My avie is an inch or two shorter because some people *cough*Haver Cole*endcough* lovingly picked on me for being an amazon. Hehe.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
I guess both b and c apply. I really feel that in SL where everyone can be “perfect”, your avatar’s imperfections are what makes them beautiful. In RL, beauty is usually something striking, something that makes you want to look and look again. If everyone were to look the same where is the beauty?
3. Did you change your initial size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Yes, but over time as I’ve become more and more comfortable with myself in SL that my avatar has changed… although I never had my belly set on 0, because a little rounded belly is beautiful and womanly.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I have a separate shape to wear with system skirts. I love a good pencil skirt so I have a preset version of my shape that makes me just look that same as my normal avi (or close enough) when I wear the system skirt. The biggest problem with a larger shape - poses and aos. I spend a lot of time with my limbs through my stomach.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Yes, I’m in the process of shedding a few extra kilos in RL so Dakota is kind of inspiring as I’m bigger than her in RL. I do have an avatar version of my rl self that I’m considering using for a new photo set.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
I think I find, less that they affect me in RL but that thin avis sometimes upset me compared to my own avatar. I know it’s silly when I can look however I want in SL but I do sometimes worry that I’m being judged on my avatar’s weight. I know that I can’t pursue an SL modelling career due to my shape so I focus on making Dakota look more like an artist. A thinker who can’t be arsed going to the gym and munching virtual celery sticks.
Comment by 'Kota Buck — April 26, 2007 @ 12:59 am
Oh, PS: I tried out the scales with Roslin Petion and Stephanie Misfit and after a lot of experimenting we found that they seem to just measure the height and give a standard weight for that height.
Comment by 'Kota Buck — April 26, 2007 @ 1:04 am
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I’m still working on it, but I just play with the various sliders. I just found out that my av’s BMI is 25.2. It’s 6′7″ and 220 pounds.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
Well, I guess it’s d. I don’t like my personal information getting out online, so I decided pretty much a week in that my avatar would be nothing like me in RL. I’m very short in real life, so the height is kind of like living my fantasy of being able to reach stuff on the top shelf. At this point, I’m trying to create a body and face that is pleasing to look at, fits most of the clothes in SL and communicates a kind of haute couture look.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
I did initially. I started out with a realistic shape, and then skinnied it up quite a bit. Now, I’m getting used to the thin, haute couture, Paris/Milan sort of look on my avatar, so I’m probably going to stick with that because I like it rather than because it’s what most people do.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
I’m not sure. I would definitely make my avatar larger, but I think I’d still try to make my avatar look like she stepped out of “Vogue.”
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Huge effect. I think of my avatar as a mannequin for all the neat fashions out there. I spend about 90% of my time on SL either decorating my virtual residence or dressing my avatar. It’s like playing Barbies for grown-ups…without the strange looks. So, if SL clothing looked better on larger avatars, I’d probably make mine larger.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Sometimes, I have to admit, the same way playing with Barbies made me feel bad about myself when I was a kid. Ultimately, I have control of the slider, so if I feel uncomfortable I can just ratchet up the body fat.
7. Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Considering a lot of the avatars are men in real life, yeah I think SL is rife with unrealistic, and ultimately unhealthy body images. Men don’t know what women’s bodies are like. They look at a size 10 woman who they find attractive and they see Dita Von Teese or Pamela Anderson. So, I think the avatars relflect that disconnect. Wherever you have men creating images of women, you’re going to wind up with more fantasy than reality, and I don’t think women can help but be influenced by those images to some extent. If women thought anorexic avatars were undesireable in some kind of real life sense, I don’t think they’d have them in Second Life.
Comment by raychel — April 26, 2007 @ 1:08 am
1. I made my own shape (and never realized people bought theirs until much later in the game).
2.I’m not that thin in RL, I’m about 15 pounds away from being average for my height. She does have my colouring and the proportions I fashioned after my body and face then I made her thinner and gave her longer legs (and a behind woe to my flat ass).
3. I did make my shoulders a bit thinner since everyone is so dainty, my avatar is about 6′9, 220 pounds with shoes on.
4. I’m not sure, I kind of like having the perfect bodied avatar.
5. It’s a little annoying when I have to resize prim items because they’re too small. I finally gave in and made my head slightly smaller, but that’s it, the body I’ve left alone.
6. Well I do get avatar envy, but I have a realistic expectations, no legs will never be that long and boobs don’t work that way in RL unless they’re fake.
7. I think so yes, but like with mainstream media, people need to realize what is realistic/ possible and what isn’t.
Comment by Sybella Sodwind — April 26, 2007 @ 1:43 am
Ida needs to lose about 4 more inches. I’ve been shrinking her gradually since I discovered the “tell your height” things. A slider mark or two at a time - I don’t want anyone to notice.
After she gets to the right height, she may need to gain a little weight. But I will cross that bridge when I get there.
I attempted to make her look like me from the beginning and based her original height on my darling husbands AV. Except for the size 0 feet thing, I haven’t changed her for fashion’s sake. My hair doesn’t do that in real life (I know you are all shocked).
Although I enjoy/appreciate/respect seeing “real people shaped” avatars out and about, it doesn’t especially bother me that curvaceous seven foot tall women populate SL. After all, I wear a gorilla suit occasionally. I am *fairly* certain that hasn’t affected my body image one way or the other. Change at the drop of a hat..er…folder is part of the Magic of Second Life.
Comment by Ida — April 26, 2007 @ 5:33 am
1. My AV is self-made using sliders…
2. …and is a perfect & unique me.
3. I changed my shape because what is a “normal” height looks too small in SL compared to everyone else AND, if you look at furniture/door ways/etc., we need to be overly tall to fit them. Oh, and I also tweaked my shape to look OK in photos!
4. Mosly larger AVs would definitely cause me to change, especially my feet!! If designers would PLEASE design for foot size 20, we’d have MUCH nicer looking ankles!! NO ONE has size 0 feet IRL!
5. Clothing/other items affect me very little–if it doesn’t look good on my AV, it’s often poorly designed and I probably won’t wear it.
6. My AV’s shape/size don’t really influence my RL feelings. My BF & I are hot in SL, average-overweight in RL.
7. Female movie stars & personalities are often way too thin. Their photos in mags look awful, IMO–look like lollipops, w/ huge heads, tiny bodies. Many people’s tastes/fantasies seem to run toward overly thin bodies (albeit w/ HUGE twins in SL!). Since SL is all about fantasy, it’s not surprising most of our AVs look that way, too. Hmm. Maybe the big boobs are a counter to that…! You can have bigger boobs without looking fat, but try and make your butt or hips bigger, and whoa! Instant cow! My ass is already too big in RL. Why would I want to look that way in SL?
Comment by Caldora Beaumont — April 26, 2007 @ 6:48 am
1. How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I play around with it every month or so, but usually come back to the same look. Slightly chubby, sagging a bit. Usually I just wear comfy jeans and T shirts like I do in RL.
2. Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
As a RL grandma, it took me awhile to find nice grey hair (now using Robin Wood’s), and I definitely don’t like the Barbie look.
3. Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
Not much.
4. If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Yes, probably.
5. How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
For one formal occasion I had to shrink my body down to fit in the dress.
6. Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
A bit — I think my avatar is me when I’m active and my arthritis isn’t flaring up.
7. Do you think the prevalence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Yes. I wonder also how this whole issue is playing out on the Teen grid.
I think I’m going to try some Tinie avatars and see what that feels like. I can definitely be more like the cuddly grandma that I am if I’m a bunny.
Comment by Belle Shepherd — April 26, 2007 @ 8:19 am
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
Through time, and I still adjust it slightly for outfits etc. if the outfit is worth it.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL. *yes*
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No, irl I have always had issues with my weight and so on sl my ava is a way to be who I feel I am inside; So to speak.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
No, I am no waif in sl but I definately like my ava to reflect my inner self.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
Quite a bit. When I first started in sl, to make money I became a “dancer” lol. I would go to buy prim silks and noticed I must be VERY small because I’d be just swimming in them. I always hated that because I felt like an amazon woman making my self taller and bigger. I like being tiny.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Yes, and… yes. I would LOVE to be the size my ava is in real life. I have customised her to the point where she looks very much like my “perfect self”, skin, clothes and all. I do however try to make her face look as much like my rl face as possible, it’s one of the aspects of my real self I am happy with.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
Yes. I will admit that. When I first started in sl the very first thing I did was make my ava as skinny as possible without the knees and arms looking deformed. It kinda depressed me that I could do that on a game and not irl! lol. (If only, oh if only I could pan out of my real self and edit my appearance!) That goes away though as you get used to sl. But yeah that innitial capability is a little… Addictive I suppose.
This was awesome! I hope you make more little quizzes like this, they are good fun.
~ P. Doboy ~
Comment by P.Doboy — April 26, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
I like these reactions. I was one of the first to react and I was afraid I had been too open about my RL body (issues). But I see many other girls have done that too. Kudos!
Comment by White Hyacinth — April 26, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
1. My husband was in SL first. I decided to just be a little younger version (30s) of me by watching over his shoulder whenever he wanted to show me something.
2. a. He found a height gauge on one of the orientation islands. So it was easy to set myself at 5’9”. I tweaked my proportions for narrow shoulders, C/D cup, long legs, a bit of a tummy. I seek out hairstyles I wear/have worn. Explored the blonde I was at age 4 and went back to the reddish blonde to reddish brown range I have been naturally the rest of my life. I do feel rather short, but it doesn’t bother me.
3. No
4. n/a
5. None, I look pretty good in most things, occasionally things look a little funny with my narrow shoulders. I just changed my AO, which eliminated the exaggerated hip thrust stance – it made both my stomach and hips look bigger than RL. A few of the bloggers are so thin, that I can’t tell what the clothing would look on someone with a slender build, much less a larger AV.
6. Nope
7. This is make believe. Playing make believe princesses as children didn’t warp us then. If SL skinny affects anyone in this way, they probably have a low self esteem (almost all of us have areas where that could use a little boosting). I hope they don’t feel they would have SL friends if they weren’t skinny. One of the most popular girls in High School was probably a size 24-26. Since we can only communicate though our computers, even more than in RL friendship in SL should be based upon personality and mutual interests.
I know some men who started out at their RL height. After several comments “does she realize she’s over 7’ tall with those shoes?” the slider was moved to taller in an effort to keep themselves proportional to the women that frequented the same places they hung out. I also know a woman who is true to her 6’ RL self and feels strange being average.
Too bad Linden Labs started didn’t start newbie’s out at average female, male height and build when they developed SL.
Thanks for the scale; I’ll go check it out. See how I did on my weight guesstimate.
Comment by Casandra Shilova — April 26, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
I tried the scale, and I noticed the same thing that Dakota Buck did: I was the same weight at a particular height with the body fat and belly sliders at 0 as I was with the sliders at 100. That can’t be right, hehe.
Comment by Candy Flanagan — April 26, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
“I tried the scale, and I noticed the same thing that Dakota Buck did: I was the same weight at a particular height with the body fat and belly sliders at 0 as I was with the sliders at 100. That can’t be right, hehe.”
Unfortunately (or fortunately) there’s no way to get any information about AV slider settings through script… for that matter even the ‘height’ detector only returns size of egg-like shape that’s used by SL server to determine collisions with objects and such, and can be quite off from actual AV height.
Comment by Joannah Cramer — April 26, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
I love all the comments, especially those of Siyu Suen. If anyone ever encounters a good MODIFIABLE asian shape, I’d love to try and tweek it to fit myself.
I sporadically shop for shapes and skins, but I never find anything that suits me more than what I have now, which is my own original (tweeked 1000 times) shape and the freebie “Sharn Medium” skin. I’d love to know who made this skin, but the creator field is blank. I adore the integrated tatoos… I mean really… tattoos SHOULD be permanent, not something you put on as underclothing. Every time I try on a new skin I always go back to it.
Anybody know of any vendors with tatooed skins?
- Xia
Comment by Xia Nishi — April 26, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
Crap. I am SO bummed about the damn scale. I really wanted it to be accuate so I actually had a metric for trying to judge my size.
Comment by Sabrina Doolittle — April 27, 2007 @ 12:46 am
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape?
I originally made an avatar close to myself, but realised that if I did that I would be rather tiny by SL standards (I am 5′5″ and 44 kg, which is less than 100 lbs). Since I was aspiring to be a model, I “padded” her a little bust-wise, and made her legs slightly longer than would be proportionate, to show off flexi gowns better. So in reality my avatar is quite bigger than I am, both in height, weight and bust size.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else
D. For one thing, I’m half-Asian in heritage, and for another I’m slighter, more slender and shorter than my avatar. Plus I believe I have a signature look that’s different from many “clone” avatars out there.
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world?
No, I mostly wanted my own unique individual look.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av?
Not really. I don’t eat much or weigh much rl, so I’d feel kind of uncomfortable with a large av.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed?
I love clothing, and I think the look you choose determines much of your avatar appearance. However, I have different shapes and skins for each “look” - gothy, sweet, sultry, seductive, etc. as well as other ethnicities.
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa?
Somewhat. I do wish I had her features and her long legs
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models?
No, I believe the avatar expresses our innate desires in terms of beauty, self-expression and appearance. But I believe that the real world standards are being grossly distorted at either end of the spectrum by unhealthy modern-day eating habits, fast food, the daily bombardment of food-related ads on American television, the obesity epidemic, and on the other hand the glamourisation of tiny-sized models in the fashion industry. It’s an unhappy state of affairs, and something has to be done about orienting people away from the fast solution to a medium in which people can be satisfied with their own body image and still be fit and healthy.
Comment by Caliah Lyon — April 27, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
172 cm 59kg BMI:20
1. I started out just playing with the sliders during a very laggy session and came up with something freakishly unlike myself. So I went out and found a box full of free shapes, spent a long afternoon in the sandbox analyzing them until I understood the appearance controls, then I tweaked one of the freebies into something I liked.
2. My AV is close to me about 20 years ago. The size and proportions are about right, but I left off the weight that has accumulated by magic over all those years.
3. The thing I’ve noticed most about other AVs is how tall they are. I made mine 5′8″ like myself and other women seem to tower over me. However, in RL I consider myself on the tall side.
4. I’ve thought about creating a ‘me now’ shape, but I’d really rather make the RL me look more like my AV!
5. I did make a few adjustments based on the way things fit, but those were mostly to the head. I’ve since learned how to stretch my wigs to fit, so given it to do over again I probably wouldn’t.
6. Excuse me, I think I’ll go in the corner, eat a box of Twinkies and cry for a little while
7. I would rather see women with thin AVs in SL than see them starve themselves in RL. Get it out of your system here, then go have a nice healthy dinner and treat yourself to desert!
Comment by Glainfach Jewell — April 28, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
I feel like the belly slider isn’t right. It seems to ad weight fairly even arc from chest to the pelvus.
I would prefer to have a little stomach like I do in RL with a poof around the belly button but still skinny at the ribcage. But that lit’ belly shape is impossible to get with the sliders. It’s either all or none.
Comment by Fiona Cork — April 28, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
(this is a little late so sorry)
My avis appereance is kind of a opsite to my RL to a certian extent, She super skinney and im fairly slim in RL but hieght is my main issue.
i love being able to be SUPER tall in SL somthing nice about towering over everyone
Comment by Marnie Grut — April 29, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
This is a little late, but I found this post interesting and want to add my 2L.
How did you arrive at your current avatar size and shape? My avatar would stick out even if I’d gone for a more slender body type. So I figured it wouldn’t do any harm to make her shorter and chunkier than the usual as well.
Do you consider your av’s body size and shape to be:
a/ An approximation of your RL body
b/ A “perfect” body you’d like to have in RL
c/ A realistic counter-balance to the horde of too-skinny SL avatars
d/ Something that uniquely represents you in SL
e/Something else A combination of b,c, and d. It’s a body I’d like to have but at the same time isn’t an unrealistic goal to me, it’s quite a bit bigger than most female avs I’ve seen, and it’s something I think represents me because I find unconventional beauty intriguing and appealing. No avatar in SL looks even close to mine, and I like that.
Did you change your inital size and shape based on other people’s appearances in-world? Nope. I chose what looked good to me. Most of the avatars I initially encountered looked cheesy and awful, anyway.
If there were more female avatars of size, and it was more normal in SL, would you prefer to have a larger av? It would make no difference to me, personally. I choose my av based on what I want, regardless of what the average is.
How much of an effect does the appearance of clothing and other items have on the shape you developed? A couple prim skirts have been too small (pieces of my av’s butt stick through, to comical effect) but other than that I’ve had no issues or any pressure to modify my shape to “fit” clothes better. (I just don’t wear any of those bustle-shaped system skirts, because I don’t think they flatter anyone’s figure, period.)
Does your avatar’s size and shape influence how you feel about your RL body or vice versa? In RL I’m built like a Crumb girl, and my avatar reflects that to an extent. I’d feel a little weird giving myself a skinny av even though I’m not nearly as personally attached to my avatar as a lot of people on SL are.
Do you think the prevelence of thin female avatars in SL has an unhealthy influence on our perceptions of our real life bodies, ala accusations made about mainstream fashion magazines and models? It doesn’t affect my perceptions personally, but I do see it as a reflection of an unhealthy and generally unrealistic standard. I think a lot of people are choosing the “bowling balls balanced on toothpicks” figure because it’s not attainable in reality for them, but they still feel it’s the kind of body women are supposed to have.
Comment by Ulbandi Rang — April 30, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Xia, if you ever do find out who made the “Sharn medium skin”, do let me know. Like you, I keep going back to it. Not so much for the tattoos, but just because with this skin I look and feel more like me than in any other skin I got (purchased or other). I’d love to have one made without the tattoos, as I don’t have those in real life and that is what I am after with my avatar: make her look like me. Now except for the tattoos and the fact that I am about a head or two taller in SL, I have managed to get quite far using the sliders a zillion times at least.
Comment by Arabella — May 16, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
I’ve only been in world for a month now, and I finally realized how skinny I looked when I found a click tool in a dress shop somewhere that told me my height and weight - 6′2″ and 120 pounds. I thought I looked good because I was measuring myself against everyone else.
So, I widened my hips, beefed up my thighs, lowered my boobs, got shorter, and tossed a boatload of stuff from my inventory that no longer fit. I came across a heavy woman shortly after that - I mean, very overweight, and it was funny how her presence lent more reality to the scene, like she was a ‘real’ person. We chatted a bit about things in general and it was the most pleasant interpersonal experience I’ve had so far.
So, I’m happier with my body, but now I’m looking for a middle aged skin. If everyone in world is uber-skinny and tall, and they are also 20-something or younger and beautiful. It’s hard to get the effect with the sliders, so I’m working on making my own skin that more reflects the grandmother I am in RL. I realize part of the draw of SL is living the fantasy, but since my fantasies haven’t been about appearance since I was quite young, I think I’d enjoy it more if it were “me” pursuing the fantasies I’ve had in RL - ballooning, sky diving, skateboarding, etc. Yeah, I totally get a kick out of that stuff
Comment by Fidella — November 22, 2007 @ 3:09 am
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