Christina Hendricks on Embracing (and Dressing) Her Curves
Here’s a great interview from Marie Claire Magazine featuring Mad Men’s curvy girl Christina Hendricks – she shares her love for curves and tips on how to flaunt it!
As is often the case with celebrities, Christina Hendricks looks a lot smaller in person than she does on TV. Sans the bouffant hairdo, long-line-waist bra, girdle, stockings, and slip she dons as the smoldering Joan Holloway on Mad Men, it’s natural that she’d shrink a little. And yet, even off-duty, Hendricks is very much a womanly woman. “I can’t just throw on a backless dress or flimsy top with spaghetti straps,” the 34-year-old declares. “I need a bra!” As for that fiery red hair? “I’ve been dyeing it since I was about 10″ — a result of an obsession with the Canadian TV series based on the Anne of Green Gables books. Here, she shares her tips for dressing a Hollywood figure that’s more Monroe than Moss.
MC: Are you cool with people making such a fuss about your figure?
CH: In the beginning, it was odd to have so much attention brought to my body type. I thought, “Uh-oh, brace yourself.” But everyone has been so positive. During the first season, a woman came up to me at dinner and said, “I just want to thank you — watching you has made me proud of my body.” I thought, What an amazing thing for someone to say! To make anyone feel good about themselves makes me feel good.
MC: How has playing Joan Holloway affected your sense of style?
CH: I’m definitely learning from Joan. My personal style is very romantic. I’m drawn to things that have a feminine flair, whether it’s a ruffle or an embellishment. Joan is much more streamlined, so I’m learning how that works on my figure. I’m a fan of the pencil skirt now. I used to think they were so conservative, but then I realized if you wear one that’s tight enough, it’s really sexy.
MC: What is your mantra for dressing?
CH: Highlight the things you like. I like my small waist, so whenever I wear a dress or blouse, I always make sure you can see my waistline. It gives me more of an hourglass shape.
MC: What would you say to women who want to minimize their curves?
CH: Instead of trying to downplay your curves, find a designer or style that glorifies them. There are designers who simply don’t design for people with shape and there are those — like L’Wren Scott or Roland Mouret — who do exactly that. Once you find what looks best on you, stick with it.
Share your thoughts!
I am also UBER curvy (thank god I still have tiny waist: 43-25-43) but it sometimes makes me feel abnormal: most of the girls are either pin-thin, either have apple-shaped body types. I’m curvy, and deep inside I feel like I am very beautiful, well-proportioned, BUT…. Everybody is staring at me all the time and I feel like a freak! Thanks to Christina, I don’t feel THAT abnormal….. :] (P.S. I’m also a redhead) And I agree that you should embrace yourself as you are… I feel sorry for Victoria Beckham….
woah, Those are SOME measurements girl!
She is so beautiful
Whoa indeed. Don’t feel weird, they don’t look because they critisize, they look because it’s amazing and rare.
I once saw a girl like you, and I couldn’t stop staring either. Her ass was big but perfectly round-shaped and she was wearing these tight pants with baggy pockets right on them. I’m straight, but god DAMN!
Anyways, I’m naturally an extreme pear – 34/24/39 but I exercise to keep that arse in check otherwise I look too disproportionate and even with hourglassy measurements, 34/24/35 I’m still obviously pear-shaped … I envy your hourglass physique!
Holy crap girl!!! Your bod sounds HOT!!! So jealous!! I’m currently at 40-27-40 and I’m trying to get my waist to 26 but I just dont know if that will ever happen!! Any tips on how you get your waist so itty bitty?!
But I agree – this may sound cheesy – but CHristina Hendricks really did help me embrace my curves and stop comparing myself to my pin-thin roommates (they are very beautiful as well, its just nice to see someone more around my size
). It’s wonderful!!!
And she definitely makes me want to dye my hair red! haha
Like everyone else has said, wow! I thought I was extreme at 36-24-36.
You must have one hell of a time finding clothes that fit. I do because I refuse to get anything tailored. Why should I have to pay more because of my body type? Luckily a few places do carry clothes that fit me. I doubt you have that luxury!
I agree with the others – you sound hot! Everyone is staring because you look hot!
You know what I’ve found that is one of the worse things about being an hourglass – tops and dresses ride up. I’ve resorted to tucking my tops into my underwear some times. ahahahaha
And yes Christina made me feel better about myself as well.
I’m not a fan of what she’s wearing in the photo though. But her waist looks amazing and she is still so beautiful to me.
Wow, I don’t think the word ‘curvy’ is enough to describe those measurements!
People stare because those aren’t proportions that you see everyday. I’m sure the women are admiring you and the men are attracted to you. Lucky you!
no way! they are staring because you are HOT! that is amazing! flaunt it! lucky you! my measurements are 36-23-36 and i though i was majorly curvy! you sound like you have wonderful measurements! my torso is very long and my legs quite short so i dont look as curvy as i am…my sister (when she weighed less) and had the same measurements of me looked WAY curvier because she had a shorter torso so the curve in the waist was more ‘compact’ i guess…that always made me so jealous cuz she looked bombshell! i bet you do too! ppl dont stare unless they find something attractive =o)…or a complete and utter trainwreck, like say…a prostitute or someone with crazy hair, too much makeup and lots of tan (i.e. christina aguilera)- sorry if anyone likes her (tho actually she does have a great curvy figure when she is a bit bigger)…so i would def say 100% -women are jealous and men think its HOT! FLAUNT IT!
Samba, you’ve just repeated what i originally said! I said that ppl don’t see measurements like that everyday and they find it attractive; aka hot!!!!
Monique, believe me, men in their early 20s are definitely attracted to your figure! They’re probably just shy in approaching you, whereas older men have more confidence to admire you.
Somehow I don’t feel like men at my age are attracted to my body – I’m only 20!!!! :/ But older men do like it, but I don’t! hahaha… :/
yea i know what you mean…but meh! who wants a 20 year old boy! lol! i prefer them around 30ish…i am 22 =o) i also have a ‘curvy’ figure (not as much as you) and also attracted older guys…i aint complaining ;o)
that is very beautiful, don’t feel abnormal you’re a woman! I have similar measurements, (40-24-40) and I think its nice to embrace it and look different to a stick!
she makes me want to be curvier…well bigger boobs..haha
Simply gorgeous
she is sooo stunning!
I’ve only just started watching mad men and I’m blown away everytime she’s on the screen.
amazing figure and amazing face!
I’m probably biased as I totally love the vintage styling on that programme.
Like my friend said, she’s a real life Jessica Rabbit. Just so stunning it almost hurts.
What shape am I ??? I am 5.7″ and 128 pounds. My measurments are 35-26-30. I think I may have a figure closest to britany spears. I gain some what all over. I am pretty much toned all over ie arms and legs and have a high but not wide butt. My stomach is rather flat but not like a washboard. It’s really hard for me to get a flat stomach. I have to work extra hard. So what shape am? How should I dress HELP ME.
You are thin and by what you said, you have really small hips and probably thin legs. I think you sound like an apple shape. You should wear skinny jeans.
I answered you in the Kimberley Walsh post!
wow! she.is.so.se-xy!!! look at her! right! im dying my hair that colour again
She has a very interesting face. It’s hard to describe, but it’s like the kind of face that makes you want to keep looking at it.
She is gorgeous. Pretty face, stylish hair cut/colour and beautiful curves.
such a pretty face!
How tall is she? I’m 5′11 nearly 6″. I lost alot of weight and I’m a pear my boobs are pretty non existant but I have a pretty small waist. Which I hate a figure like her!
She’s 5′7” or 5′8”.
my measurements are 34-23-35 i’m 5′6 and a half and i’m 112 pounds. Am I hourglass or ruler? I never know =\
Vase: Medium / large breasts, gently curving waist, breasts and hips equal in size, slim thighs and legs.
now that everyone is wondering about their measurements, how about mine…I am 5′6 35-26-38, my shoulders are pretty much the same broadness as my hips and i accumulate most of my fat in my butt and hips lol, whereas my thighs and calves are pretty thin. Am I pear because I dont feel like the classic pear shape but my measurements are not like an hourglass neither?!
It depends on your bone structure and weight distribution. Usually, hourglasses have a bust-waist ratio of 0.7 or even lower – yours is above that so I think you might be a vase or a pear.
holy crap. you are so lucky. i’m 30-23-35!!! OY. I am SUCH a pear! I wish I had an hourglass shape…
they are gorgeous measurements b, i’m probaly a lot younger than you so i hope i grow into measuremnets like yours, i’m 18 and have 28-22-30 i keep waiting for some curves, you go pear!
vianne, if you don’t mind me asking, where do you find bras? My bust is 28 and I can’t find a place that carries that band size :/
The website http://www.figleaves.com do a great range of sizes and ship worldwide (and really mean it, I’ve had things shipped to Australia and know people who’ve had things shipped to India).
lol yes it can be tricky but i usually can find one that fits at myer (i live in Australia don’t know if myer is overseas) and some lingerie shops in melbourne seem to stock very tiny sizes that cater for the large asian population we have down here, otherwise if its just for everyday wear those clingy sporty types (with no underwire) are good in a small size they tend to cling to the body, hope that helps
I agree with Vianne, your measurements sound nice and curvy!
Aw, thank you. I’m 24.
i don’t find her waist tiny, but she has good proportions, so she can carry her weight. i like that she is a role model for embracing your figure and i simply love her delicate facial features and that red mane!
I tend to consider myself an hourglass although I’m probably a vase according to Trinny and Susannah’s methods. I’m rather larger than most of you, and have a long torso, at 43-32-42 (although I do like corsets and can lace to 27″).
I’d always been under the impression that an hourglass was someone whose waist was 0.75 of their bust or hip measurements and their bust and hips were the same size to within 1″ (or so).
To all of you with tiny waists and great curves: sod anyone who says you don’t look fabulous. If you have confidence, you will look gorgeous regardless! (That goes for everyone of any shape or size too.)
Christina is my biggest celebrity girl-crush.