But that theory is beginning to wobble, with female CEOs like Marissa Mayer of the US division of Yahoo, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, and of course, the woman married to the most powerful man in the world, Michelle Obama, become famous for getting their guns out. These three women are most often pictured with bare arms – the muscular structure of which would make an athlete proud.
It’s a new arms race. With toned, trim arms a goal many women find very difficult to reach (and with good reason!), those that do get to show off upper arms are also exhibiting all of their hard work, by wearing sleeveless dresses. Beautiful ones at that.
So why the change? In today’s tough world where women are keeping up with the boys, this is a brand new way to, er, flex muscle, if you don’t mind the double entendre. Think of baring arms as the new shoulder pad. A way to make a name as a leader, showing that you’re strong enough to carry whatever it may be that comes with the job.
Madonna, the ultimate muscle-bound female warrior, has long known that her toned physique is intimidating, but to anyone who’s closely watched her career (that would be me) it looks like a very intentional message, that really works. Everyone knows you don’t mess with Madonna, right? She’ll chew you up and spit you out faster than a non-organic piece of meat.
Same with Michelle Obama. It was apparent from the moment President Obama was sworn in that she was no ordinary First Lady. She wasn’t about to disappear into the background, or host afternoon tea like Laura Bush, nor was she about to give up a right to have a voice in his presidential tenure – word is she had a hard enough time dealing with giving up her job. Her arms on show gave the immediate impression of a woman completely in control.
This trend is reflected with the newer cuts of dress styles that are made with a toned arm in mind. Fitted on the upper body, the arms are the feature on what is a still a very feminine dress. It’s the perfect juxtaposition: pretty frock with strong arms equals Girlpower.
None of which is to say that if you don’t have upper arms to boast about, that you are perceived as weak. If you’re not sporting the guns of Zena Warrior Princess, take heart, there’s always the blazer option, which, you’ll be relieved to know, does still work.
Peter Pilotto, $2194, netaporter.com
Philosophy, $595, netaporter.com
Witchery, $169.95 witchery.com.au
Do you rock the arm power dress? Tell us in the comments below!
