Letters to the Editor
-
Size-mology
I think the change in sizes actually occured in and around the 1980's, so Jessica and Elizabeth could have very well been a perfect size six by today's standards. Which would be reasonable; if I remember correctly they were pretty tall. And highlighting their change in size on a PRESS RELEASE is gross. Why not highlight thier increased drug use, smoking, unprotected sex and resultant STD's? That would be a more accurate attempt to modernize the teenage girl.
-
'It's frustrating, not to mention gross, that Random House actually touted this change in its P.R. material'
Press releases are an art form, and they try to generate buzz. Or, in other words, they 'touted' that so bloggers would publicize their product on their blogs.
So ... job done.
-
Say it ain't so!
OK - so I read an embarrassing amount of these, I'm sure to the chagrin and horror of my hippie parents. After encouraging reading and free thought, they couldn't really tell me NOT to read the the series. But parents, take heart...I still turned out OK anyway.
But man, modernization sucks. The "perfect size 6" was a key part of the SVH story. As you were settling in for the nice 1, maybe 2 hour read (I used to zip through 3 or 4 books over a weekend) - it set the scene, a comforting, ever-present reminder of the twins perfection. Forget the social implications of the size change, it's just not the same with any other number. And a Jeep? Equal to a Fiat? Girls today don't want convertibles?
Please tell me the SVH twins haven't ditched their gold lavalieres, received on their sweet 16th birthday of course, for studded black dog collars?
-
More upset about the jeep
The gas-guzzling car is more of a problem than their size, IMO. Why couldn't they drive a Prius? I mean... they are California yuppie-spawn!
-
I read them too
And I so very clearly remember the moment when I first read that "perfect size 6" description. I was 7 or 8, and I was like "huh?".
I think the main excuse for this change is probably vanity sizing. A 1980s size 6 is like a 0-2 today. So they are actually probably being a little generous.
Nevertheless, what a pointless description. Nothing says "conforming to society's standards of female perfection" better than a description of a girl by her clothing size.
-
No, you didn't miss anything if you didn't read SVH
Well, this is kind of a silly thing to know, but yes, I think it's common knowledge that sizes have been scaled up over the past decades. I buy lots of vintage clothing, and a size 10 from the 50's or 60's is easily what would be a size 6 these days. I can easily believe that since the 80's the sizes have gone up at least a notch (an 80's 12 being a 2000's 10). Things change, for whatever reason.
However, I think it's totally tacky for a series of books aimed at tweens to mention exactly what "perfect" size its heroines wear. Since the SVH twins are perfect anyway, I think readers will take it as a given that they are skinny, toned and have perky c-cup breasts. It was tacky in 1985 and it's still tacky now. Oh, and it certainly won't help with girls' body images. Nice to know nothing's changed in 20 years.
-
why always a weight issue...
It's already been proven that being anorexic is off the mainstream menu.
Losing weight doesn't make anyone happier...its like buying something you really want...you use it or wear it a couple of times...and it gets boring.
Take it from me...it won't solve your problems...it doesn't get you the guy, it won't get you the job...and it doesn't cure depression.
Full-bodied women are sexier then twiggy.
-
SAVE THE FIAT!!
Screw their sizes, I'm pissed they've gotten rid of such a cool, classic car and replaced it w/ a Jeep, which doesn't even make the great old Cherokee.
BAD CALL!!!
-
OHMIGOD! Sweet Valley High!
ohmigod, like, Sweet Valley High was totally awesome! ! like, jessica was such a bad ass sometimes. elizabeth was a total dork, though. i mean, c'mon, she was like soooo boring and her boyfriend blew chunks! But Jessica was hella cool, though!
Sorry, it brings me back. I didn't read a lot of the novels (mostly because I wasn't going to spend my hard earned allowance on a book that I could read in an hour and that I didn't really care to read over and over again) but I did check them out of the library. I don't remember a lot of sex or drugs though. I do remember when Jessica dyed her hair black. I still have that one in storage somewhere.
As for the perfect size 6 comments...look I was chubby middle schooler. It didn't phase me the twins were a perfect size 6 or white and blonde for that matter. ( Were there any black people in SVH? Or fat people? I remember Enid was chubby... wasn't there an Enid? but then she lost a lot of weight and got hot. Or maybe I'm thinking about something else. She wore glasses though and had hazel eyes with gold flecks. Or something.)
But I guess I didn't take it personal and start vomiting (6 years of ballet class being the fattest girl was more demoralizing) because like Beverly Hills 90201 and most teen shows I watched during that era , people who looked like me were reserved for A very Special Episode. I could never be Jessica or Elizabeth and wouldn't want to be them if I could.
There was something really wholesome though about SVH, which I liked and still like. I'm pretty sure they will ruin the books and turn them into some gossip girl clone, which I find sad. Granted, the heavy-handed messages of the 80s were a little annoying, but at least all of the characters had moral compasses.
-
FWIW
An 80s size 6 IS a modern size 4. Every ten years or so the fashion industry seems to resize things, so women feel like they're smaller even if they aren't.
In high school in the late 70s I wore a size 7/8. Now, 30 years and about 20 pounds later I wear a size 4. I can remember my mom buying me a size 12 blouse and wondering why she got me something so huge - but at the time she didn't realize sizes had changed since the 50s/60s, when a size 12 fit a 32 or 34" bust.
Men have it so much easier. You know your waist size, know your inseam, and you can buy a pair of pants in minutes. I would love for women's clothes to be sized the same way, but that will never happen.