Glamour grammar
By Miglena Sandmeier
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- Recently, the only two places I seem to catch up on my fashion reads are at my doctor's office and at my hairdresser. Come to think of it, these are probably the only people I'd bother waiting hours for after the scheduled appointment time has passed.
Now about those Vogues, Glamours, Elles and InStyles: What's with the perfection that screams at women from every page?
Having a personal trainer and cook helps in the quest for size "0" and flawless complexion. But let's be honest here. Who has pore-less skin at an 300mm zoom?
I'll tell you their secret: Perfect lighting and airbrushing.
Last month at my dentist's office, I stumbled across a Cindy Crawford quote: "I don't even look like Cindy Crawford when I wake up." Whew, that's a relief! I wish more women, especially young girls, knew this!
Take my friend Renee (not her real name). Her stepdaughter had wallpapered her room with images of superthin models months before the prom. Looking like them is her goal in life, she said. Whatever happened to, "I want to be a rocket scientist when I grow up!?"
My poor friend was mortified that the girl would starve herself beyond recognition, and start wearing skimpy see-through outfits. Alas! She didn't go there, but she begged for liposuction -- at 17 years old! No, I'm not kidding.
Maybe teenagers are prone to obsess about their looks, but the obsession seems to be going over the top lately. If Britney needs to lose pounds to be in "Playboy," how are all non-"Toxic" girls like my friend's daughter supposed to feel about their looks? Another question altogether: What sparked Britney's "Bunny" ambition in the first place?
Now, all of the above could give glamour a bad name, and that my friend, is not the purpose of this read.
Glamour in its true form transcends the notion of weight, shape and hair color. The truly glamorous are not afraid of imperfection and age.
A couple of years ago, on a rainy March day in Milan, I met one of the world's most glamorous women: Sophia Loren.
The showroom in the Armani house of style was buzzing with photographers, fashionistas and movie stars from all over the world. Booming techno music filled the room. An avant-garde spectacle was about to begin. And then SHE entered the room.
Immediately, all the buzz turned to electric silence, and then the crowd went wild screaming, "Sophia! Sophia!"
Her ravishing red hair and opulent white suit probably helped too, but it's not only that.
Even in her 60s, the classic screen siren remains glamorous, sexy, poised and gifted with a remarkable physical presence. Yet she's surprisingly down-to-earth and unafraid to show off her few hard earned wrinkles in a glorious smile.
In a sea of women with perfect hair and beautiful clothes, Sophia Loren reminds women that many can be glamorous, but only a few remain unforgettable.
