Butt of the Joke

Is it just me, or is this "study" an excuse to stare at women's asses?:

One of the greatest female sartorial dilemmas - 'does my bum look big in this?' - is to be answered by a team of researchers.

Experts are launching what is thought to be the world's first scientific study into how clothing can affect the appearance of the female rear.

The team from Heriot Watt University's School of Textiles and Design in Scotland believes the study could have major implications for retailers.

Female volunteers wearing hundreds of different types of clothing will have their rears photographed for the study.

Participants will then be asked to look at the pictures to assess how big or small each model's backside appears.

The study will examine how various designs, colours, patterns and fabric types affect perception of bottom size.

Dr Lisa Macintyre, who is leading the research, said four models had been chosen to provide as representative a sample as possible of female rears.

"There's much discussion in the media of clothing styles that flatter the body and it's generally accepted that enhancing body perception can improve confidence and self-esteem," she said.

"But the factors behind this have never been fully investigated in a proper scientific manner."

Twisty Faster, whence this report originates, suggests that the authors of the aforementioned "study" can kiss her you-know-what and with good reason. There's quite enough insecurity about the female form as it is and one has to wonder about the implicit suggestion that any problems imaginary or real can be resolved simply by buying the right thing. Philosophical questions aside, I'm dubious - although I'm no connoisseur of female ass (and with witty remarks like that I probably never will be) - about just how representative four models can be. "Scientific study" my arse!