Well, I'm not busty or curvy or an hourglass, and yet I think I dress in a very bombshell style!

Thanks MsKatie

You go for it, Natalie!

Taylor, that is a superb example! Hmmmmm. VB has a full bust, though. Would she still look bombshell sans that chest curve?

Late to the party here, but I do see 'bombshell' in both outfits. I love them both and find them fresh, attractive and definitely feel they lean in that direction.

It's less overt because Angie isn't wearing a waist defining element - no belt, no peplum, no nipped at the waist jacket. If she were to pop such a jacket over either outfit there would be no doubt about "bombshell" for me. Part of what decreases the bombshelled-ness is Angie's figure, but I'm still seeing it.

I love both outfits (the shoes in that first one, OMG!!!!) and I find them fun, flirty, interesting and demure, classic bombshell.

I've not read any of the comments yet but would describe both outfits as sophisicated, feminine and ladylike, not bombshell. I'm afraid "bombshell" carries a negative connotation for me. I think short, tight and cleavage revealing; deliberately showing curves. However I also know that my definition is not accurate. MaryK calls her style Business Bombshell and looks ladylike and approachable.
Both outfits are stunning on you!

I'm a late joiner too -- had a busy day, so not much commenting -- but I thought I'd chime in to say that neither outfit is exactly 'bombshell', but it might be on a woman with a fuller bust and hips. There's a slight bombshell vibe, but you're so very slender, Angie, that you tend to look refined and elegant rather than va-va-voom in pencil skirt type outfits.

I hope you don't take offense, but a woman's body shape seems, to me, to be such a important component to the bombshell look that I found it hard to express my perception without reference to yours.

I would say neither of these is bombshell. For me, bombshell has to have the following:
Obvious waist definition
Very fitted top and bottom
Smooth lines (no ruching or drape of any kind)
Unless all of these are present, it does not qualify as bombshell style.

I would say VB's look is heavily influenced by her makeup/facial expression and shoes. I don't see her as bombshell, bombshell and sexy are not the same, and I see her more as trying to look sexy.

Angie, I can't believe I was "quick" to grasp anything! But yes, that's exactly what I meant and in fact posted on Natalie's outfit thread WITHOUT having read your comment here. Tomboy does not equal Tomboy Style: Bombshell does not equal Bombshell Style. To me, anyway.

And in my obtuse way, it's also what I was trying to get at in my "Do you have to be a ____ to dress like a ______" thread.

Have tried tried to get through all the comments...interesting read. I feel both these looks are very classic. They are attractive and alluring but with subtlety. For me the image of "bombshell" is a curvaceous figure, and fitted clothing...I do realize this is a stereotype.

Also, for me a bombshell look in the extreme has full attention on the "look" rather than the person wearing it. In your outfits Angie, you are wearing your outfits with your loveliness shining through, as opposed to the outfit wearing you.

Natalie, for what it's worth, I personally view your style as very ladylike. I wouldn't
attribute the words "Bombshell" to your style but then I may not understand the concept
as you do. And please know this is a compliment as I love your style in all it's ladylike sophistication.

Very late here, but had to chime in. I agree with most replies that your looks, Angie, don't seem bombshell. I guess to me, bombshell is about vintage style, waist definition, wiggle skirts, and plenty of make-up (vivid lips and heavy eyeliner, especially). Very Jessica Rabbit. I think Dita von Teese personifies a current bombshell look. I don't think you have to be a curvy hourglass to do bombshell style, as long as the other elements are there. I guess I wouldn't put J Lo or VB into the bombshell category either, because they don't do vintage really.

It's different, at least to me, here at YLF, with Goldenpig and MaryK both embracing *elements* of bombshell in their personal styles (and others too, I'm sure, but these two just spring to mind). Just like embracing, say, elements of gamine style can be done without looking like an identical replica of Audrey Hepburn from head to toe (e.g., can someone with a curvy hourglass body and long hair have a gamine style or elements of gamine style in her look? I would say yes), so too can elements of bombshell be incorporated into one's style, for example, the love of vintage, pencil skirts, waist definition, retro accessories, etc.

I posted this on Goldenpigs post and thought I would mention it here, too:I've been thinking alot about the term " bombshell" and realize that for me it holds a negative image or association I can't get past. I think it's because I worked in a very male dominated environment in the early 80's, at the height of the women's movement. To be taken seriously and avoid unwanted attention or even physical contact in the workplace, your womanhood needed to be played down or masked!

Carole, your perceptions make sense as that is how you were conditioned.

Una, you are faster at grasping things than you give yourself credit for.

Elisabeth, no offense taken at all!

Jonesy, I just stated on Natalie's thread that I don't think her style is predominantly Bombshell. I gave Natalie my interpretation FWIW. This is to your point I think.Jessica Rabbit is a perfect example of Bombshell. So are forum members like Teri, TX Sarah and Kari.

I don't think that Vintage and Retro elements are necessary to create a bombshell style. You can be a totally Modern Bombshell.

Totally modern bombshell...I LOVE it!

I'd say Kari has retro elements in her interpretation of bombshell (which is also quite ladylike).

Teri and TX Sarah strike me as more modern bombshell.

And I don't think negatively of bombshell or sexy (and I do distinguish the two...you can be sexy without being a bombshell, and - to some extent - bombshell without being intentionally sexy.)

High five, Suz! Nodded to everything that you wrote

Oh a modern bombshell. Well, now, I'll have to think about what that looks like (!!)