Stop the Hand-on-your Hip Picture Pose – Check out These Five Alternatives Instead!

Maybe it’s just me. I’m often an exception to the general trendy rule but I’m so sick of seeing people in society put one hand on a hip in every photo they take and share. This goes especially for women and even more specifically for little girls who are the same age as my oldest daughter (7 years old).

You know the pose I’m talking about. This one, below:

Why? Why do this? Who started this ridiculous pose?

I heard once that this hand on hip move was publicly demonstrated on a model reality TV show a few years back. Celebrity Tyra Banks discussed it, perhaps?

I understand the need for a hand on a hip while walking the runway or standing around at the Academy Awards Ceremony. But just standing around with your family before the holiday dinner, walking your dog at a park or visiting an ice cream shop while holding up your favorite peppermint mocha supreme? Is it really necessary?

It’s not a natural pose at all; yet slowly (and sadly) it is becoming the norm.

So I’ll just say it again – I don’t like it.

I think it looks odd and unnatural. In my humble opinion, women or young girls do NOT need to do this to in order to look beautiful, feel confident or be sexy. I heard someone say it makes the arm look skinnier? Really? Thinner than what, a noodle? A beef jerky stick? Come’ on. All it does is make most people look a little bit goofy and distract us from the beauty in one’s face. I don’t want to zoom in on your elbow sticking outward. Instead, I want to focus on the eyes and the smile of a person. I’m not going to spend more than two seconds looking at anyone’s arms or hands.

I really hope that my two girls don’t strike this pose anytime soon (or ever). I’m definitely not teaching it to them.

I will admit that I have struck this pose in the past but it never felt quite right on me. My husband caught me doing a toned-down variation of it and laughed at me. He was right to chuckle and bring me back to my senses. I’m certain now that it’s because it’s just not me or who I am. I don’t go walking around with my hands on my hips.

Who does? A screaming toddler? A deranged professor?   Certainly not your everyday average Joe or Joetta.

But again, I know I’m going against society as a whole right now. I’m the one who can’t conform.

Therefore, I figure I should offer up some alternative poses for those ladies and girls who may agree with me but feel compelled to do something with that one arm and hand. So here you have it, five more respectable and acceptable picture-ready moves for you to do:

I will break them down one by one so you can understand your options.

1) First, we have the dog treat pose:

This involves putting your hand right over your pocket like you have a special treat inside. If you were to pat it a few times around a canine, the pooch would come running and think you have something special for him or her.

2) Next, we have the more classic hand in your pocket:

This one never goes out of style. If this move was cool enough for legendary cool guy James Dean, then it is definitely worth doing. So strike this pose with pride and with a little bit of Dean’s edgy coolness too.

3) Then we have the downward jazz hand option:

While some may view it as less cool than the hand in pocket pose, it certainly warrants a place in the community. I am sure that Ellen DeGeneres would approve of it, especially if it invokes dance moves and booty shakin’. Do this one with a bit of sass.

4) Furthermore, we have the rabbit ears pose (Or peace sign if you wish):

This is the friendliest pose of the bunch. You’re either being kind to furry animals or you’re offering peace in a hippie manner to those around you. Either way, you cannot go wrong with this one.

5) Finally, we have the multitasking thumbs up pose:

What I love about this one is that it has so many different uses. You can pretend to hitch-hike with this one. You can give a seal of approval with the gesture. Or you can tell that pesky person to get lost. Really the possibilities are endless. Try it and vary it up, depending on your mood.

There you have it. These are my five alternatives to the current “Look at me, my hand is on my hip” pose that can be seen in practically every photo taken today.

Will you consider joining me in my movement for more meaningful picture poses?   Let’s put an end to the ridiculous hand on the hip picture.

I won’t go into details about how I’m growing tired of Selfie photos too.  I’m no fool.  I know that those are NOT going away anytime soon.

Perhaps people can be more creative with them though.   Come up with something more original like these:

The “I have a headache” Selfie:

Or better yet, the “I’m about to Transform into a Zombie” (or other monster) Selfie:

Get creative.  Or please just step away from the camera.

(Note: This editorial / public service announcement is meant to be humorous.  I hope you can laugh at it.)

Source: All poses and descriptions seen here were created by Mandy.  All photos were taken by Mandy.  Please credit back to me, www.writtenbymandy.com