It didn’t take long for me to react to the following photos, originally published in “Curves Ahead,” an editorial from the January issue of V Magazine (also called “the size issue”).

My reaction was, in short:

Do I see back fat?  Sexy back fat?

And does that mean I could have sexy back fat?

And if it does mean I could have sexy back fat, then does it mean I could convince others that their love handles can be sexy*, or that their breasts sag like a womans and less like a farm animals?  (You have no idea how often I hear older women compare their breasts to udders.  What is wrong with you, ladies?)

Yeah, some of these photos are a little overly edited, with extra smooth skin, no rolls overlapping the garments (which, if you’re heavy yourself, you know that blue swimsuit below must have done).  Despite that, and despite my fear that this shoot will cause people to start saying that fat equals “a real woman” – which makes skinny equal what, exactly? – I still love this shoot.

Because this shoot inspired me to get up, strip out of my clothes, and look in the mirror…and appreciate what I saw.

Back fat and all.

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Here are a few more shots from the editorial.

When you look at these, what’s the first thing you see?

Is it back fat, big hips, pretty small breasts, or are you more focused on the styling of these models?

What do you think about this shoot, and V Magazine’s decision to use “big, little, pint-size [and] plus-size” models in their January 2010 issue?

*One thing I’ve noticed: “skinny girls” are way more likely to complain about love handles.  I’m not discounting you, beauties!  I know you’ve got your insecurities, too.

Images via Refinery29.com.