A scientific study of the hormonal effects of the gold bikini

It works, but only on Carrie Fisher. Any other girl who wears it pales in comparison.

On a sidenote, I don't get everyone's fascination with Kristen Bell. Sure she's pretty, but imo she doesn't have anything special. As far as fangirl crushes go, I'll take Summer Glau over her any. day.

I don't know why, but it doesn't really affect me. maybe it's because the metal thing looks sooo unconfotabel... hm, I don't know, but I don't find it to be that attractive, maybe also because it doesn't really give that much away... 

"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from." ~ Jodie Foster

Without question, every time.  I still remember the argument I had with my girlfriend at the time Return of the Jedi came out.  She felt that it was exploitive.  I felt that it was symbolic of woman's ability to conquer from within her chains.  I may have felt an early tickle of B&D curiosity.  But we both agreed it was hotter than hot.

Of course, years later I had the same reaction to every breastplate Xena ever wore...

"Never explain, never complain." - Katherine Hepburn

I have that air freshner in my car. (Uber-nerd)

... but I'll have to agree with marie-elaine: only on Carrie Fisher, although the metalwork is kind of fancy.

Oh, and the collar is stylish. Mhm. >_>

Well, the whole ensemble was supposed to be explotive and a fanservice, so...

Personally, I think Leia's Hoth snow outfit is much, much sexier. Everything is covered up, but it accentuates her curves like crazy.

And it REALLY bothers me that Kristen Bell is wearing (a very cheap imitation of) the gold bikini. I think she's given far too much credit for what she's done, and I don't think her supposed popularity amongst the geek population is entirely justified.

"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck

Yes. It may just be my nerdy sentimental attachment to the bikini, but it's awesome.

And even on people other than Carrie Fisher, though not as much. Though she may be 34 years older than I am, she's still amazing.

Or maybe I'm just attracted to the type of women who would wear the gold bikini. (Carrie Fisher, and Star Wars fans that are confident enough in their bodies to show them off like that.)

Who knows.

I've heard it said that Jodie Foster was in fact considered for the Leia role, but had to decline because of an obligation to Disney. Now, Carrie Fisher was of course awesome in the bikini, but Jodie . . . . The mind boggles.

--
Dana Rudolph
Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms
http://www.mombian.com

*stares slightly slack-jawed at both carrie and kristen.....*

Ahem....anyway, i dunno. i think maybe it's the way metal kind of holds form better than regular cloth....you know what i mean?

side note: carrie fisher was my first crush...my parents decided to show us classic movies starting when i was six(when they re-released the trilogy, come on guys i'm not that old ;])...i saw Return of the Jedi when i was about seven or eight....and that gold bikini did me in....

kristen definitely deserves geek credit. she's smart and cute, what's not to love?

Put me in the yes category.  As a matter of fact does anyone know where I can get one of those??

Be a good thing to have around.

Only on Leia. Those imatators are not up to par. And I don't see Kristen's appeal either or that chick from heroes, Hayden whats her face, that all the fanboys are into.

I really want my own gold bikini. I would wear it everywhere. Walking my dog, to school, to church....(I don't go to church, but if I had the bikini I would.)

“I became a lesbian because of women, because women are beautiful, strong, and compassionate.” - Rita Mae Brown

It's not working for me. Am I not geeky enough?

_ _ _ _ _

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

...primarily because I saw Leia as female objectification personified, but I'm pretty "eh" about bikinis generally. Certain kinds of underwear are hot, but bikinis? Not really. It may be due to the fact that I grew up in beach country, or it may be due to the fact that I hate the idea of wearing the things, but either way....

--

No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always boom tomorrow.
--Susan Ivanova tells it like it is

I think its all about the context.  I mean, Leia was captured by something so repulsive and made to wear a revealing 'slave costume' in public.  I just can't see it being the same if it were not a gold bikini.

Oh, and I'm so glad you mentioned that Friends episode!  One of the funniest moments on the show.

For insight into the allure and what geeks like, check out the new link in my signature.  Princess Leia makes an appearance even!  ;)

_________

Exclusive Connections for Geeks (video)

Dono why, I expect myself to like the gold bikini--- but I really don't get it. The best reason I can come up with is that I've seen much more fashionable (imo) and sexier (imo) bdsm type clothing (of the non-corset variety as well, of course).

Maybe more skin =/= hot for me, but hinting at more skin and the idea of undressing = very hot, is why?

Also- on Kristen Bell: I told everyone she wasn't my type before watching VMars. Then I saw it. And um, wow did I change my mind. Smart, Outspoken, Witty, Funny, Charming, can play BITCHY sooo hot, (I'm a sucker for that, to my own detriment), the characters she plays are FIERCE. (well VMars and Elle on Heroes) That's my reason at least.

I am super excited that we have decided to talk abou the magic that is the Leia Bikini. It is so hard just to bring up this subject any other time. I think that it is all in how you wear it. The magic lies in the wearer's attitude. 

Also I want to Say thank You for putting Olivia Munn on this site. How long have i waited? 

I be blogging www.youtube.com/noapologiesfromme

"Think Sideways"

I admit though I was more moved by her shooting the big gun while wearing that outfit.  Unless that only happened in my dreams...  I may be due for a viewing of the trilogy.  I was the biggest smooshy romantic as a tot so my favorite Leia moments were usually with her brother. WHAT?  I didn't know it was coming.  I definitely wanted to be Han Solo in the Ewok hut.  What did it for me was her hair and voice. 

Now the "fangirl" in me squee'd with delight when I saw KB rockin' the Leia look.

OK, I've always liked that scene.  However, I've got to admit that it's probably got a little more to do with the collar and chain than the bikini itself.  However, the whole package is nice.  And on Kristen Bell...other than some Veronica Mars/Buffy fan fic, I've never really thought of her lustfully until now.     

"I'm a psych major, that means I'm qualified to go, 'Hmmmm'."-Riley: BTVS

"I am super excited that we have decided to talk abou the magic that is the Leia Bikini. It is so hard just to bring up this subject any other time."

Ahahaha. I love this so much.

The gold bikini does nothing for me and neither (whisper it) does Leia/Carrie Fisher. She has no chemistry with anyone! She just isn't believeable as a character, and she needs to be to hold the whole thing together.

I had the cardboard-cutout of Leia in the golden bikini growing up, so yeah - it's quite nice. It's just the way the bikini lays (which is sometimes lost in traslation...) but the way it lays on her hips, the red cloth in the front and back, the design... if we're leaving Carrie Fisher out of the equation, that would be my reason for enjoying the golden bikini lol

I <3 Carrie Fisher lol

Interviewer: "Why do you write these strong female characters?"
Joss Whedon: "Because you're still asking me that question." - Equality Now speech
If I'm borrowing your icon, I'd be happy to give you credit, just let me know :)

having been dragged  to the theater to see that one at 16 , it definitely marked a change in my viewing habits from that time forward......

also, that episode of friends was my favorite, a double fantasy!! Jennifer as Leia, it made me giggle like a school girl, but quietly to myself, as not to give myself away!

back to the studio Paint Monkey!

The bikini itself doesn't do a thing for me. 

It's the woman behind the bikini that will raise my temperature!

I have never seen said image before. Never!
Therefore, devoid of an original context, I am a perfect participant for your study.
As Nikki said to Helen vis-a-vis men, "No, they do nothing for me." It does nothing for me. I can imagine if you were into this sort of thing it might, having that narrative and fan context and all.

My own theory, Dr Snarker, is that the *bottom* half of said bikini invokes I Dream of Jeannie. I knew Star Wars was a rehash of previous "grand" [ahem] narratives. It just never occurred to me until now that it appropriated any good ones.

If so, I think these women may need some antifungal drugs for their boobs.

Now that I've contributed my invaluable 2 cents...I'll log back off and do some more work...bah!

I remember my eyeballs nearly falling out of my head when I was 15 and saw the movie for the first time. Man, that scene was one of the things that made me realise that I really wasn't like the other girls.

It's only Carrie it works on, btw. That Olivia Munn (who she?) does an adequate rendition, but it's only a pale imitation. The Gold Bikini isn't designed as an actual garment to hold things up or conceal; it frames. And Carrie Fisher has a body eminently worth being framed - she has fantastic breasts and those hips and waist!

It's not just the bikini, it's the hair as well. Those dorky round earmuff things are gone (wrong, Rachel), and she's got that long lusturous plait. Then there's the contrast. No more all-enveloping white robes, high necklines and prissy demeanour. It's all out there on a plate, and what a fine plate it is too.

It's when she stops being an adolescent boy's big sister/romance object, and becomes all woman.

There is nothing sexy about any of these photos. Yes you're dead inside, get a grip, it's only some photos not real life.

Yes but this could be because I am a star wars fangirl anyway. I had followed Princess Leia throughout the films, admiring her quick wit, amazing shooting skills and general awesomeness. When I saw her in the metal bikini alot of things fell into place.

I think a lot of it was the unveiling of Leia if you will. Before ROTJ she had been dressing in virginial white, from head to toe, at the begining of the trilogy she was a teenager now she is a woman. Despite it being a 'slave girl outfit' Leia got the upperhand and killed her oppresser. I think the bikini for me will symbolise Leia being grown up and taking control.

And Carrie Fisher is hot

yes it does, though in my humble oppinion yvonne, rocks it the best (but then again I have never seen star wars)

Nope, it's not the bikini. It's Carrie Fisher.

Carrie Fisher. Carrie Fisher. Carrie Fisher.

. . . and Kristen Bell. Yowza!

Well, for me it all depends on who is wearing the bikini...

Still, I don't really get what the big deal is.