From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 027 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: This essay discusses the trend of backless fashion in Shanghai during the summer and autumn. It highlights both the elegance and the potential health concerns of this daring style.

The Allure of Bare Backs
(Original Title: 背露意圖為式)
The popularity of extremely low-cut garments has led to bare backs becoming a fashionable statement, demanding high shoulders to reveal them completely. With the front of the garments cut much higher than the back, creating a stark contrast, the intention to display the back is evident in the design. In recent fashion seasons, particularly in the late summer and early autumn, it’s common to see individuals, especially young women, wearing the trendy ‘backless’ attire that makes a bold style statement. This growing trend has led to heightened attention towards the care and grooming of one’s back, similar to the meticulous attention paid to one’s facial appearance. Every day, fashion-conscious individuals spend considerable time checking their reflections, exercising, and maintaining their posture to display their backs in the most flattering way. Although it looks graceful, this style puts undue stress on the frame of the body, potentially leading to unfavorable health effects, particularly on the spine. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution and moderation to avoid such negative impacts.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent