Phoebe Bridgers' Venice Debut Spurs Debate Over Female Body Hair Norms at 32
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 8
Phoebe Bridgers' Venice Debut Spurs Debate Over Female Body Hair Norms at 32
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 8
Summary
Phoebe Bridgers, 32, drew headlines at the Venice Film Festival after appearing with unshaven legs at a photocall for her first acting role in A24 thriller “Primetime.”
Fan and fashion reaction was largely supportive, with Vogue saying the visible hair sharpened rather than undercut the look and X users calling the appearance rare for a public figure.
Women in their 20s interviewed in London described body-hair attitudes as slowly loosening, especially in younger, queer or left-leaning circles, though several said leg hair still carries a stronger taboo than other body hair.
Social pressure remains a constraint: some said backlash on social media and at formal events still pushes women to shave, while others noted permanent laser removal is increasingly common among peers.
The debate suggests celebrity visibility can normalize natural grooming choices, even as expectations around femininity and beauty standards remain uneven.