Tatler's 'best breasts' list: sexist boob or feminist joke?

A LIST of the 'Best Society Breasts' published in Tatler magazine has been condemned as "misogynistic" by one of the women selected, the writer and former Tory MP Louise Mensch.

But the article, which is headlined "Titler: Best Society Breasts", has been defended by The Guardian's Alexandra Jones. She says the list is probably the magazine's idea of a "right-rollicking laugh" and points out that "boobs" have become "de rigeur in the fight for feminism. Just look at Femen."

It is possible, says Jones, that Tatler is "just embracing its feminist side (albeit in its own particular Sloaney way)".

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The breasts article takes up three pages of the May issue of Tatler. The photographs of the 34 women mostly show décolletage rather than bare breasts and the selections include Helena Bonham-Carter's "Gothic tits", Clare Balding's "Racing Tits" and Peaches Geldof's "Pierced tits". Louise Mensch, a prodigious user of social media, is described as "Tweeting Tits".

The Daily Mail says some women have "expressed horror" at the article and points out that a Facebook page and Twitter account, called No to Titler at Tatler, have been set up in protest against the feature.

The Sun, which is routinely accused of sexism because of the daily dose of female nudity it provides on page 3, declares that Tatler is at the centre of a "sexism storm".

But Tatler's list was defended by at least one of the women it selected, Observer columnist Victoria Coren (aka "Bluestocking tits"). She tweeted: "I don't want to disappoint anyone who's genuinely offended but I'm utterly committed to a free press."

Jones suggests the predominantly female staff at Tatler should "put their money where their mouths are and show us some actual Tatler tits".