There's been a very clear school of thought when it comes to Mariah Carey's personal style. And it seems to be - the tighter, the better.
Think sausage casing, if you will.
It's really not the buxom 42-year-old American pop diva's fault for having more meat on her bones these days - she popped out twins last year after all.
And after winning her post-pregnancy battle with the bulge - she lost about 30kg - I can see why she's eager to flaunt her figure.
But it's really not that sexy to squeeze it all into size zero dresses that struggle to contain her assets - and we're not talking about her voice.
Check out the fitted dark navy sleeveless high-neck frock with scalloped trim, centre zip front and flared skirt from Azzedine Alaia - paired with black Yves Saint Laurent ankle-strap peep-toe platform pumps - Carey wore to the Project Canvas charity event in New York City in May.
That's if you can peel your eyes away from the massive cleavage bursting out from the seams.
For her performance at the Mawazine music festival in Rabat a few weeks later, she went shiny, short and way too small in a low-cut gold sequined mini-dress.
Things improved last month at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club in Monaco, where she sang in an elegant strapless white Gucci gown with gold flower pin belt.
It wasn't all bust or legs for once, and Carey looked less trashy than she's been in a while.
But at last week's BET Awards in Los Angeles, she couldn't resist falling back on her old ways and typically turned to the most curve-hugging outfit she could get her hands on.
The bedazzled nude beaded gown is fine on its own, but the "cup runneth over" thing is such a major distraction.
Big-boned Carey should really hire a stylist who can dress her body type in a more flattering, forgiving manner while keeping her "girls" in check.
There's really no shame in going up a couple of sizes.
Can someone emancipate Mimi soon, please?
This article was first published in The New Paper.