Dapper: Three of a kind

(from left to right)
On Lydia: Top, The Tinsel Rack, Jeans, model’s own
On Agnes: Top and skirt, The Tinsel Rack
On Joycelyn: Shirt-dress, The Tinsel Rack

Identical twins and triplets share similar faces and body shapes, but do they view their bodies equally? Dapper writer Desiree Ng speaks to 22-year-old triplets — second-year Sports Science and Management student Lydia Ong and her full-time employed sisters Agnes and Joycelyn — to talk about body image.

(From left to right)
On Joycelyn: Top, Love and Bravery Skirt, The Tinsel Rack
On Lydia: Shirt-dress (worn as outwear) and Dress, The Tinsel Rack
On Agnes: Top and skirt, The Tinsel Rack

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Lydia: I like sports, and am in the NTU Aquathlon team. I also play touch rugby.

Agnes: I like sports too, and I swim a lot and run.

Joycelyn: I used to play more sports, but now I mostly swim, run and go to the gym.

What do you think makes each of you unique?

A: People identify us as one person, like a three-in-one, but we’re all a bit different. An example would be the way we speak.

J: In terms of world views, it used to be similar too. But as we grow older, it diverges a bit due to different experiences that shape us.

(from left to right)
On Agnes: Shirt and Dress, Love and Bravery
On Lydia: Shirt-dress (worn as shirt), The Tinsel Rack Pants, Love and Bravery

Regarding body image, what do you consider as a ‘normal body’ or an ‘ideal body’?

L: For me, it should be proportionate, with the arms, torso and legs of almost equal proportions – ideally a lean frame, with less fat and more muscles.

A: 36, 24, and 36. (laughs) The average Singaporean girl is petite, unlike us, as we have broad shoulders. So, small frame, slim waist, with an S curve. That’s the perfect, ideal image.

J: I want to have at least 4 packs. (laughs) I am shorter than Lydia and Agnes by a full 5 centimetres, so I always hope to be a little taller, closer to an ideal height of about 165 cm.

How do you usually dress? Are there any clothes that you will particularly avoid?

L: I like to dress simply. I avoid bright colours, as I find that they attract too much attention to me.

J: For me, I avoid tight-fitting clothes, or clothes that are too revealing. Usually I like wearing sleeveless top with shorts and slippers. That’s the best combination.

A: Sometimes I wear sleeveless tops because of Singapore’s weather, but on certain days, I feel more conscious about my arms so I’ll wear long-sleeved shirts. I remember during the shoot, I had to wear a halter neck, and I felt self-conscious about it.

(from left to right)
On Joycelyn: Top, Love and Bravery Skirt, The Tinsel Rack
On Lydia: Shirt-dress (worn as shirt), The Tinsel Rack Pants, Love and Bravery

Do you think it is possible for someone to have high self-esteem and poor body image? How do you think it affects one another?

A: It’s about the mindset. If you grow up being confident about yourself, body image comes second. For example, some comedians are fat, but they do what they do very well.

J: People can use their skills to offset a poor body image. Fat Amy (a character from Pitch Perfect) can sing very well, so people recognise her for that talent, instead of merely her size.

Our bodies are all different — some have bigger hips, some have broader shoulders. How do you get comfortable with your body?

L: If you want to slim down, you just have to put your words into actions. But if someone were to ask me about my broad shoulders, I will tell them that I will live with it. This is what I was born with, and I don’t see a point changing it.

A: It doesn’t matter so much to me that I want to change it because of other people’s opinions of me. I’ll focus on other traits, so that people can remember me for those.

J: As friends, we should also be encouraging. We could suggest clothes that complement their body type, to make them feel better about themselves.

Any last thoughts about this issue on body image?

L: Be confident.

A: Body image is not everything. In life, one will complement the other. If one thing is lacking, you can find something else that complements it.

J: It’s all about the mindset. You must learn to be contented and satisfied with what you have. Be grateful for the body you have.

Photographer: Gary Khoo
Text and Styling: Desiree Ng
Featuring: Lydia Ong, Agnes Ong, Joycelyn Ong