Fashion trends come and go over time, and the reality is that some don't even last a year before they go into the unknown. Take, for instance, Pinterest, the boards are not able to keep up with the many changes that surface in the fashion industry. One would believe fashion is all about garments and other material possession, but in reality, it's not as the body has also become a hit in the fashion world. Throughout the years, numerous magazines have shown us what is considered hot compared to what is considered "cold" with fashion trends. Over the period, we have to say different female celebrities have captured the most beautiful title. In this series, we will look at how the female body has changed from what was once considered ideal back then to now...
The Female Body Has Changed Over The Last 100 Years And Its Phenomenal
The Gibson Girl Of The '10s
Publishing photos in magazines back in the days was pretty much expensive, so they couldn't be done as they are doing now. As a result of such, companies would utilize illustrators' services to paint the picture they desire for their readers to see. Charles Gibson was a popular women's magazine illustrator, and he created this depiction you see here. It showed how the wealthier women of society actually looked back in the days, wearing extremely tight corsets, which gave them an hourglass figure and a straight posture.
The Gibson Girl Of The 10s
A Gibson Girl In Person - Camille Clifford
The Gibson girl was the town's talk, and whenever a discussion comes up on the topic, Camille Clifford can easily relate to being the real-life version of this depiction. A competition was hosted that was in search of a real person to fill the spot of Charles Gibson's Gibson girl's drawings. At the end of the competition, Clifford came out victorious as the judges believed she looked the closest to the magazines' drawings.
A Gibson Girl In Person Camille Clifford
The 20s Came With A Bang.
The "It-girl" slang of the 20s had a completely different setup than that of the Gibson girls. The 20s featured a flapper style that had females sporting short hair and not wearing a corset. As time passed, the hourglass figure faded, and the drama of being all about this updo life was no more. With this change came an amendment to the law which gave women the right to vote - a change the world had been lobbying for, for more than a decade. With this victory came the change in fashion sense and style.
The 20s Came With A Bang
Margaret Gorman - A Lean Beauty
In 1921, the Ms. American pageant crowned Margaret Gorman as the epitome of beauty both inside and out. In addition to her great personality and other abilities, her fans and those who had a passion for the show loved her. They agreed her shape and figure were the highlight of the show and the decade by extension. It was the complete opposite of the Gibson girl figure that existed a few centuries back. It turned out, people were now fond of women with lean bodies.
Margaret Gorman A Lean Beauty
The Soft Siren Of The'30s
Well, just as the corsets went out of fashion a little while after it came in, so did the flapper dresses that faced the harsh reality of a crashed stock market. As the '30s approached, the previous century's traditional flapper dresses turned to more fitted dresses that captured the essence of the curves on the female body. It gorgeously helped the female figure standout. For sure, if this fashion trend had surfaced earlier, it would definitely be a laughing stock of the time.
The Soft Siren Of The30s
Dolores Del Rio - A Hollywood Beauty
As the years passed, Dolores Del Rio became the center of attention related to a woman having the perfect body. If kids and young women of today were to exist in those days, for sure, she would have been a role model and would have inspired a lot of women. Photoplay magazine described her ideal body using words such as "roundly turned" and "warmly curved," among many other amazing words. The magazine further went on to classify her as the woman with the best figure in Hollywood.
Dolores Del Rio A Hollywood Beauty
The Star-Spangled Girl Of The '40s
When the '40s approached, things were not the same as many were going on during that period. Bear in mind, it was during this decade that the Second World War was initiated. Nothing was the same, and with the changes that came from every angle, the female body also changed, and a new figure was the hit of the day. The need to have long limbs and broad shoulders were the mission of every woman as this was the best figure and shape of the time. It was during this decade that the "bullet" bra came into existence.
The Star Spangled Girl Of The 40s
Betty Grable - The Girl Of The Decade
We can be certain most if not everyone is familiar with Rosie the Riveter. Betty Grable may not have had the muscular figure that Rosie portrays, but that doesn't mean she was not popular back in the days. During the '40s, Grable was the most admired female due to her "pin-up" physique that made her a standout amongst all women. Interesting, we are sure there was never a soldier who didn't have Grable's photo hidden in a secret compartment in their locker room or even hung on the walls.
Betty Grable The Girl Of The Decade
The Hourglass Shape Of the '50s
The early '40s featured women that had a straight and muscular figure, but as the years went by, that started to change, and more women with a curvy touch captured the center stage. But, as the '50s approached, the emphasis was greater on women with lots of curves, and the hourglass shape was once again the hit figure of the day. No longer were broad shoulders and strong physique the center of attention. To say how far they went to help women achieve this new figure, magazines started advertising products that claimed to help women get wider hips...and yeah, they did make great profits from this venture.
The Hourglass Shape Of The 50s
The Ideal Body - Marilyn Monroe
We don't think we need to tell anyone who the woman in this photo is because she is very much popular in her own rights. For a fact, we are sure you know this is Marilyn Monroe. She was that one woman who perfected the hourglass figure, and there is no way the desired shape could get any better than she presented it. To say the least, many women in that decade envied her shape and wanted to be like her, and we can't see why any woman wouldn't be like that.
The Ideal Body Marilyn Monroe
The Slim Of The '60s
People desire the female body shows how easily the desired figure can change in just a matter of years. In the '50s, the craze was all about the hourglass figure, and every woman was rushing to look like one but by the 1960s approached, it was the complete opposite. This time around, thin limbs, small waist, and flattened hips were the craze. It was now a mission of losing all that hip weather through a special diet or by vigorous exercise.
The Slim Of The 60s
Twiggy The Skinny Legend
As the ideal body made its way around the ‘60s decade, there was the possibility of a celebrity taking the forefront of who many people would see as their role model. The perfect symbol of the ideal body of the 1960s was portrayed by Lesley “Twiggy” Lawson. Keeping her figure was not as hard as she was a model almost from birth as she started her modeling career in 1965 at the age of 16.
Twiggy The Skinny Legend
The '70s Disco Diva Style
Hoping that the pendulum swings in your favor is our mission as by the time the '70s approached, curves were once again the talk of the town and the desire of every woman. However, this decade's curves were not necessarily the ones experienced in the '50s as this time around, the curves had to be able to fit into the clothing trend of the day. The fashion world was more than the ideal body this time around, as selective trends were now a part of the package. After all, it was the decade for the disco moves!
The 70s Disco Diva Style
Charlie's Angels' Stars
If you are going to talk about the female gender existing in the '70s, then Charlie's Angels have to be a part of your conversation. There is no way to mention one of these beautiful ladies Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett, and Jake Jackson (left to right, respectively). They were classified as the most popular actresses of that decade. In addition to them being the most famous, many people saw their figure as sexy and a center of attraction.
Charlies Angels Stars
The '80s Supermodel
As the 1980s stepped in, there was a new trend that a lot of women were flocking, known as the "supermodel" figure. This term was used to classify women who were on the taller side and had pretty tall legs. No matter what film you watched, whether it is an MTV show or a regular tv show, you would definitely spot one of these beauties strolling around. They were the envy of every other lady who couldn't manage to achieve that feat, and for that period, they reigned supreme in the world of fashion as it relates to the body.
The 80s Supermodel
Rachel Hunter Is Taller Than The Rest
Rachel Hunter is a little under six feet tall, and from all indications, she is taller than most men...interesting, right?! To show the extent of her height, she stood beside her ex, Rod Stewart, and she towered over him. Well, a lot may say he was probably short, but Stewart was an average 5' 10", so you do the math! Hunter is certainly not erased from history as if you were around in the '80s and '90s, you would have seen her in a lot of music videos. She also made numerous appearances in Sports Illustrated magazine.
Rachel Hunter Is Taller Than The Rest
Elle Macpherson - Another Icon
If we are going to talk about the supermodels of the 1980s, then it is fair we have to mention one particular lady who many people adored. Elle Macpherson was an epitome of beauty and was admired by millions around the world. Macpherson was a hit back in the day with her unique and beautiful figure, and even to this day, she is still going strong. She was featured in the 2014 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. To add, she gave a lot of recognition to the Australian model industry.
Elle Macpherson Another Icon
The Waif Figure - the 1990s
The decade after the supermodels wasn't as far-fetched as this time around, the waif figure was the most desired, and a lot of people gravitated to becoming one. So, what was the waif? Well, it was similar to the supermodel - thin and featured small limbs. Also, women would be a standout if she was short too and had limited curves, well if any at all. Many people referred to this look as the "heroin chic," as it was a little thinner than the decade before.
The Waif Figure The 1990s
Winona Ryder - Talented And Beautiful
If you are looking through history to find the perfect woman who was beyond beautiful and had great talents with it...then here she is. Winona Ryder fits into both categories easily and played it naturally and very well. Her character helped shape the woman she became, and it boosted her career to great heights as the achievements were endless. Well, we can't take it from her being an amazing and talented actress in her own rights as she has worked to achieve that status.
Winona Ryder Talented And Beautiful
The 2000s Introduced The Buff
When the 2000s came into existence, there was so much to deal with, including the Y2K problem. There was a new millennium, and with it came the changes in the female body's take on fashion. The '90s saw skinny, but the focus was now on women who had a more athletic body type during the new generation. They graced the covers of popular magazines, and the focus on curves was not so much important either as it was in the decades before.
The 2000s Introduced The Buff
Gisele Bundchen - One Of The Most Beautiful Woman To Ever Exist
Gisele Bundchen graced the world stage in the early 2000s, and she came with a bang! The Brazilian supermodel was deemed "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" by Rolling Stone Magazine, and we do see where they are coming from and would totally agree with them. She may not be in the prime; she was a few years ago, but that does not mean she has stopped connecting and working for big fashion companies worldwide. She is still featured in articles detailing the most beautiful woman ever to exist and is also classified as one of the most influential in the world of fashion.
Gisele Bundchen One Of The Most Beautiful Woman To Ever Exist
2010 - Introduction Of the Booty Babe
Well, every fashion trend has a history and dates back to decades long gone. Especially where the hourglass figure is concerned, we tend to see many females still gravitating towards it. Many females go crazy when it comes to the "bootylicious" image and desire to look just close to the best. Take Queen B (Beyoncé), for example...a lot of females admire her and go all the way to look like their role models. The curves have resurfaced, but this time, many emphases are placed on having big bums and extra broad hips.
2010 Introduction Of The Booty Babe
Kim Kardashian And Her Assets
If you say you have no idea who Kim Kardashian is, we are certain you probably live in a cave and come out once every ten years. Kim and her family have one of the most popular tv shows, and her husband also helps to bring a lot of recognition to who she is. But all those aside, we have to say Kim is very much known due to the bountiful asset she flaunts around. To top it off, there is a photo all over the internet with her sporting a champagne bottle on her behind...that says it all!
Kim Kardashian And Her Assets
Jennifer Lopez Is Not Forgotten
Jennifer Lopez is a much-mentioned figure in so many industries from film, to music, to fashion. Lopez may not be as popular as Kim Kardashian, but she has her name marked on fashion walls and will never be erased from history. It is just right to add her to this list, especially after her hit song, "Booty," which gave her added traction. Jennifer made this list because of her natural endowment, and like the others on this list, she deserves this spot.
Jennifer Lopez Is Not Forgotten
U.S.A
What is considered physically desirable differs from country to country. What is considered incredibly attractive in one country might be considered ugly in another. So, what is the ideal beauty standard in the United States? Tall, curvaceous women with blonde hair and blue eyes. Strangely, if you happen to have light brown eyes then you are also traditionally pretty. You can be sure that the American beauty standards set the standards for Western prettiness requirements in general. Thankfully, the incredible variety of bodies and appearances in the country’s celebrities is breaking this stringent standard.
USA
China
China has an incredibly unique and decadent standard for the ideal woman. Such codes are quite disparate from the diaspora at large. Chinese ladies strive to lose as much weight as possible, as slim bodies are the gold standard. Having a skinny frame, coupled with an incredibly pale complexion, is the most advantageous appearance that a woman could ask for in China. And, if you have large eyes and a slender nose, then you are truly in the money. When it comes to makeup, you can expect a lot of skin-lightening foundation. Finish with a narrow waist and you are true marriage material.
China
Egypt
Having an incredibly diverse set of populations and groups, the Middle East is a wonderland of physical appearances and opinions of beauty. Let us take Egyptians, for example, who love their women curvaceous and top-heavy. You can bet that buxom Egyptian women will enjoy far more attention in the arid country. These women will rarely flaunt their assets, however, given the country’s strict modesty laws that expect women to cover up. This standard was borne from the supposed figure of the legendary Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.
Egypt
Switzerland
The Swiss idea of the perfect beauty is listed as slender and incredibly tall, with brunettes being favored over blondes. To put it simply, they like their women to be a sight for sore eyes. This is quite an ironic beauty standard, given that so many people believe that the stereotype of the blonde and blue-eyed Valkyrie is the norm. This is the result of complex cultural traits that develop over time, and this phenomenon is especially incredible in the following categories.
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Moving further east we have Bulgaria’s beauty standards, where the ideal woman is short with a narrow waist, has an ample waist, and extensive hips. Basically, a tiny but generous hourglass figure. Strangely, the finishing touches to this vision are generally slender and lengthy fingers and hands with a small skeleton. Bulgarian women tend to be slim with darker hair than most Europeans, with gorgeously healthy and moisture-rich skin that permits them to shine. You can thank the Bulgarian climate for this almost magical effect!
Bulgaria
The United Kingdom
The members of the United Kingdom largely agree that women should have the perfect combination of curviness and slenderness with small to moderate upper bodies. The desired tallness for females just falls short of 6 feet, but 7 feet is an extraordinary treat. You might find tallness to be an arbitrary choice to call a woman beautiful for, but that is culture for you! UK women generally hope for a defined face and striking collarbones.
United Kingdom
Philippines
We now move to South-East Asia where Filipino females are idolized if they possess lengthy, dark hair, with sharp jaws and faces framed by petite foreheads. Further, Filipino women are blessed with slender frames and ample bosoms. Like many Asian countries, the lighter your skin is, the more beautiful and graceful you are considered. Women will clean themselves aggressively and use skin bleaching beauty products to attain this pale standard, which is a punishing expectation given that so many Filipinos are dark-skinned.
Philippines
France
Returning to Europe, France is famous for its abundance of supermodels, with a lofty beauty standard following suite as a result of so many glamorous celebrities. The French go crazy for towering and skinny ladies, which is ironic, given that this country’s native population tends to be short. While it is acceptable and sometimes even attractive for a woman to have a grounded or masculine appeal, the slim and tall qualities are mandatory. French ladies generally prefer to make the most of their God-given qualities, with cosmetic surgery being stigmatized.
France
Bangladesh
If you would like to turn heads in Bangladesh, then you had best take the best care of your skin as possible, as a glowing complexion is a must. That, and large, brown eyes. Still, Bangladeshi women are famous for their dazzling and lustrous skin. Women grow their hair as long as possible, and also take incredible care of their manes. A thin nose, bold eyebrows, and large eyes all combine for the perfect face. Curvaceousness is also preferred, but it does not compare to the importance that Bangladeshi people put on the visage, more so than most nations do.
Bangladesh
Chile
With so many countries falling into an obsession with cosmetic surgery and harmful beauty products, Chileans bring a refreshing preference for an earthy and natural beauty, one more frequently enjoyed when more people lived in tune with nature. The less makeup that you wear as a Chilean woman, the better, and do not even think about messing with your eyebrows! Strangely, blonde hair is a huge craze in Chile, which is an ironic contrast to the salt of the earth-influenced standards.
Chile
Italy
Italy
Nigeria
Like many countries that use skin tone as a means for judging a person, Nigerians will automatically assume your class based on your skin color. To attain that classy paleness associated with high status, many Nigerians, in general, will opt for skin bleaching treatments and products. Another interesting indication of being in the upper class is a meatier frame, with thinness being associated with illness and poverty. Therefore, the bigger the better when it comes to Nigerian beauty and status.
Nigeria
Romania
In contrast to Nigerian women, the thinner you are in Romania, the better. This means that many women take to unhealthy habits such as smoking and extreme dieting to meet the standards. Further, Western beauty standards have infiltrated Romanian culture, meaning that cosmetic surgery is the norm. On a more alarming note, all female employees are expected to look their best, meaning that even teachers will frequently be seen teaching in their classrooms dressed to impressed. Conversely, women are shamed for dressing immodestly, as showing too much skin is a red flag. Lengthy hair, manicured nails, and an hourglass figure are all preferable.
Romania
Serbia
Thick lips and large, ice-blue eyes are a fantastic delight for Siberians. Further, and having an ample chest and lengthy lower limbs will result in many eyes looking at you. A constant nail and hair upkeep is commendable. Incredibly, many of the leading models on Earth are Siberian, and the people here are blessed with a universally appreciated beauty. There must be something about the freezing climate that brings out the best physical features in a people!
Serbia
South Africa
This is a country with an incredibly diverse population, and so it is hard to describe a single beauty standard. For the African group, large bottoms, ample hips, and a tight waist are the ideal wife recipe. The Indian population puts significant stock in the lightness of one’s skin, to almost cult-like worship of ‘fair skin.’ Then there are the white people living in the country, who, ironically, try to tan under the fierce African sun as much as possible.
South Africa
Ukraine
If you thought that Ukrainians would have a thing for blue eyes and blonde hair, guess again, as incredibly sharp cheekbones and black hair are in fashion. The thinner and paler that a woman is, the higher that she ranks on the desirability meter. This was not always the beauty norm, however, as plus-sized women were almost worshipped before the 20th century. Ukrainians would rather that their women stay away from plastic surgeons, as they accept and love their women just as they are.
Ukraine
Peru
Welcome back to South America, where Peruvians are quite similar to their Chilean neighbors in valuing their local women’s natural blessings. That being said, they are also quite hooked on the Western beauty standards, especially seeing as they associate European or American appearances with wealth and status. They like women that appear slim and tall, with blue eyes and blonde hair – basically Miss USA. You might have seen how Peruvians cover up extensively while out and about? This is thanks to the terror of their skin darkening!
Peru
Netherlands
Here we have another country brimming with supermodel stock. With so many towering, lithe and elegant women walking around the Dutch country, the Netherlands has no shortage of supremely tall women! While the Dutch do love their blondes, this is more of a commonplace than a rare treat, given the high chance that you will be born with light hair if you are born in the flat country. The modeling industry owes the Netherlands a lot!
Netherlands
Argentina
Here we have a country where extravagant makeup and sensational hourglasses are much adored! If you are going out for a night on the town, you had best look as dramatic as possible! At the same time, healthy and natural-looking skin is also recommended, with crazy lashes and heavily painted lips. Argentinian women also love to wear tight outfits, with large and inviting eyes. Confidence and a good sense of humor are also fantastic.
Argentina
Kenya
Lengthy necks, high foreheads, darker complexions, and slight bodies are a few of the key beauty points for Kenyans. They also adore bright and joyful colors, and you can find dazzling outfits and makeup looks on Kenyan women in most social settings. While many cultures prize lengthy hair, Kenyans prefer that their women keep theirs short. As opposed to other African cultures that maintain that women should be on the heavier side, most Kenyan men are repulsed by an overly healthy frame.
Kenya
What Will Come Later
From all the information presented here with a link to the decades-long gone by, we have to agree that there is nothing called perfection. This statement is made true, especially regarding the ideal body and how they have changed with each passing year. Some unrealistic standards are expected in the fashion world, and a lot of people can't even measure up to it. The best bet...whatever you see in the mirror and are happy with...that is good enough!
What Will Come Later