How Has the Ideal Female Body Type Changed During the Last Century?

Fashion is something that’s expressive and individual, so clothing is a hot-button topic. However, a woman’s ideal body shape and type go in and out of style, as well. In the past 100 years, some looks were considered attractive, but they faded to what you see today. Often, the shifts are subtle, but there have been moments in time when they’re staggering.

Society often dictates a person’s ideal body type, and that’s how celebrities became famous. Is it still like that in today’s modern world? Let’s check out different body shapes and styles throughout the years to see how things change.

The Gibson Girl of the 1910s

Companies often used illustrations to advertise their products in the early 1900s. It was more expensive for magazines to publish photographs. Charles Dana Gibson was a top illustrator at the time, often showing women in corsets and long gowns.

Camille Clifford

Camille Clifford was one of the proteges for the Gibson Girl persona because she was a beautiful actress and model. All the ladies at the time wanted to mimic her 18-inch waist. However, that required wearing a corset under a long gown!

Flappers of the Roaring 1920s

After the Gibson Girl persona, the world experienced the Flapper style in the 1920s. It was a huge shift from the image before. These women sported loose dresses, short hairdos, and hats. The government also ratified the 19th amendment during this time, so women were allowed to vote!

Margaret Gorman

Margaret Gorman was Miss American in 1921, and everyone believed her to have the ideal body type during this period. She was lean and long - almost boyish in appearance. This was a huge shift from the previous decade’s hourglass figure!

Soft Siren of the 1930s

Just 10 years after the Roaring ’20s, the world saw another fashion shift for the 1930s. Women ended up back in form-fitting dresses that showcased a more feminine style. The stock market crashed in 1929, which might be part of the reason for the change.

Dolores Del Rio

Dolores Del Rio was a popular woman during this time period. People in the 1930s craved that old Hollywood glamour style, and she had it. In fact, she was described as “roundly turned” by Photoplay magazine!

The Star-spangled Girl of the 1940s

World War II changed everything in the 1940s. Everything in America was affected, including what women wore. Broad shoulders and longer limbs were considered ideal. Plus, torpedo or bullet bras became popular because they were one of the only options available.

Betty Grable

Betty Grable was considered the ideal woman during the 1940s. In fact, she was every man’s dream, and most gentlemen had her pinned up somewhere. Military footlockers often had her smiling face ready to warm a hero’s heart after a long day.

Hourglass Figure of the 1950s

While curves were always popular throughout the decades, the 1950s saw a shift back to the Gibson Girl persona. The hourglass figure came back, pushing thinness and broad shoulders out the door. Magazines even advertised weight gainers so that ladies could widen their hips!

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe needs no introduction! She’s probably the most famous woman in the world because of her hourglass shape. Plus, her beauty is unmatched, even with today’s standards. Monroe is still the most well-known star of Hollywood now!

The Twig of the 1960s

A fuller body type was the primary goal in the 1950s, but that changed completely in the 1960s! The hourglass figure wasn’t popular now. Extremely thin and long was now the best choice. To fit in, you needed a small waist and narrow hips!

Twiggy

Lesley Lawson was a popular model during the ’60s. Called Twiggy, she made the rail-thin body type popular. In fact, everyone wanted to be incredibly thin like her, so she changed the fashion landscape at just 16 years old!

The Disco Diva of the 1970s

Though rail-thin styles continued into the ’70s, curves were once again welcome. Women didn’t go to the extreme like they did in the 1950s, and things were more balanced. Disco divas were all the rage, wearing amazing getups and dancing the night away.

Charlie’s Angels

Charlie’s Angels was one of the most popular films during the 1970s, producing the most famous faces. Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett, and Kate Jackson showed off the ideal body type for women in this decade - a mixture of long, lean, and curvy!

The Supermodel of the 1980s

The Supermodel look was introduced in the 1980s. It was the title given to those models who had a tall stature and extremely long legs. You couldn’t turn on the television without seeing the style, but MTV made it incredibly popular.

Rachel Hunter

Rachel Hunter was just under 6 feet tall, towering over everyone. She and Rod Stewart dated for a while, but he was only 5’10,” and things were often awkward. Regardless, she’s been in music videos and Sports Illustrated magazine to show off her amazing body.

Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson also embodied the classic 1980s Supermodel look. In fact, Time magazine started calling her “The Body.” She didn’t fade away from the spotlight, though. Macpherson was in Sports Illustrated magazine in 2014 and still looked great.

The Waif of the 1990s

Fashion trends took a sharp turn from tall and curvy to the ’90s waif-thin appearance. Most women called it “heroin chic” because it appeared that these women had lost weight from drugs. It was completely opposite of the Supermodel style!

Kate Moss

Kate Moss epitomized that waif-thin appearance in the 1990s. The fashion icon started in the industry with Calvin Klein. People generally blame her for that size-zero trend that went on for far too long. However, she knew what she was doing, making $9.2 million in one year!

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder is another great example of that waif look. Her style might have gotten her before the producers, but her acting made her a star. Both she and Kate Moss had been in a relationship with Johnny Depp, so he definitely has a specific profile he likes.

The Buff Beauty of the 2000s

The new millennium brought many things with it, and fashionistas pushed those waif-thin ladies out, focusing more on athleticism. Magazine covers depicted women with rock-hard abs and toned arms. They still had curves, but not as many!

Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Bundchen came on the scene in this period and showcased a new supermodel appearance - tall, long legs, and athletic. The Brazilian model was actually the highest-paid woman for decades. Some still believe she’s the most beautiful lady in the world.

The Booty Babe of the 2010s

Curvy booties were the most popular body type of the 2010s. Beyonce was clearly the top-runner here. Bootylicious also came out. The popular song from Destiny’s Child (of which Beyonce was part) sealed the deal. Hips and behinds were in!

Rihanna

Rihanna is a popular music artist. The Barbadian beauty wows the crowd with her amazing vocal cords, but she also has a beautiful body and great style. She has a fashion line now and has proven to be a good businesswoman, as well.

Kim Kardashian

You can’t talk about booty babes without focusing on Kim Kardashian. She gets credit for making the style popular in mainstream media. Though she came about her bodacious booty naturally, other women get cosmetic surgery to look like her!

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is often called “JLo” or “Jenny from the Block.” Even if you just called her Jennifer, you know she’s beautiful inside and out. However, her strong and curvy body makes her a perfect example of the time period. Plus, Booty (her hit song) said it all.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj was a good rapper from the era, and she’s now an iconic music artist. People love her for her skills and excellent fashion style. She enjoys showing her curves off in videos and giving the crowd what they want.

Changing Ideals

Currently, women don’t want to conform to one ideal body type. Most people believe the internet is to blame because it’s made magazines outdated. Regardless, there isn’t a specific style or option that reigns supreme as the best now.

Body Positivity

In the 2020s, things have shifted more to focus on body positivity. The idea behind that is to encourage women of all sizes and shapes to feel empowered and beautiful. They don’t have to conform to one body type that society (or media) determines.

In Marketing

Most companies have turned to that ideal, as well. Aerie is a popular brand that uses models of varying body types, sizes, and shapes. It doesn’t retouch any of the photographs, so you see the women in their true forms.

Photoshop vs. Reality

The 2000s brought with it plenty of photoshopping. Most people were exposed and realized that they couldn’t look like the models portrayed. Magazines were trying to sell an unrealistic expectation, so natural and body positivity are here to stay!

Instagram vs. Reality

Social media platforms offer countless filters to help you alter your appearance. It’s more popular on Instagram, and the people might be unrecognizable because of the changes. This leads to an unrealistic expectation of beauty and body dysmorphia.

Subtle FaceTune

FaceTune is an app that helps people subtly tweak their photos. There are some dramatic filters, but they’re not as drastic as other social media outlets. Still, women may feel they’re not good enough without making changes to their pictures.

Makeup vs. No Makeup

There was a popular trend on social media that had people posting photographs of themselves with and without makeup. It was a way to see how makeup changed a person’s appearance and also promoted self-acceptance and loving yourself as you are.

Cosmetic Procedures

While makeup might not seem too bad, it leads some people to go beyond applying foundation to permanently alter their appearances. They use cosmetic procedures to completely change how they look. Young people are now getting fillers and injections!

Ancient Traditions

Most people think cosmetic surgery is a new phenomenon, but that’s not altogether true. The ancient Chinese tradition required parents to bind their children’s feet to look more doll-like. It changed the shape and size of the foot, but it’s now banned!

Double Eyelid Surgery

Other countries tend to turn to America to determine what’s beautiful. Therefore, Asian women often use cosmetic surgery to change the shape of their eyelids. It’s very common in South Korea. This helps them look “Americanized.”

French Beauty Ideals

French women used to focus on “three white things” to be as beautiful as possible. They required white teeth, skin, and hands, which meant no tanning. “Three black things” was also popular, which referred to the eyebrows (two) and eyelashes.

Skin Whitening

Women in other countries tend to look to Americans to see what’s beautiful and “in.” That means skin whitening procedures are quite popular now. There are also creams and serums promising to help you lighten things up.

Future Beauty Trends

It’s impossible to determine what future women might find beautiful. Many factors influence the standards for any time period. That means it’s hard to say what might be popular during the next decade. Live your life, be comfortable, and love yourself!

Plastic Surgery Trends

With the rise of social media, people have started paying a lot more attention to their appearances, as well as comparing their looks to other people they seen online. That, along with the fact that many procedures have become a lot more affordable has led to a dramatic rise in plastic surgery and treatments. Here are some of the biggest trends in this field, many of which have been driven by social media trends.

Fat Freezing

Fat freezing is done using cryolipolysis machines, which use temperatures below zero to freeze fat cells, causing them to die and then be “flushed away.” It’s a non-surgical procedure, which is why it has gained traction. However, it’s important to note that there can be some complications that are hard to reverse, like model Linda Evangelista experienced.

Natural Chest Augmentation

While the silicone breast augmentations are the trademark of the 90’s and early 2000’s, nowadays people are looking for a more natural looking solution. Fat transfer augmentations and low profile implants have started to become a lot more popular, which offer a more subtle look than the implants of the past.

Double Chin Injections

Double chin injections are done using deoxycholic acid injections that dissolve fat, and it is very common for people to do this injection in the chin area to reduce the look of their “double chins.” This is an area that causes a lot of people discomfort, so it seems like a relatively non-invasive solution. As always, it’s important to consult with a doctor before doing any of this.

Liposuction

Ever since it was introduced to the public, liposuction has become one of the most performed procedures and it will likely remain that way. Liposuction removes stubborn fat and gives patients a more contoured look with natural looking results. Of course, a plastic surgeon will have to assess your case to see whether you are a good candidate, since this is a serious surgery after all.

Men’s Procedures

Many assume that plastic surgery and treatments are done by mainly women, but that could not be farther from the truth. In fact, since 1997, there has been a 325% increase in the number of men undertaking a cosmetic procedure. These include facelifts, gynecomastia (which is male breast reduction), eyelid surgery, and nose jobs.

The Rise of Injectables

Thanks to social media, many more people have been turning to injectables as a solution for things that they are self conscious about. This includes anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers to increase volume, and this can be done all over the face.

Lip Injections

Lip injections have absolutely skyrocketed in popularity, and many credit influencer Kylie Jenner with this being the case. When she changed her look dramatically using lip fillers, it became a huge craze and thousands of people immediately ran to do the same injections to plump up their lips.

Most Popular Worldwide

There’s a clear winner when it comes to the most popular procedure that’s done around the world, and that is anti-wrinkle injections regardless of gender. For women, the most popular surgery is breast augmentation, while for men, it’s eyelid surgery.

Most Cosmetic Procedures

While people all around the world will have cosmetic procedures done, there are certain countries where it is much more common to do so. For example, 20% of all cosmetic surgeries are done in the US, while the second highest country is Brazil. Rounding out the top five countries are Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

Surgery Capital City

When it comes to which city in the world has the most plastic surgeries in the world, it’s actually Seoul, South Korea. It’s common to see ads for plastic surgery around the city as well as many offices where the procedures are actually done. It’s so common for people to get cosmetic surgeries here that some even look at it as an investment in bettering their career prospects.

Non-Invasive Surgeries

While plastic surgeries often come with the risk of going under the knife, there has been a big increase in non-invasive options. These procedures include double chin injections, lip injections, Botox, CoolScultping fat freezing, and dermal fillers.

Skin Tightening

There are different procedures that can be done for skin firming including Ultherapy, THERMIsmooth, and Sculptra. This aims to have recipients look younger and reducing sagging skin, jowls, create a more define neck, and more. This minimally invasive treatment is getting more and more popular.

Botox For The Younger Set

While Botox is not new, what is different is how many younger clients are interested in starting with a Botox regime in order to prevent skin aging even before it actually happens. That means people in their 20s and 30s are starting to get Botox.

Facelift Without The Surgery

For anyone who has been interested in a facelift but has been weary about going under the knife, Ellacor is a procedure that might be interesting. This impacts the lower face by using several hollow-bore needles to stamp the skin, with each pass removing 10% of tissue. Dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank explains: “fractional microcoring creates dozens of little holes in the skin, like tiny punch biopsies.” The microcores take up to two days to heal over. It’s more of a weekend procedure; there’s some downtime,” which is about two days.

Liposuction Alternative

Liposuction is a serious surgery which does produce serious results, but the intensity of the procedure might keep some people from going through with it. That’s why EON is a good option, as it is non-invasive and uses a 1064nm laser that blasts fat cells until they die in a process called apoptosis. Once the lymphatic system processes the dead cells, clients will see anywhere between 21%-40% in fat reduction in the area treated.

Cellulite Treatment

Many of the previous cellulite treatments have included slicing and dicing tough collagen fibers with a needle in a process called Cellfina or a laser, called Cellulaze. However, now there’s Resonic, which is an ultrasound-powered machine that according to dermatologist Robert Anolik: “rapid acoustic pulses that create heat and a physical vibration, [which is] just so wonderfully elegant compared to what we’ve had in the past.”

BBL Body Glow

For those looking to even out any discoloration on their skin, BBL Body Glow is a solution that according to dermatologist Ava Shamban: “makes IPL an option for an all-over rejuvenation.” She also shared that “I’ve done it on my arms. I’ve done it on my back when I needed to wear a backless dress. It makes skin look like silk.”

Ear Pinning

Ear pinning, called Otoplasty, involved correcting an asymmetry on the ear. It is an easier procedure so it’s becoming more popular, and has the added benefit of helping create a more youthful look as well.

Combined Procedures

It’s becoming more common for people to group together procedures all in one go so they can reduce the amount of times they have to go under. Some popular combinations include getting liposuction and a breast augmentation done at the same time. This cuts down on the amount of anesthesia and recovery periods as well.