Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the mainstream idea of the “perfect body shape” for women has shifted almost as often as fashion trends.
The stark differences in the concept of the “perfect woman” from one decade to another are truly astonishing and reveal a great deal about societal attitudes at those times.
These beauty standards were largely influenced by whether society accepted the idea of women having curves or not.
After countless diets, various pills, and numerous celebrity endorsements, here we are in 2024, still making the same mistakes.
We continue to encourage women and girls to constantly compare themselves to an idealized image of the “perfect female body,” instead of embracing and loving their own bodies as they are.
Nonetheless, it’s comforting to note that we have made some progress.
At least we’re no longer resorting to outdated beauty trends like smoking cigarettes or eating Wonder Bread as methods to lose weight.
The Changing Body Trends Over the Years
Join us on a journey back through time and witness the wildly fluctuating expectations of female body types over the decades.
Just scroll down a little and see the changes for yourself.
Image credits: Leo Delauncey
Camille Clifford
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Alice Joyce
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Jean Harlow
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Elizabeth Taylor
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Twiggy
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Farrah Fawcett
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Elle MacPherson
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Kate Moss
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Christina Aguilera
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Image credits: Leo Delauncey
Is There Really a Perfect Body Shape?
Over the years, as you’ve seen, the trends concerning body shapes have evolved based on what society views as the ideal body image.
This really drives home the point that the idea of a so-called “perfect female body type” doesn’t actually exist.
Every body is unique and deserves to be appreciated for what it is, rather than being pressured to conform to a societal standard.
Don’t you think so? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!