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 contrast in the “perfect woman” idea between decades is shocking and speaks volumes of public attitudes at the time—the beauty standards depended on whether or not people thought it was okay for women to have curves.
Countless diets, pills, and celebrity icons later, we’re still going wrong in 2024 by encouraging women and girls to constantly compare themselves to others and gain the “perfect female body” rather than loving the female body in their own right. At the very least, however, we’ve come farther than using such beauty trends as cigarettes and Wonder Bread to slim down.
The Changing Body Trends Over the Years
Take a walk back in time with us and marvel at the varyingly ridiculous expectations of the body types (female figures) over the years. Scroll down just a bit and see for yourself.
Image credits: Leo Delauncey
Camille Clifford
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Image credits: Leo Delauncey
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?
As you saw, body trends over the years have changed according to society’s perception of the perfect body image. Makes you realize that there’s no such thing as the so-called perfect female body type. Each body is unique and should be cherished just as it is instead of fitting into the societal norm. Wouldn’t you agree? Let us know in the comments!