Pop Culture Dictates What Body Types Are Desirable

The desired body type for all of women in America is not static.  Often times it is dictated by what is popular in a year, and women are constantly expected to try their hardest to keep up with these ideals from year to year.  To prove a point, Maria Hart writes an outstanding article about the beauty standards in America for the last 100 years.  They are as follows:

1900-1910: The Gibson Girl

The Gibson girl is slender and tall with a large bust and wide hips.  Corsets were used to exaggerate these features and de-emphasize the waist line.  

Camille Clifford was considered a "Real Life" Gibson Girl
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The 1920s: The Flapper

The flapper was a girl in constant motion.  Say goodbye to all the fancy up-dos and corsets and curves.  The flapper is relatively flat chested and short, with narrow hips.  Flashing the knees, ankles, and legs were common of flappers.  They were thought to be as young and reckless, rejecting the earlier Victorian  Ideals.  

A group of Flappers from the 1920s
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The 1930s: The Soft Siren

The soft Siren was the result of the market crashing.  Hem lines go back down and the waist reappears.  Shoulder width begins to come into play.  A new system of bra cup sizing is introduced during the era.  

Jean Harlow was considered one of the most prominent sex symbols of the 1930s, and represents the soft siren perfectly.
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The 1940s: The Star Spangled Girl

Because of World War II, the softer look of the 30s is gone, and broad shoulders, and boxy and aggressive attire is now in. The ideal body is taller and more commanding.  Clothing is made more for practicallity.  

Women in the 1940s
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1950s: Post War/The Hourglass

Busty women with wide hips and tiny waists were the ideal for the 1950s.  Marilyn Manroe and Grace Kelly were the sex symbols of the time.  Ads for breast cream that would enlarge your breasts began to air. Playboy and Barbie are both created during this decade.  Fashion revolved around these ideals, featuring sweetheart necklines and circle skirts.

Marilyn Monroe, a common symbol of sex during the 1950s.
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1960s: The Twig

Thin androgynous women become the beauty norm in the sixties, as a result of the sexual revolution.  These girls are doll faced, super slender, have minimal chest and hips, and short hair cuts.  Weight Watchers is founded in 1963.  

"Twiggy" is a popular super model at the time
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1970s: The Disco Diva

Thinness is still emphasized in beauty.  Synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex become more popular.  These fabrics are far less forgiving, and encourage flat stomachs and slim hips.  Bellbottoms and jumpsuits are in.  Anorexia began to receive mainstream attention.  

Farrah Fawcett is the poster girl for the 1970s
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1980s: The Super Model

Tall women with long legs are what's hot.  Thinness was still important, but the importance of fitness is introduced.  Aerobics and Jogging begin to become commonplace.  Muscles are acceptable and even desirable on women.  

Cindy Crawford was a popular super model at the time.
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1990s: Heroin Chic

The gaunt look is in.   Thinness is even more exaggerated in the 1990s.  Large breasts, however, are still in on certain women..  The look slim and petite look is accompanied with grungy styles, consisting of over sized sweaters and slouchy jeans.  

Kate Moss exemplifies the incredibly small standard for women, as a model for Calvin Klein
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2000s: The Buff Babe

Visible abs and air brushed tans are in, kicking out the gaunt look of the 1990s.  Crop tops that display the midriff are popular.  

Giselle Bundchen is credited with ending the gaunt area of the 90s.
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2010s: The Booty Babe

The focus of beauty for woman shifts to the rear.  The emphasis on butt becomes abundant in pop culture, evident through songs like Anaconda by Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian "breaking the internet" with pictures of her butt.  

Nicki Minaj is a pop sensation who isn't afraid to flaunt her butt
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In conclusion, these trends are impossible to follow.  What is deemed as popular in a certain year dictates what women are expected to strive for in respect to body image.  Consumerism and Commercialism are used to sell these ideas, and make women feel like they need to buy this or that to meet each year's new ideal.  

This Video perfectly sums it up.

100 Years of Women's Body Image

Body Image and BMI

Victoria Monson 2015