What is perfect?
From the late 1800s to 1990, the definition of the ideal female form has changed drastically. Using this article, I’ve summed up the various epitomes:
From the late 1800s through the 1920s, corsets provided extreme hourglass shaping. Some women had ribs removed to further enhance the effect of their small waist in relation to bulging bust and hips. The perfect woman was frail, pale-skinned and came with a large bustle. By the end of the 1920s a movement had begun - women appeared free and sexy. Women wore bobbed haircuts, bound their breasts and burned their corsets!
During the 1940s, due to World War II, women took up working in factories, stereotypically becoming “tougher” and strong. In the 50s, the babyboomer age, women’s forms became more ample since there was a large focus on fertility and nurturing. The 60s and 70s would bring about a bigger change - the stick-thin model, Twiggy, who quickly became a mass celebrity - famous for being extremely thin and boyish.
Then the 80s came. Much as in today’s society, the ideal changed frequently and unpredictably from one extreme to the other. A general focus on more healthy, athletic and “fit” ideals preoccupied most of the decade, with thin and boyish models remaining popular and voluptuous sexpots garnering attention (occasionally only to be catered to via pornography). Large breasts when accompanied by a toned, slim body, in particular, were coveted by women and men, alike.
In my own opinion, the past 25 years of the female form have been drastically oppositional. One moment, we’re aching for androgyny, the next, the hourglass figure. Sometimes, we idealize both.
Today, one of my mommy-friends said that I have a body that 95% of women would kill for. While I’m aware that she hasn’t taken an official poll by any means, I wonder: if I have a near-perfect body, what kind of perfect is it in the vicinity of and why do I keep wanting to change it because it’s too far from perfect, to me?
What’s your version of a flawless female form?
scarlett johansson, keira knightley, perfect body, corsets, Twiggy
June 20th, 2010 at 7:42 am
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