
3,000 Years Of Women’s Beauty Standards In A 3-Minute Video
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that eye can see things very differently depending on where (and when) it is. Buzzfeed’s video staff explored this beauty trends idea by creating a video with live models showing us how the concept of an ideal woman’s figure has changed throughout history.
We all probably have some idea of how women from all of the different historical periods in the video dressed, but the idea that there were different ideal body types may not have occurred to many of us. The uniform white bathing suits that all of the beautiful women in the video are wearing help accentuate the differences between those beauty standards, doing away with other potential historical elements and fashion trends that we might have focused on otherwise like clothing or jewelry.
It all just goes to show that there’s no one right way to interpret feminine beauty and ideas of ideal body. Which historical period do you think “got it right?”
More info: Youtube
Ancient Egypt (c. 1292-1069 B.C.)
– Slender
– Narrow shoulders
– High waist
– Symmetrical face
Ancient Greece (c. 500-300 B.C.)
– Plump
– Full-bodied
– Light skin
– Women were considered “disfigured” versions of men
Han Dynasty (c. 206 B.C.-220 A.D.)
– Slim waist
– Pale skin
– Large eyes
– Small feet
Italian Renaissance (c. 1400-1700)
– Ample bosom
– Rounded stomach
– Full hips
– Fair skin
Victorian England (c. 1837-1901)
– Desirably plump
– Full-figured
– Cinched waist
– Women wore corsets to achieve the ideal body shape
Roaring Twenties (c. 1920s)
– Flat-chested
– Downplayed waist
– Short bob hairstyle
– Boyish figure
Golden Age Of Hollywood (c. 1930s – 1950s)
– Curvy
– Hourglass figure
– Large breasts
– Slim waist
Swinging Sixties (c. 1960s)
– Willowy
– Thin
– Long, slim legs
– Adolescent physique
Supermodel Era (c. 1980s)
– Athletic
– Svelte, but curvy
– Tall
– Toned arms
Heroin Chic (c. 1990s)
– Waifish
– Extremely thin
– Translucent skin
– Androgynous
Postmodern Beauty (c. 2000s-Today)
– Flat stomach
– “Healthy” skinny
– Large breasts and butt
– Thigh gap
– Women regularly get plastic surgery to achieve their desired look
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I should have lived during Italian Renaissance era(of course in Italy). ;))
Yeah me too perfect body wrong era :p
Please don't say you look better than the goddess staultues look what happened to poor arachne
My body literally looks like those Greek goddess statues lol
Why is the golden age of Hollywood girl so big? No celebs looked like that in the thirties. Name me one.
You are right. It is a false hood that marilyn was a size 12. She had a 23" waist. Also, a vintage 12 is about a modern 6 to 8. This video has a lot of mistakes, including the white type over a pale background and women in terrible white swimsuits
Ever heard about Marilyn Monroe?
Kim Kardashian for postmodern beauty... FAIL!
Considering my natural body shape with no plastic surgery looks like kim Kardashian I love that I'm finally accepted. Im healthy and curvy.
All I'm saying she is definitely not the embodiment of modern beauty 2000-2015. Find any other famous model that has a body like Kim.
I'd accept you anyday if u truly all natural like kim curves are good ;)
I should have lived during Italian Renaissance era(of course in Italy). ;))
Yeah me too perfect body wrong era :p
Please don't say you look better than the goddess staultues look what happened to poor arachne
My body literally looks like those Greek goddess statues lol
Why is the golden age of Hollywood girl so big? No celebs looked like that in the thirties. Name me one.
You are right. It is a false hood that marilyn was a size 12. She had a 23" waist. Also, a vintage 12 is about a modern 6 to 8. This video has a lot of mistakes, including the white type over a pale background and women in terrible white swimsuits
Ever heard about Marilyn Monroe?
Kim Kardashian for postmodern beauty... FAIL!
Considering my natural body shape with no plastic surgery looks like kim Kardashian I love that I'm finally accepted. Im healthy and curvy.
All I'm saying she is definitely not the embodiment of modern beauty 2000-2015. Find any other famous model that has a body like Kim.
I'd accept you anyday if u truly all natural like kim curves are good ;)