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3,000 Years Of Women’s Beauty Standards In A 3-Minute Video
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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.)

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– Plump
– Full-bodied
– Light skin
– Women were considered “disfigured” versions of men

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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)

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– 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)

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– Athletic
– Svelte, but curvy
– Tall
– Toned arms

Heroin Chic (c. 1990s)

– Waifish
– Extremely thin
– Translucent skin
– Androgynous

Postmodern Beauty (c. 2000s-Today)

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– Flat stomach
– “Healthy” skinny
– Large breasts and butt
– Thigh gap
– Women regularly get plastic surgery to achieve their desired look

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isilerden avatar
TCIşılErdenGünal
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should have lived during Italian Renaissance era(of course in Italy). ;))

electrochris avatar
ChrisSmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is the golden age of Hollywood girl so big? No celebs looked like that in the thirties. Name me one.

lauren_styledevine avatar
Lauren D Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

Load More Replies...
arjan_vanmourik_946 avatar
larissa_s_long avatar
LarissaLong
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering my natural body shape with no plastic surgery looks like kim Kardashian I love that I'm finally accepted. Im healthy and curvy.

Load More Replies...
atorning avatar
larissa_s_long avatar
LarissaLong
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except that picture is not accurate. Site me one starlet during that time that was that size. They were more of a size 8 and tall.

Load More Replies...
meljhare avatar
MeljHare
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marilyn Monroe was NOT a size 14. She was a size 8. By 1960s sizing she was a size 14, a size 8 now. A 14 then is like a 20 now.

kim_vanstreun avatar
williamzkempokaratedude avatar
WilliamZ(kempokaratedude)
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, today. Just put on some rimmed glasses, shave the side of your head, wear plaid, and grow a beard.

Load More Replies...
kimberly_shaffer_98 avatar
KimberlyShaffer
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Today's standard is ridiculous: "Large breasts & butt" followed by "thigh gap". Take it from someone who knows, if you have enough fat to have large breasts and a big butt, chances are that you'll have fat thighs to go along with it. A thigh gap will be impossible to attain.

kellybaker avatar
KellyBaker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beauty standards have always been improbable. That's why for most eras women had to wear insanely confining undergarments in order to achieve the "in" look.

Load More Replies...
tinam1214 avatar
TinaMua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Victorian time, that model is wayyyyy to BIG. Plump then is not the same plump now.

ysemay_frampton avatar
YsemayFrampton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting but not very accurate, to get the effect for Victorian the model has to be in a corset, pulled to a wasp waist.

carole_sarvis avatar
CaroleSarvis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elizabeth Taylor - "In 1951 her vital stats were being publicised as Bra Size 36 inches, Waist 21 inches, Hips 36 inches and her weight as "

sophielee19849384 avatar
_adelynne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should have lived in the 1990s instead my my body shape lol

celtic79 avatar
George Konst
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The greek era is not like that, search some ancient female statues, YES they do have some and curves and thats the natural beauty of females.. Also females didnt considered disfigured of the male body. Greeks separated totally the appearance and beauty of females from males and they respected them equally. Its like calling a goddess as disfigured. Luck of education in this video :)

tinam1214 avatar
TinaMua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marilyn Monroe size 12 is probably a size 8 today?? Monroe was curvey but nothing near that BIG model.

sallyleman avatar
SallyLeman
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

complete & utter b******t-those who compiled this are NOT anatomical or evolution experts or doctors. & why the MASSIVE gaps in this history

Nancytronics avatar
Nancytronics
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NICE IDEA, BUT ANCIENT EGYPTIANS WERE NOT AFRICAN LIKE ... AND NOT EVEN CLOSE ... PS: I AM FROM EGYPT

red99 avatar
Dee Gee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kardashian donkey-ass is a trend that will fade quicker than OJ Simpson losing sponsors. Hopefully, the thigh-gap trend will remain for centuries...no fatties need apply.

lori_george_1969 avatar
Lori George
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who uses a white text color over a nearly white background??

hyperbolicgirl avatar
Valerie Narr
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My body type is closest to the 1980's one. Curvy and big hips/bust but toned arms. Don't quite have that thigh gap yet. Maybe if I lost another 10lbs or so.

imakatlover avatar
Anna Wilkerson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of these are dead wrong; mainly the ones that use a chunky model... Yes, Italian Renaissance liked plump women, but no, not obese like the model. Yes, Victorians liked plump women, but not overweight like the model, and their waist was cinched very tightly. And finally, first of all, the Golden Age is too broad; this women couldn't resemble the 30s any less. Women of the 30s still looked somewhat like the 20s--pencil slim, but weren't flat chested, and accented their waist. Basically slender, but neither Twiggy or too curvy. And even when the ideal got its "plumpest" in the 50s, waists were cinched small with girdles, and were definitely NOT borderline obese as the model is. And before you say "it represents average people, not Hollywood", remember that America is now the most overweight nation in the world, but it wasn't always. Looks at old photos of average people, and you'll find mostly only some elderly people are overweight. People are more healthy and were more active.

drama_queen_amber avatar
Amber Besharah
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how they had to mention plastic surgery for the current look. Just shows how unachievable it is

annawing01 avatar
CleverFool
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like that for most of history, the ideal body had a big huge butt. Because butts.

lauren_styledevine avatar
Lauren D Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that it jumps several centuries doesn't portray a huge portion of history. That, and most of it is wrong. (1915 to 1950 - narrow hips and small bums were the thing. 1960-80's, same thing.) This whole video is c**p

Load More Replies...
brilliantnerd avatar
NgoBDeng
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The realization of the the Ancient Greece (c. 500-300 B.C.) standard got to be a bullet proof of the author's dire need to have his eyes checked.

KillaCityKingz avatar
CassieKruse
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just all a bunch of b******t. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder no matter what size, shape, color, or imperfection you may have.

daisy_miles_35 avatar
DaisyMiles
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women have used regular plastic surgery to alter their look for a LOT longer than that. We're not worse now.

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Postmodern is wrong. I don't remember beauty standards looking like that back in '03!

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the roaring twenties. I hate the 90s and the modern day. Nowadays girls have to have big fat butt and boobs to be pretty.

lemuelachristina avatar
LemuelaDuskis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no era that got it right, because there shouldn't be an ideal body type in the first place. www.yourbodyrelationship.com

edith.tschiemer avatar
EdithTschiemer
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking I thinked that allways I feel to large ; no I was into . But never Twiggy ! - Do it with womens over 60 years , please .

elfriedeellenerdinger avatar
Elfriede“Elle”Nerdinger
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am definetly a Golden Age Hollywood type. Blonde. And yes, nerdy pale is a style I love when it comes to guys. <3

maria_bjarlestam avatar
MariaBjarlestam
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ideal always change and we should be proud over our own special body. If I could choose i would look like the 20' but with long hair

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate the modern beauty standards. Fake looking makeup, big fat boobs and butt, plus fake looking makeup. Looks like an ugly pron star.

lemuelachristina avatar
LemuelaDuskis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no historical period that got it right because there shouldn't be an ideal in the first place. www.yourbodyrelationship.com

isilerden avatar
TCIşılErdenGünal
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should have lived during Italian Renaissance era(of course in Italy). ;))

electrochris avatar
ChrisSmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is the golden age of Hollywood girl so big? No celebs looked like that in the thirties. Name me one.

lauren_styledevine avatar
Lauren D Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

Load More Replies...
arjan_vanmourik_946 avatar
larissa_s_long avatar
LarissaLong
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering my natural body shape with no plastic surgery looks like kim Kardashian I love that I'm finally accepted. Im healthy and curvy.

Load More Replies...
atorning avatar
larissa_s_long avatar
LarissaLong
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except that picture is not accurate. Site me one starlet during that time that was that size. They were more of a size 8 and tall.

Load More Replies...
meljhare avatar
MeljHare
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marilyn Monroe was NOT a size 14. She was a size 8. By 1960s sizing she was a size 14, a size 8 now. A 14 then is like a 20 now.

kim_vanstreun avatar
williamzkempokaratedude avatar
WilliamZ(kempokaratedude)
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, today. Just put on some rimmed glasses, shave the side of your head, wear plaid, and grow a beard.

Load More Replies...
kimberly_shaffer_98 avatar
KimberlyShaffer
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Today's standard is ridiculous: "Large breasts & butt" followed by "thigh gap". Take it from someone who knows, if you have enough fat to have large breasts and a big butt, chances are that you'll have fat thighs to go along with it. A thigh gap will be impossible to attain.

kellybaker avatar
KellyBaker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beauty standards have always been improbable. That's why for most eras women had to wear insanely confining undergarments in order to achieve the "in" look.

Load More Replies...
tinam1214 avatar
TinaMua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Victorian time, that model is wayyyyy to BIG. Plump then is not the same plump now.

ysemay_frampton avatar
YsemayFrampton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting but not very accurate, to get the effect for Victorian the model has to be in a corset, pulled to a wasp waist.

carole_sarvis avatar
CaroleSarvis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elizabeth Taylor - "In 1951 her vital stats were being publicised as Bra Size 36 inches, Waist 21 inches, Hips 36 inches and her weight as "

sophielee19849384 avatar
_adelynne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should have lived in the 1990s instead my my body shape lol

celtic79 avatar
George Konst
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The greek era is not like that, search some ancient female statues, YES they do have some and curves and thats the natural beauty of females.. Also females didnt considered disfigured of the male body. Greeks separated totally the appearance and beauty of females from males and they respected them equally. Its like calling a goddess as disfigured. Luck of education in this video :)

tinam1214 avatar
TinaMua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marilyn Monroe size 12 is probably a size 8 today?? Monroe was curvey but nothing near that BIG model.

sallyleman avatar
SallyLeman
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

complete & utter b******t-those who compiled this are NOT anatomical or evolution experts or doctors. & why the MASSIVE gaps in this history

Nancytronics avatar
Nancytronics
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NICE IDEA, BUT ANCIENT EGYPTIANS WERE NOT AFRICAN LIKE ... AND NOT EVEN CLOSE ... PS: I AM FROM EGYPT

red99 avatar
Dee Gee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kardashian donkey-ass is a trend that will fade quicker than OJ Simpson losing sponsors. Hopefully, the thigh-gap trend will remain for centuries...no fatties need apply.

lori_george_1969 avatar
Lori George
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who uses a white text color over a nearly white background??

hyperbolicgirl avatar
Valerie Narr
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My body type is closest to the 1980's one. Curvy and big hips/bust but toned arms. Don't quite have that thigh gap yet. Maybe if I lost another 10lbs or so.

imakatlover avatar
Anna Wilkerson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of these are dead wrong; mainly the ones that use a chunky model... Yes, Italian Renaissance liked plump women, but no, not obese like the model. Yes, Victorians liked plump women, but not overweight like the model, and their waist was cinched very tightly. And finally, first of all, the Golden Age is too broad; this women couldn't resemble the 30s any less. Women of the 30s still looked somewhat like the 20s--pencil slim, but weren't flat chested, and accented their waist. Basically slender, but neither Twiggy or too curvy. And even when the ideal got its "plumpest" in the 50s, waists were cinched small with girdles, and were definitely NOT borderline obese as the model is. And before you say "it represents average people, not Hollywood", remember that America is now the most overweight nation in the world, but it wasn't always. Looks at old photos of average people, and you'll find mostly only some elderly people are overweight. People are more healthy and were more active.

drama_queen_amber avatar
Amber Besharah
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how they had to mention plastic surgery for the current look. Just shows how unachievable it is

annawing01 avatar
CleverFool
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like that for most of history, the ideal body had a big huge butt. Because butts.

lauren_styledevine avatar
Lauren D Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that it jumps several centuries doesn't portray a huge portion of history. That, and most of it is wrong. (1915 to 1950 - narrow hips and small bums were the thing. 1960-80's, same thing.) This whole video is c**p

Load More Replies...
brilliantnerd avatar
NgoBDeng
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The realization of the the Ancient Greece (c. 500-300 B.C.) standard got to be a bullet proof of the author's dire need to have his eyes checked.

KillaCityKingz avatar
CassieKruse
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just all a bunch of b******t. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder no matter what size, shape, color, or imperfection you may have.

daisy_miles_35 avatar
DaisyMiles
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women have used regular plastic surgery to alter their look for a LOT longer than that. We're not worse now.

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Postmodern is wrong. I don't remember beauty standards looking like that back in '03!

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the roaring twenties. I hate the 90s and the modern day. Nowadays girls have to have big fat butt and boobs to be pretty.

lemuelachristina avatar
LemuelaDuskis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no era that got it right, because there shouldn't be an ideal body type in the first place. www.yourbodyrelationship.com

edith.tschiemer avatar
EdithTschiemer
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking I thinked that allways I feel to large ; no I was into . But never Twiggy ! - Do it with womens over 60 years , please .

elfriedeellenerdinger avatar
Elfriede“Elle”Nerdinger
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am definetly a Golden Age Hollywood type. Blonde. And yes, nerdy pale is a style I love when it comes to guys. <3

maria_bjarlestam avatar
MariaBjarlestam
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ideal always change and we should be proud over our own special body. If I could choose i would look like the 20' but with long hair

54d16a51b2cac avatar
SarahGilbert
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate the modern beauty standards. Fake looking makeup, big fat boobs and butt, plus fake looking makeup. Looks like an ugly pron star.

lemuelachristina avatar
LemuelaDuskis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no historical period that got it right because there shouldn't be an ideal in the first place. www.yourbodyrelationship.com

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