Body Icons Through The Decades
According to the results of the National Sizing Survey, women now have a straighter body shape as opposed to the hourglass figure, which is disappearing.
The study revealed that women's waistlines have expanded by 6in since the '50s. We look back over the changing shapes of the stars through the ages..
THE 50'S
Back in the golden age, the western world was entranced by the notions of the feminine ideal represented by icon Marilyn Monroe: big breasts, pinched waist and slim legs, otherwise known as the hourglass figure..., attributes also demonstrated by the stunningly curvaceous Jayne Mansfield, one of the most celebrated Hollywood leading ladies of the day.
THE 60'S
Slim hips and flat chests took the '60s scene by storm, as demonstrated by Twiggy, whose tiny frame embodied the look of the decade..., along with fellow model Jean 'The Shrimp' Shrimpton, by whom we were equally smitten.
THE 70'S
A decade on, slim was still in, but the elfin look gave way to the tall, almost Amazonian shape of beauties Bo Derek..., and kick-ass Bond girl Barbara Bach, now Ringo Starr's missus
THE 80'S
The powerhouse '80s era saw the rise of highly toned muscle definition and minimum body fat, as espoused by workout queen Jane Fonda..., and the lithe, long-legged Jamie Lee Curtis.
THE 90'S
The waif-like figure of Kate Moss was revered in the '90s as the focus changed towards an adolescent, pre-teen look for women..., qualities also apparent in ultra-thin Gisele Bundchen.
The Noughties
Half a century later and we seem to have come full circle: the buxom look came back with a vengeance, aptly demonstrated by the hue and cry over the ampleness of J-Lo's behind...,
and the curves of the lady with the most beautiful bottom Beyoncé Knowles.
However, although we may have got bigger, celebs aside, we're not generally as curvaceous as the '50s sirens.
Kate Winslet's 'straight' figure is more typical of the population as a whole, displaying less of a defined waist and a (slightly) more obvious tummy.
(UKHB/HBDS07)
Posted in: fashion, icon on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at at 10:09 AM
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Very interesting blog post. Thank you. I did a search online for "Hourglass Figure" and your page came up. It was very interesting coming across some of those old pictures over the decades. Except I dont think J-Lo brought back in the hourglass look. She was still counterculture with her frame. Beyonce too. There were articles upon articles, & stories upon stories criticizing Jennifer until she was FORCED to lose the weight.
I don't think the curvy look has made a full comeback mainstream as of yet. Believe me, I'm STILL waiting for the day as I am quite Buxom and totally alienated by mainstream standards ;-)
-TonyaTko
http://www.tonyatko.com