Okay ladies, time for a history lesson. Today’s society plunges the “ideal body type” down our throats. We are constantly judged upon those ideals; Are our waists small enough? Are our stomachs flat enough? First of all, who gives a s***. Second, what we don’t realize is that all body types had their time of fame at one point. As famous American writer William Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It's not even past.” Aka all of our body types still are rockin’.
Italian Renaissance
Let’s start with the Italian Renaissance period (14th-16thish century). Men favored a big lower half; yes, a big butt. And better yet, they liked full stomachs and full hips! Is this real life? Large foreheads, pale skin, and small boobs were also in style. Shout-out to my Itty-Bitty Titty Committee; we were born in the wrong time period.
19th Century
Alrighty, next we come to the 19th century when good ol’ corsets came into play. Hence, the hourglass figure was born. They liked ‘em plump with a small waist; how realistic.
1920s
Ah, Flapper season. And the flat chest ladies make a comeback! The 1920s were all about slim, thin girls that had barely had any curves. You’ll catch me in the back of the room in the 1920s. We all recognize the cute bob hair style of the roaring 20s. To the girls who can pull of this hairstyle, I salute you.
1930s-50s
Fast-forward a bit. Would all my thick ladies please stand up?! Big boobies are soooo in. Combine that a small waist and you’re golden. Breasts were extremely emphasized in this time period. Bras were huge and corsets made a comeback.
1960s
1960s- Everything I’m not. Thin, long slim legs, and no curves. The 60s also brought the mini skirt and you know what that means… Gasp! SKIN!!! How dare us ladies expose our bare skin!
1970s
The 70’s mainstream ideal body which consisted of small hips, a small waist and big breasts. Slenderness was ideal and having a toned body became attractive. You know what that means? Time to hit the gym…ew.
1980s
The 80s really promoted this new “be fit” ordeal. Working out became a huge selling point as well as dieting. And no, I’m not talking about the famous diet of Regina George. A beautiful woman was thin, muscular (especially in the arms), and curvy, but only in the right places of course. Where the hell are the right places anyways? Anorexia became prominent due to this emphasis on being fit. Tall girls; this is your century. Society preferred tall women.
1990s
Mainstream media loved the "heroin girl"- pale skin, androgynous, and extremely thin. However, simultaneously the big boob preference remained so bras were becoming even more and more emphasized. Let’s all take a second to thank Victoria’s Secret for the Bombshell Bra. The weight loss and dieting industries were living lavish due to the high demand for thin, fit women.
Current
Ahhh, alas the 21st century. We’re what I like to call a century of unrealistic expectations; not that any of the past centuries were much better in this aspect. Today’s women are expected to be skinny, but not unhealthily so. We should have big boobs, a big butt, but a completely flat stomach. The 21st century, everyone, also known as the glorified age of plastic surgery and artificial body correction.
All body types have had their time of fame in history. Plump, skinny, curvy, boxy, pale, tan, big boobs, and small. I’m gonna’ get a little cliché and cheesy on you guys for a second and preach that are bodies are beautiful. I know that statement is hard to accept with all the expectations placed on us women, but now you have facts to prove it. So, whether you’re an Italian Renaissance girl or a 1920’s Flapper, flaunt what you got, girl. You’re beautiful.
