Research shows that a waist–hip ratio (WHR) for a female very strongly correlates to the perception of attractiveness. Women with a 0.7 WHR (waist circumference that is 70% of the hip circumference) are rated more attractive by men in various cultures.
For both groups of males in this study, their ideal and body shape preference for females was figures with larger hips and buttocks, more similar to the Hourglass and Pear shapes. It was concluded that both ethnic groups of males prefer and idealize slightly larger body shapes than the women in the study did.
Did you know that hourglass body shape is the rarest body shape of all? Beauties with the hourglass figure have a balanced silhouette where the shoulders are as broad (or as petite) as the hips, and both of these features are separated by an elegant defined waist.
36-24-36 have long been ruled as the 'perfect' measurements for a woman. What would be the perfect height and weight to match this to make her look 'perfect'?
Hourglass, X shape, triangles opposing, or facing inwards
This body shape (typically presented as the "ideal") describes a person with hip and bust measurements nearly equal in size, with a narrower waist measurement.
The new research questions previous findings that a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7 — where the waist is approximately 30% smaller than the hips — is the ideal indicator of female beauty.
The stereotypically attractive female body shape is an hourglass figure, which includes wide hips, a narrow waist, and broad shoulders.
If, like many men, an 'hourglass figure' is your golden ticket, then you're not alone. A new study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, has claimed men think women with a 'low waist-to-hip ratio (WHRs)' – or 'hourglass' figures to the layman – have the most attractive bodies.
Despite this, there are many different body shapes, with an hourglass shape being one of the least common, but the most desired. Typically, designer clothes may fit a woman in size but not flatter her as they were made for a model's neat hourglass body shape.
Studies show that men generally find female bodies with a BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9 to be most appealing.
Earlier research has found that the most desired BMIs are approximately 18-20, considerably below the average or typical values of young women in well-fed populations.
A BMI of 17–20 typically corresponds to young women aged 18–20 who have maximum fertility and minimal risk of future health issues. At the same time, scientists uncovered another fact: men are also attracted to women with curves. This means that women with a BMI of 22.8 to 24.8 are the most appealing to men.
An oval face is considered one of the best attractive face shapes for women, but unfortunately not for men. Though, for hair cuts it is a good face shape to have, because many look will look good on you. Men with an oval face can pull off different shapes and lengths because the face is well balanced.
Is the hourglass figure rare? Yes it is rare. Not extremely rare but rare enough to not be too common. The most common body shape (what 90% of women have) is the rectangle figure, it is the most common and the pear figure—which is usually mistaken as an hourglass figure is the second most common.
Hourglass body shape
This body shape also has a larger bust, which a lot of people think symbolises pure femininity. The right clothing is essential to show off the hourglass shape to its best advantage.
Health Risks. Having an hourglass body shape means that when you gain weight, it is not concentrated in one area like apple-shaped or pear-shaped people. That means weight gain can be hard to spot if you're not regularly checking the scale.
Most Attractive Body Figure
Overall, men believed a more mesomorph (a more muscular) body shape to be more attractive to others; while women believed a more ectomorph (thin) body shape to be more attractive to others.
According to the class 12 CBSE Health and Physical Education textbook, 36-24-36 is considered the best shape for females.
According to Science, 43-Year-Old Kelly Brook Has the Most Perfect Body.
According to “Mys Tyler Insights – U.S. Edition 2024,” the most common dress size in America is size 16. Also, the average American woman has a height of 5'4" and the majority of American women (58.3%) wear a D cup or larger.
This body type is often celebrated for its classic feminine curves. Within the hourglass category, there are two subtypes: the bottom hourglass, where the hips are slightly larger than the bust, and the top hourglass, where the bust is slightly larger than the hips.
Heterosexual men tend to be attracted to women who have a youthful appearance and exhibit features such as a symmetrical face, full breasts, full lips, and a low waist–hip ratio.