The thin ideal carried over into the 1970s, but the decade saw a bigger emphasis on larger busts with Farrah Fawcett at the media forefront, representing athleticism and femininity within the boundaries of a thin, petite frame.
The ideal body for women shifted greatly in the 1960s to the 1970s; models had very lean arms & legs with no curves. A renowned model, "Twiggy" Lawson was nicknamed for her thinness. The 1990s reinstated very thin as the ideal body type, emulated by Victoria's Secret models.
The '70s were defined by many things, like bell-bottoms and big hair. And many of the women sporting these trends were successful stars who also marked the decade with their timeless beauty. From Farrah Fawcett to Faye Dunaway, these women were the beauty symbols of the decade who inspire to this day.
Eighties' beauty ideals
They were tall, slender, and strong. A more muscular look for women was continuing to emerge due to advances in fitness and, in part, the feminist spirit. Muscle tone signified strength, capability, and independence.
Female - Androgyny (1960s)
"In a prosperous post-war era, slim fashion models showcased a body ideal for women that was ultra-slender, with no waist definition and especially thin thighs, stomachs and arms.
The ideal 1970s beauty was tanned with flowing hair and a slim, toned body -- an athletic look with minimal or "natural" makeup. Actress Farrah Fawcett was considered one of the decade's most beautiful women. The '70s also saw the rise of anorexia nervosa as larger numbers of women strove to be thin.
From 1959 to 1978 there was a remarkable shift towards a thinner ideal in the fashion industry: models represented in big magazines as Vogue, Ladies Home Journal and Woman's Day decreased significantly in weight.
Alongside the idealisation of the waif body type in the 90s, this resulted in an unhealthy and unattainable beauty standard for women and young girls.
Kelly Brook was identified as having a scientifically "perfect" body according to studies from the University of Texas. Her body measurements closely match what researchers considered ideal: a BMI of 18.5, with measurements of 93-61-87 cm (bust-waist-hips)
Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms. Supermodel and bodybuilding became a sensation, along with leg warmers and big hair.
Popular early 1970s fashions for women included Tie dye shirts, Mexican 'peasant' blouses, folk-embroidered Hungarian blouses, ponchos, capes, and military surplus clothing. Bottom attire for women during this time included bell-bottoms, gauchos, frayed jeans, midi skirts, and ankle-length maxi dresses.
The 1950s placed a strong emphasis on achieving flawless, porcelain-like skin. The iconic look included a matte complexion with a velvety finish. Women often used foundation, powder, and concealer to create a smooth base, giving them an immaculate appearance.
Discusses four major events during the 1970s: Watergate and Nixon's resignation, the beginning of the environmental movement, the blockbuster movies of Spielberg and Lucas, and the popularity of punk and disco music.
The 1970s marked a transition from the polished looks of the 1960s to a more relaxed and natural aesthetic. Women embraced the “hippie” vibe, favouring long, flowing hair, sun-kissed skin, and minimal makeup.
After the cinched waists of the 50s and the super-slim models of the 60s forever changed the way women viewed their bodies, by the 1970s, the thinking-thin phenomenon was in full force. The silhouette was slim and flared, and the androgynous hippie look was worn by both women and men.
Hourglass, X shape, triangles opposing, or facing inwards
A study of more than 6,000 women conducted at North Carolina State University in 2005 revealed that 46% of women were banana-shaped; just over 20% were pear-shaped; just under 14% were apple-shaped; and only 8% were hourglass-shaped.
Supermodel Bella Hadid has been declared the most beautiful woman in the world after she passed a science test that determines what constitutes the 'perfect face'.
The ideal waist size for Women is considered to be between 32.5-35 inches. 2. BMI (Body Mass Index) – This is calculated by diving your body mass by your height. A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9.
Meghan Markle has the most beautiful feet according to an ancient Greek method that uses the Golden ratio. Now, you might wonder, what makes her feet so special?
Despite this, there are many different body shapes, with an hourglass shape being one of the least common, but the most desired.
The 1960s. The Swinging 60s brought back the androgynous body type, influenced by the modelling industry with fashion icons such as Lesley Lawson (also known as Twiggy due to her slim appearance), that pushed forward the ideals of thinness, long, slim legs and an adolescent physique (8).
For about 400 years, roughly between 1500 and 1900, bodily weight and volume, for both men and women, had a strong visual appeal. There were variations according to country and century in this standard of good looks, but in general it was considered not only beautiful but natural to look physically substantial.
If a women's BMI is 18.5 to 20, she is skinny and if she falls below 18 she is borderline anorexic,” says Dr Seng.
During the eighties, a new fitness rage was sweeping the globe. The goal was tall, tanned and thin, but slightly athletic looking, with toned bodies, smaller waists and narrower hips.
The stereotypically attractive female body shape is an hourglass figure, which includes wide hips, a narrow waist, and broad shoulders. If you think about it, if broad shoulders weren't feminine, we'd call the stereotypical female shape an Erlenmeyer flask figure, not an hourglass figure.