Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

3,000 Years Of Women’s Beauty Standards In A 3-Minute Video
User submission
101.4K
1.3M

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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.)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

– Slender
– Narrow shoulders
– High waist
– Symmetrical face

Ancient Greece (c. 500-300 B.C.)

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

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)

ADVERTISEMENT

– Desirably plump
– Full-figured
– Cinched waist
– Women wore corsets to achieve the ideal body shape

Roaring Twenties (c. 1920s)

ADVERTISEMENT

– 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)

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

Heroin Chic (c. 1990s)

ADVERTISEMENT

– Waifish
– Extremely thin
– Translucent skin
– Androgynous

Postmodern Beauty (c. 2000s-Today)

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

ADVERTISEMENT

1.3Mviews

Share on Facebook
Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

Read more »

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

Read less »
Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
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). ;))

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 D Martin
Community Member
7 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...
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...
Load More Comments
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). ;))

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 D Martin
Community Member
7 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...
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...
Load More Comments
You May Like
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda