“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Or so they say. But is it really? We are all influenced by the zeitgeist, whether we like it or not, and the beauty standards of our times definitely impact on what we perceive to be attractive.
Fitness blogger Cassey Ho has noticed that the 'ideal' body type that society bestows on women seems to be changing ever more quickly. Like the insidious nature of fast fashion, where trends come and go in the blink of an eye to keep you buying, these rapid changes in perfect body ideals are leaving women feeling confused, exhausted and always inadequate. So you worked your ass off to get that thigh gap and bikini bridge? Too late, now you need a curvy body with a huge butt and a narrow waist. To illustrate her point, Cassey decided to show how beauty standards and the shape of the body have changed over the years.
Cassey Ho is a fitness trainer who recently decided to portray the changing nature of beauty standards
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"If I had the “perfect” body throughout history, this is what I’d look like:"
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"Mid 2010s-2018 - Big butts, wide hips, tiny waists, and full lips are in! There is a huge surge in plastic surgery for butt implants thanks to Instagram models posting belfies.” Even cosmetic surgery doctors have become IG-famous for reshaping women. Between 2012-2014, butt implants and injections rise by 58%."
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"Mid 90s-2000s - Big boobs, flat stomachs, and thighs gaps are in. In 2010, breast augmentation is the highest performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. It’s the age of Victoria’s Secret Angel. She’s tall, sports an athletic body type, and she’s always got long legs and a full chest."
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"Early 90s - THIN IS IN. Having angular bone structure, looking emaciated, and super skinny is what’s dominating the runways and the magazine covers. There’s even a name for it: “heroin chic”."
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"1950s - The hourglass shape is in. Elizabeth Taylor‘s 36-21-36 measurements are ideal. Marilyn Monroe’s soft voluptuousness is lusted after. Women are advertised weight gaining pills to fill themselves out. Playboy magazine and Barbie are created in this decade."
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"1920s - Appearing boyish, androgynous and youthful, with minimal breasts, and a straight figure is in! Unlike the “Gibson Girl” of the Victorian Era, women are choosing to hide their curves, and are doing so by binding their chests with strips of cloth to create that slender body type suitable for flapper dresses."
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"1400-1700 The Italian Renaissance - Looking full with a rounded stomach, large hips, and an ample bosom is in. Being well fed is a sign of wealth and status. Only the poor are thin."
"Why do we treat our bodies like we treat fashion? “Boobs are out! Butts are in!” Well, the reality is, manufacturing our bodies is a lot more dangerous than manufacturing clothes."
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"Stop throwing your body out like it’s fast fashion. Please treat your body with love & respect and do not succumb to the beauty standard. Embrace your body because it is YOUR own perfect body."
Image credit: @blogilates
People congratulated her on her positive project in the comments:
