Beauty Trends Through the Ages
What is considered beautiful by society’s standards has changed quite a bit throughout the course of history. These changes are due to many different factors that have played a role in what is ultimately deemed beautiful, as illustrated by the following infographic. This include things like fashion trends and popular culture, which can redefine a previous generation’s idea of beauty drastically to meet the expectations of those on the cutting edge.
While a svelte figure is largely preferred these days according to popular culture, this wasn’t always the case. Consider the Italian Renaissance; during this era a woman’s ideal figure included ample hips and bust, which only served to accentuate the hedonism of the time period. Conversely, the 1960s body archetype for women is perfectly illustrated by the ultra-slender model Twiggy, who heralded a shift towards a thinner and more androgynous look. As time progresses, body types are sure to change yet again, possibly veering back to the ample figures of days past.
As collective perception changes, so does the shared concept of beauty. In many cases, prevailing beauty standards may be out of reach for many women, which can lead to diminished self-confidence. It’s important that all women should feel beautiful in their own skin, especially when outside the norm of the mainstream. After all, in another place and time these women may have been upheld as shining beacons of extraordinary beauty.
