Models: Then & Now

Today, we’re familiar with the societal pressure that goes along with the “ideal” body image, particularly among females. As skinny models populate most of today’s media, emphasizing an unhealthy obsession with thinness, women have always been under some form of pressure to look a certain way — even if that’s meant being more thickset in the 1940’s and 50’s.

Though it’s not talked about as often, male body image has also changed throughout the years from a lean, stylish look to a fixation on nearly impossible muscles and masculinity. Due to years of objectification, female bodies tend to be more exposed to the scrutinizing public eye, but men are also subject to similar pressures, just in a more subtle manner. Here’s a summary of the history of body image in the U.S., from the days of pale, buxom ladies to the 1980’s passion for women with lean, tan bodies, and finally, to the modern day body-positive movement.

The rail-thin model look came about in the 60’s, popularized by model icon Twiggy. Women adapted a slender, almost emaciated look, where curves weren’t as important as being rail-thin and elegantly fashionable. Farah Fawcett was a shining star in the 70’s and 80’s, glorifying the “hard-bodied” tanned female form. But as grunge took center stage in the 90’s, a new trend emerged in fashion, known as heroin chic. The 90’s was perhaps when the unhealthy obsession with thinness began, as Kate Moss herself coined the phrase, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

The past several decades have largely revolved around an “ideal” body image that involves skinny women - stick-thin actresses; the heroin-chic waif; or tall, lean, and tanned Victoria’s Secret models - but lately there’s been pushback from women all over the world who are tired of glorifying impossible female figures. The body-positive movement aims to overturn these outdated standards for women, and represent bodies of all shapes and sizes in the media.