![]() While in the past it was the opposite, higher class were indicated by the heavier body it has taken a full turn compared to today’s society expectation. As mentioned previously, the question of social class was always involved within the question of body image. On one end of the scale is the slim slender body, an ideal that is largely accepted as the norm in most Western cultures (Gemma and Witcomb 2013). ![]() To quote Kim Chernin, the “tyranny of slenderness” has begun. It also includes a discussion on anorexia and bulimia and how exactly the current body image ideal has negative effects towards its customers. ![]() Susan Bordo’s Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body publication explores body shape and its effects on social class, while looking at the moralistic and emotional toll it has on the individual. From the slim and sleek looks of the 2000’s we almost come full circle, where woman are once again celebrated for their curves, while also putting an emphasis on the need for maintaining perfect abs and little body fat. The question of body positivity wasn’t even a topic in the early 2000’s. In the wake of the new century there was a new wave of agenda to support the idea of a strong, independent woman who is equally sexually liberated. As we reach modern times, its worth mentioning how quickly the ideal body shape changes. It was the time when the pear-shaped body were never used in a positive context and the thought of “skinny girls are the pretty girls” was a statement that largely started to get romanticized. The “heroin chic” were introduced in the 90’s – it was a time of super skinny, angular bone structure. Women would do anything for this idolized image even if it meant taking weight gaining pills. Only three decades later the hourglass figure, with wide hips, a skinny waist but large breasts were the new ideal, mirroring the figures of Marylin Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. To archive the perfect silhouette for the flapper dress, women often used tight strips of cloth around their chest area for the boyish, minimal looks. It was the time of the straight figure, the beginning of the time when woman started to hide their curves. An interesting contrast with how these views had completely changed by the 1920’s. It been said, that they are more of a reflection of the times values and ideas than realistic representation at the time (Zhao, 2017). ![]() However, it’s important to mention how accurate the paintings are when it comes to the ideal woman. Being heavier also meant fertility, while someone with a thinner body had to work all day for food. Their physique was a representation of their social status, because of this, someone with a bigger bust would indicate they had more wealth to their name. However, at the same time women had no political rights and were seen as objects to be owned by their fathers and husbands. During the time of the Italian Renaissance, between 1400-1700 it was an age that focused on celebrating the presence of curves on women. Throughout the course of history, the ideal body shape for women has changed massively. The aim of this paper is to focus on various factors and present a compelling argument of both sides, to conclude whether the fashion industry should become more inclusive of varying body types. As the fashion industry undergoes a major representation revolution, its important to question if inclusivity is something that should be supported by the main narrative. The main goal of this paper is to investigate the ever-changing ideal body of women and what effects this has on women’s physical and mental health. Throughout this paper both ends of the spectrum of the female form will be investigated, from the slender body to female obesity, with consideration to factors such as the male gaze, and how this influences how we approach the question of skinny or fat. This paper will discuss the different body types of woman and the way in which this is presented in the fashion industry.
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