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21. Look M

Description:
By 1919, the slender silhouette evolved into a completely tubular “barrel” line. The waistline of dresses dropped to the hips and in some cases completely disappeared. By 1925 short skirts revolutionized and scandalized by revealing women’s calves. The shortened hemlines were widely denounced and even punishable in some places. The new ideal body ideal was more androgynous than ever before. The desire for a curvy body was gone and boyishness was the new craze. The streamlined, petite, flat-chested figure became the look of the day. This dress was purchased at the Lucile Ltd. salon in Paris, one of the outposts of Lady Duff Gordon’s international fashion enterprise.
Date:
ca. 1924-1927

22. Look N (Maternity Girdle & Bust Flattener)

Description:
In the 1920s, women began to wear bust flatteners, like one shown here, to form their bodies to the boyish tubular silhouette that was considered ideal at the time. Corsalets, which combined the brassiere and girdle, were popular foundation garments used to flatten the abdomen and hips into a smooth, almost imperceptible curve. The girdle featured here was designed for a pregnant woman and is adjustable to accommodate the changing body. Maternity corsets of the 19th century and maternity girdles of the 1920s onward were less tightly laced but still shaped women’s bodies and minimized the appearance of pregnancy.
Attribution:
Unknown
Date:
ca. 1920s-1930s, 1920s

23. Look S

Description:
In the 1960s, the fashion model Twiggy introduced and inspired a new silhouette: the thin and boyish figure. Long skinny limbs and narrow hips came into style. In contrast to the weight-gain supplements of the 1950s, a record number of amphetamines were prescribed for weight loss in the ‘60s. With the post-war baby boom, the mid-late 1960s became a youthful era, which saw bright colors, psychedelic prints, and the introduction of the miniskirt. The miniskirt was possible because of technological advances in synthetic fibers (particularly nylon) and knit manufacturing processes, resulting in the invention of pantyhose, which were originally patented as “combination stockings and panty” in 1956. Previously, garter belts were used to hold up over-the-knee stockings, but would have been visible on the mid-thigh. Pantyhose covered the entire leg all the way up to the waist, and therefore made the mini-skirt possible. The vinyl dress shown here is characteristic of the “mod” look of the time.
Date:
ca. 1964-1967

24. Look U

Description:
The fitness craze of the late ‘70s became even stronger in the ‘80s with the explosion of aerobics. High-cut leotards emphasized the length of the leg, a key aesthetic component of the ideal ‘80s figure. The thong leotard was highly popular, showing off toned gluteus muscles. With the growing popularity of exercise, control of body shape continued to revolve around diet and exercise.
Date:
ca. 1980s

25. Look W

Description:
The toned ‘80s babe gave way to the waifish, “Heroin chic” supermodels of the early ‘90s. Miniskirts and jeans were widely popular, showing off slim legs. Camisole tops emphasized slender shoulders. Thin was in: the ideal female figure was small and slim-framed.
Date:
ca.1990s

26. Look X

Description:
Pant-rise reached an all-time low in the early 2000s. The low-rise jean sat on slender hips and showed off toned abs and sometimes the top of a thong on the backside, while tight baby Ts emphasized breasts. The Juicy Couture tracksuit was a fashion staple of the early 2000s. Celebrities and everyday youth alike donned the low-rise velour sweats and zip up hoodies, showing off flat stomachs, toned behinds, and perky breasts. In the world of undergarments, Spanx were introduced in 2000, once again bringing an element of external control to the body.
Attribution:
Juicy Couture
Date:
ca. 2005-2006

27. Look Y (Waist Trainer)

Description:
The Kardashian-Jenner family has become a major influence in the world of fashion, especially in terms of female body ideals. With the increased prevalence of cosmetic surgery and widespread Photoshopping of models and celebrities, body ideals have become more unrealistic than ever. Therefore, it is not all that surprising that a new form of corsetry has come into fashion: the waist trainer. Look X includes a waist trainer and butt lifter from Waist Gang Society, the brand endorsed by the Kardashian-Jenner family. The company claims the waist trainer “helps you lose those extra inches, and provides abdominal support. This reshaper may reduce the appearance of your waist up to 2 sizes and straightens your torso and back for great posture instantly. This garment helps you lose those few inches at the waist that just won’t go away with exercise or diets.”
Attribution:
Angel Curves
Date:
2017

28. Look Y (Butt Lifter)

Description:
The butt lifter comes with instructions to “wear it daily for 6 hours minimum or sleep in it nightly. It will enhance your buttocks naturally!”
Attribution:
Waist Gang Society
Date:
2017

29. Look Z

Description:
Today fitness continues to impact ideals of the female body: just look at the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Angels, pictured on the backdrop. Victoria’s Secret started their “Angels” line two decades ago with commercials featuring high profile models. Over the past 20 years the Victoria’s Secret Angels have become a symbol of the ideal female body. While they have always been tall and slim women, it wasn’t until this decade that the models started showing muscle definition. Magazines and fashion news sources encouraged this trend by asking the models for details of their workout routines. In 2017, Victoria’s Secret started their Victoria Sport line, of which this ensemble is part. Now, a toned figure with a slim waist and ample buttocks appear to be the ideal female form.
Attribution:
Victoria's Secret
Date:
2017