Beauty Standards
Beauty standards have sure changed.
Photo credit: Library of Congress via pingnews
The above photo, taken in 1919, is titled:
“Miss DuBois Ferguson, who has been judged physically perfect.”
Would she be considered “perfect” by today’s beauty standards?
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Carla responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 10:15 pm →
She has a beautiful smile and the camera loves her. But would be be considered “perfect” in 2008? In a word, no. At least not to the masses or mainstream media. To be fair, this was 1919 and styles and looks have changed. She probably would not have been considered “perfect” in 1925 even.
Its kind of strange, but this does make me think about how I feel about myself and my looks. It took a LOT for me to even post a full facial picture of myself last week! Maybe one day Ill post a full body picture such as yours, Vered.
Carla’s last blog post..LA Times: California launches broad effort to control hazardous chemicals
Davina responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 10:16 pm →
Hi Vered. Sadly, I have to say no, not perfect; not without some Photoshop work. And that is too bad because there is really nothing wrong with her, except for the hair
Yes I have to agree, times have sure changed.
Davina’s last blog post..Free Spirit My Ass!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 10:47 pm →
@ Carla: I completely agree with what you said. Re your own photo, you are a beautiful woman. Surely you know that.
@ Davina: “there is really nothing wrong with her, except for the hair” haha I agree, that hairstyle is awful.
Mike Goad responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 11:04 pm →
True, standards have changes, but, even back then, I wonder who judged her physically perfect.
I’m sure that she would have been considered beautiful, but while many might have considered her “perfect,” most, of course, would have considered her attire to be quite scandalous.
Just like now, it’s “all in the eye of the beholder.”
Avani-Mehta responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 11:16 pm →
Loved the picture. It’s so fresh, carefree and innocent. Sadly, it wouldn’t work in 2008.
Avani-Mehta’s last blog post..Honor Your Anger Style : Anger Management Series Part V
Barbara Swafford responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 11:25 pm →
Hi Vered – Isn’t it sad that in 2008 she would be considered anything but physically perfect. Yet, when I look at her, she’s quite attractive, and has a beautiful smile. And you know what? She was probably very happy with her physique. If only……
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Biggest Misconceptions About Blogging
Scott McIntyre responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 am →
Miss Dubois Ferguson certainly looks like she’s the life and soul of the party, Vered!
In those days when black and white photographs usually showed austere faces and staid poses, she seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself (actually, I’m not surprised she’s grinning so widely given that she’s just been judged as being ‘physically perfect’!
If we answer your question with the viewpoint of today’s media, then I’m guessing that Miss Ferguson would not be the editor’s first choice to make the front covers.
However, there are many perspectives on what constitutes attractiveness.
The media cannot control all of society’s views of what is beautiful.
After all, everyone is considered beautiful by someone- whether it be by a parent, a partner, or a friend.
Not everyone is persuaded by the physically sculpted, digitally manipulated images we are force fed.
So, I guess that there are still many today who would say Miss Ferguson is beautiful.
On a related point, I wonder what your views are on beauty pageants such as Miss USA, Miss World etc. where looks/ saving the world are sought after qualities?
Max Forlani responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 am →
Hey,
From a physical point of view, I assume she is indeed perfect having two legs and arms, with respectively 10 toes and fingers, a head, etc. So even these days she would be physically perfect.
From an aesthetic point of view, you could argue that she was and still would be perfect, based on the fact that her body is proportioned.
From a fashion and medical point of view however, these days she would be above the currently accepted standard. But then again, in Rubens’ times, she would not have been considered perfect either, for being not plump enough.
Norms change. Sometimes based on new medical knowledge, but sometimes seemingly arbitrary. And you’d better follow the new norm, or you’re out. The same with clothes and fashion, or even electronic gadgets (mobile phones, iPods, etc.) It’s human nature I guess to try to improve (and sometimes fail miserably in it), to create cliques and to adapt ourselves accordingly.
Cheers,
Max
Max Forlani’s last blog post..Preparing Junior’s Arrival – Step 1
Laurie | Express Yourself to Success responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 am →
Sure she’s perfect – we all are – just depends who the ‘judge’ is.
But I have to agree with you about the hair…
Laurie | Express Yourself to Success’s last blog post..Helpful Habits
Avital responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 am →
She surely would not be considered perfect under today’s standards, but… should she be considered “perfect”. Is there a perfect body? Should there be a perfect body to suit all body types and shapes? Or maybe the same problem we are facing nowadays, a dictation of how should we all look, was always there… The fact that miss Du’Bois isn’t skinny as hell, doesn’t make it right to categorize her body under ‘perfect’.
April responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 am →
I’m guessing it depends on who you ask
April’s last blog post..My Hump, My Hump, My Lovely Wednesday Hump…
BC Doan responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 6:03 am →
I love the picture! She looks full of life, and she is perfect in term of health, confident, and beauty!
Tara responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 am →
Her legs are about the size of most of today’s “perfect” women’s waist!
Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder.
Tara’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Scrumping
Suzie responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 6:42 am →
I think she looks gorgeous. So many women are painfully thin. And photos of women have them all cowering in corners as if they are being attacked. Its nice to see someone healthy and happy for a change
Suzie’s last blog post..And On and On It Goes
Mia responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 am →
If society can change their ’standards’ back to this era, that would be great. Then I will be considered the Goddess that I already think I am.
M responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 am →
The media would probably not put her in a positive category…unfortunately! I think it is sad how the media portrays healthy women as ultra thin. An interesting post, one to ponder. thanks!
M’s last blog post..Kindness
Cath Lawson responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 7:53 am →
Hi Vered – Today she would be too short, too pale and too fat. And that hair would definitely have to go, or at least be straightened. Also she has no make up on, which would be a big no no now. She does have a lovely smile but to fit in now she’d probably need botox, so she wouldn’t have that anymore either.
We are so lucky now though – we have so many products to improve ourselves. I doubt whether they had so much back then. I laughed when Liz Hurley criticized Marilyn Monroe for being to fat. Sizes were so much smaller then. When I was very young – I wore a size 10 (american 6) but if I was the same weight now, I’d need a 6 (American 2).
Jennifer responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am →
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
It is not appearance alone that makes someone beautiful…. I think back to the movie Shallow Hal… that was awesome.
SpaceAgeSage -- Lori responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 am →
Interesting that many of us judge her as “not perfect,” even if it is just her hair. I see a person alive and having fun, who can do what she wants with her hair and not care. Self confidence is more beautiful than looks.
Lori
SpaceAgeSage — Lori’s last blog post..Fall’s memories, melancholy, and magic
Kim Woodbridge responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am →
Who has decided the standards? The media? If the media polled people and asked what they thought was beautiful would it be the ultra thin, blond, blue-eyed waif? I don’t think so.
I love how happy DuBois looks. I wonder how many women were trying to gain weight to look more like her …
Kim Woodbridge’s last blog post..WordPress – How to List Recent Posts from One Category
Evelyn Lim responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 am →
She sure has a happy look. And from the angled pose, she appears sensual too. You’re telling me that men nowadays wouldn’t desire her?
Don Mills Diva responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 am →
Wow.
Sadly, I don’t think she would even be considered overly attractive today, despite her wide smile and obvious confidence.
Don Mills Diva’s last blog post..Extra! Extra! Scandal-ridden DMD drops out of political race
Dave Jones, CPA responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 am →
If I have to judge a book by its cover….I think if she updated the hair style she would look pretty darn good in 2008. Looks and style just like everything must change.
kate responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 am →
She looks perfect to me!
Healthy, confident and wise.
Perfect even for 2008. We really need to get our priorities straight.
I love what Dove is doing in this regard.
Friar responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 am →
Today, that hairstyle would be considered a birth-control method.
Friar’s last blog post..Dear Solar System
Lance responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am →
I agree with what many have said – she has a very beautiful smile.
But today, no, that wouldn’t cut it. It’s about measurements meeting some certain criteria, fixes here and there to take away something that “shouldn’t” be there – and then airbrushing/photoshopping after that to make “perfect”. So, today – sadly – that would not qualify as physically perfect….
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 am →
@ Mike: “most, of course, would have considered her attire to be quite scandalous.” – of course. I assume it’s one of those “naughty girls” photos that used to circulate back then. Here’s a link to “Naughty Nancy” from 1926:
Naughty Nancy
@ Avani-Mehta: I agree, it wouldn’t work now.
@ Barbara: “She was probably very happy with her physique.” Exactly. She’s what, size 6 in today’s sizes? If she lived today, she would probably call herself “fat”.
@ Scott: Oh, don’t get me started on beauty pageants! Half-naked women marching and dancing in front of a huge audience, showing their bodies off like they were merchandise for sale, pretending to be intelligent and to care about world peace, while the judges pretend to care about anything other than their physique. Gag.
@ Max: It’s true. We keep trying to “improve” but sometimes we fail miserably.
@ Laurie: It does depend on who the judge is. But if the judge is society in general, I don’t think she would be considered perfect, or even attractive, today.
@ Avital: I agree. It’s interesting that back then, they sought perfection. Their definition of perfect was very different than ours, but the very fact that they looked for perfection was problematic.
@ April @ BC Doan: true.
@ Tara: Haha indeed. But her body size is more normal than today’s norm.
@ Suzie: I agree that she’s at a very healthy weight. I’m pretty sure her weight would be considered healthy today, medically speaking. But at a size 6 and no breast implants, she would not be considered “perfect”.
@ Mia: “Then I will be considered the Goddess that I already think I am.” I think it’s wonderful that you love yourself!
@ Mark: I agree!
@ Cath: Wow, everything you said about her is so true. Also agree about the sizes – it’s ridiculous. When I first arrive at the States (10 years ago) I wore a size 4. Now I’m the exact same weight and proportions, but I need to buy a size 0!
@ Jennifer: “It is not appearance alone that makes someone beautiful” – this is very true. Self confidence is hugely attractive.
@ Lori: “Self confidence is more beautiful than looks.” – I agree.
@ Kim: “I wonder how many women were trying to gain weight to look more like her” – there are vintage ads that tell women “don’t be skinny” and sell pills that supposedly help gaining weight.
@ Evelyn: I asked Ido and he said she’s attractive.
@ Don Mills Diva: I agree!
@ Dave: So you agree with my husband. Glad there are sane males out there.
@ Kate: The Dove campaign is an important one. Especially the movie on retouching.
@ Friar: Haha it would.
@ Lance: I completely agree. She’s attractive – but does not meet today’s criteria of “perfect”.
Dot responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 am →
My friend Elaine says, perhaps not politically correctly, “Why should a bunch of gay men in Paris dictate what I wear?” By the same token, why should a bunch of straight men in Hollywood dictate how I look? If only they didn’t have so much influence on men outside Hollywood.
Writer Dad responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am →
I like meat on the bones. Anorexia does nothing for me, and perfection is too hard to maintain. She looks perfectly wonderful to me.
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm →
Friar…little brother, its no wonder you are still single, your big sister is coming to get you…
But…I would have to say her hair could use a little work. As for the rest, I love her smile and her energy and I bet she is a lot of fun. We are all crazy to want skinny frozen botoxed women who can’t even remember what their own personalities are like.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations’s last blog post..Tealights and Time
Marelisa responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm →
Hi Vered: I think she’s so full of life and seems so at ease and sure of herself that she could convince people she’s beautiful even if her features and her measurements are not the ones we normally associate with beauty in 2008. When I was in college I had a very dear friend who was not beautiful if you focused on on her features, but she gave off so much self-assuredness that everyone would turn to look when she walked by.
Marelisa’s last blog post..Four Outstanding Thoughts on Innovation
Shalee Clark responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm →
I have to agree, in this day and age she wouldn’t be considered “beautiful” or perfect. But what is beauty and perfection? Is it skin? Is it the hair? Is it your body shape?
Look at people in the remote tribes in Africa. We ( as westerners) would not consider their beautiful women as beautiful to us. But to them they may look like super models and vice versa for them our woman who are models may not be attractive to them.
To everyone beauty and perfection is different.
Both my husband I believe that we belong in the 40s. He likes his woman with curves and I have them. I know I don’t look like the woman that are considered beautiful today, but many people could be considered beautiful in a completely different era.
Its amazing how genes work out huh?
Beauty and perfection have many different definitions.
Shalee Clark’s last blog post..Holidays and birthdays
Kelly@SHE-POWER responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 3:56 pm →
I think in this photo she looks happy and confident and THAT is beautiful. As for beauty standards changing, well that’s a fact. She would be a plus size model today, but maybe not considered pretty enough – though hard to tell without modern styling and photoshopping. Who knows what any model looks like bare faced and unadorned?
The thing I find so ironic is that today, in a world where there is an extreme inequity in the distribution of wealth, the ‘perfect’ body shape in the wealthy countries is the starving bodies of the poorer countries. I was sick this week and mom gave me some mags to kill time and I couldn’t believe how thin some of these actresses on tv and in film are now. Not only are they bony, but most of them have heads that are too large for their bodies. The worst thing is they then claim they are like this naturally, which is utter crap because people who have always been thin look in proportion from my experience. It’s like I said in my “Australians are fat and badly dressed” post, French women are super thin, but they are so tiny and delicate in every way they look great like that. Kind of like you, Vered
These Americans actresses, however, look starved!
Aside from media images, I think the way a woman feels about herself is what makes her beautiful. In the flesh, anything can make someone beautiful – a smile, a dimple, a great laugh. And imperfection can be very very sexy. I love a man with a scar, for example. I think we should forget about how we’re told to feel about ourselves and just work on loving ourselves exactly the way we are. Me, I’m a curvy brunette with freckles, a big bum, great boobs who are slowly heading south and an apparently killer smile. Wishing I was thin, green eyed and exotic looking (I have done this a lot) is pointless.
Lucky my hubby likes a big bum and freckly girl next door looks
Kelly
CK Lunchbox responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm →
She looks like she’s got hairier legs than me.
CK Lunchbox’s last blog post..Subprime Crisis: An Interactive Experience With Stick Figures
UrbanVox responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm →
I’ve been working with Studio Photography for the past 3 years…
Let’s put it like that… I would much ratter photograph someone like her than half the girls I get to do today…
If half the photographers thought like that size zero would die…
The ofcourse we need to convince the bloody stylists…
but hey…
zya!
UrbanVox responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm →
btw… LOVE the template!!!
zYA!
Christina responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm →
The sad part is that her outfit would be considered “retro” and “in style” but her body/figure would be considered overweight these days. How awful.
Christina’s last blog post..Friends – Quote from Amanda Grier
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm →
@ Dot: I think she’s right about fashion.
@ Writer Dad: I love your attitude!
@ Wendi: Friar is your brother?? “We are all crazy to want skinny frozen botoxed women who can’t even remember what their own personalities are like.” – awesome sentence. I am copying and saving it.
@ Marelisa: I completely agree about the importance of self-confidence. It IS more attractive than beautiful features.
@ Shalee: I’m pretty sure that today’s skinniness would be considered very unattractive in many places outside of the Western world, and definitely in past cultures.
@ Kelly: I love your comments, Kelly. You are so bright and you write so well. “The thing I find so ironic is that today, in a world where there is an extreme inequity in the distribution of wealth, the ‘perfect’ body shape in the wealthy countries is the starving bodies of the poorer countries.” – this is very true and very disturbing.
@ CK: Oh come on, surely you can manage to be more politically correct than that?
@ UrbanVox: OK, so the majority of the photographers and stylists are buying into the skinny ideal. Sad. I’m glad you like my template.
@ Christina: I agree – she would be considered overweight.
Emsxiety responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 pm →
I think she is absolutely beautiful. But by todays standards, nah they’d rip her to shreds. Sad isn’t it.
Emsxiety’s last blog post..Tomorrow is one month..
Friar responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm →
@vered
Hmmm…not sure. One of my comments might have gotten eaten.
But seeing how this was 1919, do you think the lady was pretty, because she used one of those face-harness nose-thingies? (That you talked about on your September 9 Post?)
Friar’s last blog post..Peak Performance
Bamboo Forest responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 pm →
Very interesting photograph.
While I certainly wouldn’t judge her as ugly; I also wouldn’t characterize her as being in the realm of my dream girl
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..7 Things That Happen in Movies – But Probably Not to You
apricot tea. responds:
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 pm →
I would like to know how old this woman/girl is. She looks 12!
& I agree with what Christina said. But our standards today, she would be considered plus size, easily. Especially since it’s rumored that plus size models are size 5s.
J.D. Meier responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 am →
I was once judged physically perfect, but I think my Mom was biased. Maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
J.D. Meier’s last blog post..Strengths and Weaknesses vs. Personality Profiles
Link Love Friday | Mark Salinas, MN | Healthy Living Today [Nutrition, Fitness, Weight Loss] responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 2:31 am →
[...] shows us how Beauty Standards Have Sure Changed, why do you think they [...]
Single Woman Talk » Becoming Beautiful: Why do I even try? responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 am →
[...] cursory you’re-a-female-under-the-age-of-40 glance-over. Have our beauty standards changed from this to this? Do we really need to airbrush ourselves in order to avoid repulsing our friends and [...]
Robin responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 am →
I wonder how she would look if she was photographed today, with a contemporary look.
But anyway – as for the type of people who would actually think she was too fat – who CARES what they think.
Robin’s last blog post..Ice And Global Warming
Munchkins and Music responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 am →
I don’t know why they have changed, but they have changed a lot! I wonder why….
Munchkins and Music’s last blog post..Clean Songs for Teenagers
feefifoto responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am →
Since you closed comments to today’s post I’m commenting here. Thanks for posting about your favorite commentators; I trust your judgment and added a few to my reader. I’ve been wanting to add Friar for a while because Rita speaks so highly of him, but I’ve been to shy and too lazy to pursue it.
feefifoto’s last blog post..Just Plain Silliness
Stacey / CreateaBalance responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 am →
I think she looks perfectly healthy. The twigs shown in photos today are not perfect. They are usually too skinny and physically unhealthy.
Stacey / CreateaBalance’s last blog post..Yes, Oprah Really Did Call Me
Dr. J responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am →
The one consistency in beauty seems to be symmetry in all cultures. My grandmother was a symmetrical beauty in her day!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 am →
@ Emsxiety: “But by todays standards, nah they’d rip her to shreds.” Very true. If she were a celberity today, the tabloids would do exactly that.
@ Friar: Haha maybe she did, she does have a cute nose.
@ Bamboo Forest: I agree. Looking at her now, she looks cute in a girl-nest-door kind of way. From the media perspective, I think she would be considered way too plump.
@ apricot tea: “it’s rumored that plus size models are size 5s.” That’s crazy.
I think she looks young because she’s not wearing makeup. Makeup makes you look older.
@ J.D.: Thanks for the laugh.
@ Robin: Interesting question. No doubt part of the reason she’s not appealing to us is simply the way her look was styled.
@ Munchkins and Music: They did.
@ feefifoto: Glad you found more reading material.
Sorry about closing comments. I am going to experiment with closing comments once in a while.
@ Stacey: She does look healthier – and happier – than today’s models.
@ Dr. J: It’s true. Still, it’s interesting that despite this basic prerequisite to beauty, it changes so much between generations and cultures.
Natural responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm →
Would she be considered perfect? Um I think she would be considered Photoshopped. As mentioned, perfect by who’s standards. Maybe back then, today she would probably be a reject.
Sara at On Simplicity responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm →
I don’t think the beauty or electricity of a sincere smile ever really fades. It’s always attractive, regardless of current beauty standards.
Sara at On Simplicity’s last blog post..Three Ways You Relax and Unwind
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm →
@ natural: “today she would probably be a reject.” I agree.
@ Sara: I agree that a beautiful smile – as well as self confidence – are very important. But I don’t think she would be “judged physically perfect” today…
Rosabel responds:
Posted: October 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 pm →
The beauty does change in time. Old generation will see women with a bit fat is beautiful as they find them healthier and can produce baby. Young generation nowadays looking for slim body figure, some even goes to the extreme that want their body to look skinny so that they are pretty with any dresses like the supermodels. However, their health is affected badly. I guess beauty is from the heart. Carry a smile on the face all the time and bring the sunshine to the people around us, that’s beauty!
Rosabel’s last blog post..Finger Painting with the Little Ones!
RC responds:
Posted: October 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm →
She is very attractive, I think, but in today’s world, her legs would be too fat, and that pose actually shows she has a fuller face. Egads!
I think there is no such thing as “perfect,” though, as I see beauty in all shapes, sizes, colors and forms.
RC’s last blog post..Certified!
Al at 7P responds:
Posted: October 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm →
She has a genuine smile that kinda reminds me of Reese Witherspoon. Other than that, the beauty standards used today are unfortunately so vastly different than those used back then.
Al at 7P’s last blog post..Guest Post at Write to Done
Dr. J responds:
Posted: October 4th, 2008 at 2:52 pm →
I know this may be a bit out of the box, but just consider, if this beautiful woman was 25 today, she may well have been the type of individual who would work to be at least considered very pretty today. Not necessarily in an unhealthy manner.
Never wish for something you have been given the ability to earn.
Dr. J’s last blog post..Nibbles: Calorie overload messes with brain, dieters gain more pregnancy weight and Queen Latifah loses
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 5th, 2008 at 8:58 pm →
@ Rosabel: I agree that extreme thinness is unhealthy, especially when maintained by unnatural methods.
@ RC: I agree that there’s no such thing as perfect, yet the media tries so hard to achieve perfection by erasing “imperfections”.
@ Al: I agree! She does have a love;y smile – and would not make the cut today.
@ Dr. J: “Never wish for something you have been given the ability to earn.” True.
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pm →
Hi Vered,
No she wouldn’t be judged perfect by today’s standards. Where are the boobs? Where is the lip job? The tan?
I think she is terribly cute. I just want to hug her. E
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Happy Pigs Play in the Mud
Tracy responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 12:03 pm →
Probably not, she doesn’t have natural wind in her hair. /ANTM judges
Tracy’s last blog post..The Paranoid Mom Reviews New Products: The Slanket
D responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm →
Vered,
I don’t think she would be physically perfect by today’s standards, but I think I’m coming at it from a different point of view than you are. I don’t think there is a clear rule of physical perfection today, as there (apparently) was in 1919.
Many of your posts revolve around the ridiculous standards set by fashion models, but it’s unfair to say that this standard is pervasive in society. I’d say the target audience for the ideas of fashion models are women (most of whom hate them, but… think they are beautiful?) and gay men.
If there is a broad societal standard for beauty, I would say the groups that contribute to it most are Hollywood actresses and popular musicians, and they are a pretty diverse group. Jennifer Lopez is widely considered beautiful, and has dark hair, a naturally dark complexion, a curvy body type, and large buttocks. Charlize Theron is also a popular Hollywood beauty, and the values of her defining features are almost the exact opposites of J-Lo’s. Also different are the dark-haired cutie-beauties like Katie Holmes and Drew Barrymore (as well as Kirsten Dunst and Alyson Hanigan, who are often pasty-white and red-haired), and African-American beauty queens Gabrielle Union and Alicia Keys.
D responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 3:08 pm →
I realized I didn’t finish my thought.
I agree with apricot tea– her facial features look about 12 years old. To me (and, I think, most people) facial features are far more important in assessing physical attractiveness, and certainly in assessing “beauty,” than body shape or size. The standard for this, as well, seems to have changed a lot over the past 90 years, but to me, her face is beyond youthful and “cute,” and looks downright child-like.
Shevonne responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm →
She looks like Reese Witherspoon if she lost a little weight, different hairstyle, and change of clothes. I think women with curvy bodies are beautiful, but I guess many people don’t, which is sad.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm →
@ Ellen: “Where are the boobs? Where is the lip job? The tan?” Haha EXACTLY.
@ Tracy:
@ D: Women don’t hate models. How can I hate someone that I’ve never met? What I hate, or dislike, is the choices that models are making and the impact that those choices will have on my daughters when they’re a bit older and decide that they need to starve themselves in order to look like a model.
@ Shevonne: I agree!
D responds:
Posted: October 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am →
Vered, I’ll drink to that.
Don’t take this as a personal accusation, because I think you’re doing right by your children. Parenting goes a long way. Just as good parenting can keep boys from thinking they need to be drug addicts or violent criminals in order to be cool like rock stars and rappers, I think good parenting can also make girls understand that true beauty does not come from ill health.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 7th, 2008 at 1:33 pm →
@ D: True. I’m doing my best to model healthy habits.
dishthehappyfish responds:
Posted: October 8th, 2008 at 1:09 pm →
Ill health comes in all shapes, sizes and colors.
D responds:
Posted: October 8th, 2008 at 2:13 pm →
@dishthehappyfish: Absolutely. But none of them are beautiful.
dishthehappyfish responds:
Posted: October 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm →
hmmm….I was thinking the opposite.
I was ugly thin for 35 years and healthy as a horse, despite frequent comments from others that I was not.
My beautiful blond and very very large breasted sis inlaw just had those glorious breasts lopped off to save her life. She has always been so sickly, always on antibiotics and such. She was never less beautiful to me in her chronically diseased state.
contact lenses cleaner responds:
Posted: October 10th, 2008 at 12:15 pm →
That model picture would most definitely NOT be considered much of anything model wise in 2008. Yes, how the standards have changed. And it’s horrible how easily women have let them. As women allow themselves to be put down by today’s standards things get worse and the women are the ones that suffer from it. It’s like feeding the fire when we insist on squeezing ourselves into the latest skinny styles and gym the trash out of ourselves instead of just embracing what we are (if we are at a health place that is). Really the pictured model just looks plain healthy. There is skin around her knees and elbows, and her legs are gorgeously shaped. Healthy. Not saying that women should be happy at triple X sizes because most likely their health and energy levels are low. But no need to be stressing about not having an inch of fat either. Find a balance.
contact lenses cleaner’s last blog post..Cosmetic Contacts
Tammy Warren responds:
Posted: October 10th, 2008 at 2:22 pm →
What a beautiful heartfelt site. This is my first time over.
This is a beautiful lady in the picture and no she would not be considered that today. That is so sad. I worry a great deal about the images that my son are going to expect of women as they mature and age. There is so much pressure today for all women to “look” a certain way. My eight year old even notices a woman having “fake” boobs. This is where society has brought us.
Tammy Warren’s last blog post..My Attentive Heart…do you have one?
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm →
@ Contact: I agree about finding a balance.
@ Tammy: Thank you so much! It’s true that there’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way and not much acceptance of anything that strays from the norm. You worry about your sons… I worry about my daughters.
Shalee responds:
Posted: October 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am →
Vered,
I know I have already commented on this post but you might find this website very interesting:
Characteristics Of Beautiful faces
It deals with what we consider beautiful and the experiments they took to find out the standard for beauty.
Shalee’s last blog post..Holidays and birthdays
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pm →
@ Shalee: Thank you! This is fascinating.
Gunfighter responds:
Posted: October 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am →
Today, when we consider anyone above a size four to be “fat”, this woman couldn’t have a career in show-business unless she was a character actress who plays “the fat woman” or “spinster sister/aunt”
Gunfighter’s last blog post..Some Questions For The McCains & Gov. Palin
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 13th, 2008 at 11:57 am →
@ Gunfighter: sad, but true.
Body image and plastic surgery | responds:
Posted: October 14th, 2008 at 2:25 pm →
[...] you enjoyed this post, you might also like: 10 Reasons To Stop Reading Women’s Magazines Beauty Standards Have Sure Changed Non-Botoxed Actresses. Awesome. Powerful Men, Half-Naked [...]
Sandier Pastures responds:
Posted: October 18th, 2008 at 6:22 am →
When we see photos of women in the 20’s: full curves and sometimes even a double chin! or art during the Renaissance period: wide hips and (gasp!) flabs, a (gay) friend always say to me, if only you lived during those times, you would be perfect art material! LOL!
Sandier Pastures’s last blog post..Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt – Family
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 18th, 2008 at 1:11 pm →
@ Sandier: As long as we live in a well-fed society, I suspect that thinness will continue to be the ideal.
Jennifer responds:
Posted: October 21st, 2008 at 12:53 pm →
We have all heard it before: A woman’s confidence helps make them attractive. Miss DuBois Ferguson did not appear to have any confidence issues. Some of the world’s curviest women have been sex symbols: Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendez, J-Lo, Madonna (in the 80’s), Bridgett Bardo and even Brittney Spears. I am sure you will agree, these women appear to have confidence. With regard to the media and the fashion industry, they have trouble with curves, because no two women are alike and to make their fashions presentable, they must advertise them for “stick thin” women. Thus, we see ads of 14 year old girls (made up to look 25), wearing clothes that are falling off of them. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to each his own. Perspective comes from many different angles. We know this when we look at ourselves in the mirror at the store and wonder, “Is this REALLY the way I look?”
Scarlet responds:
Posted: October 27th, 2008 at 7:56 am →
I have gone over and over in head thinking of a way to put this more elequantly, but I just can’t because it was my first thought and its sticking!
Why oh why are we having a discussion about perfection??? In my book, where physical appearance is concerned at least, this is a forbidden word!!! I once heard a great sentiment: “Love what ya Mamma gave ya”!
Isn’t that just gorgeous….just like every woman on this earth, big, small, short, tall….they all got wobly bits in the right places for the right reason!!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: October 27th, 2008 at 5:39 pm →
@ Jennifer: It’s true that confidence is the single most attractive thing a person can have.
@ Scarlet: I couldn’t agree more. Striving for perfection is always a bad idea. People are not SUPPOSED to be perfect and who decides what’s “perfect” anyway?
Media Portrayal Of Women | responds:
Posted: November 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm →
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How about a new take on celebrities? « Living Healthy in the Real World responds:
Posted: November 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm →
[...] This is an absolutely fantastic post/photo of beauty in 1919. It looks to me as though “beauty” and “healthy” were synonymous during those times… why can’t beauty and healthy mean the same thing in the present day? Categories [...]
I Read A Vogue Article And Now My Brain Hurts | responds:
Posted: November 26th, 2008 at 4:04 pm →
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Retouching As An Act Of Kindness - Blogger For Hire responds:
Posted: July 27th, 2009 at 11:42 pm →
[...] Critics are saying that even if most of us are aware that the photos are manipulated, we don’t realize how extreme the manipulation is, and so the “perfect” ideal that those photos create is damaging to women and creates body image issues, because it sets impossible beauty standards. [...]