The Evolution of Beauty

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and as the beholder changes, so does the definition of beauty. This post follows beauty through time; how the meaning of beautiful has evolved through history.

The Paleolithic Era (24,000-22,000 BCE)

The ideal body type during this time was characterized by large breasts, large hips and a heavy stomach. This wasn’t derived from what may be the most aesthetically pleasing. Since the only job women had was to bear children, the healthier they were, the more ‘ideal’ their body was.

Ancient Egypt (c. 1292- 1069 B.C.)

Women from this time were preferred (excuse me for my language; that's just how it was back then) slim, with high waists and narrow hips. Golden bright skin was considered attractive, and heavy eyeliner was worn by both men and women, as protection from the sun. Both usually shaved their heads and wore dark, long wigs instead.

Ancient Greece (c. 500- 300 B.C)

Women were considered a disfigured version of men. ‘Beautiful’ women were characterized as plump, full bodied and light skinned. They fashioned a unibrow and used to fill one in. Bleached, curly hair was considered trendy. Hair loss was common, and wigs became popular.

Han Dynasty (c. 206 B.C.- 220 A.D.)

The Chinese favored extreme femininity, and went to great lengths to pursue it. Slim waist, pale skin, large eyes and small feet were considered ideal. Foot binding was a painful surgery conducted to make the feet of women smaller.

Italian Renaissance (c.1400-1700)

The bodies women during this time reflected their social status. The plumper the woman, the wealthier she was. She was expected to have a full body with a large bosom and hips, round stomach and fair skin. Strawberry blonde hair with large foreheads was considered attractive.

Edwardian Era and the Gibson Girl

During this era, the corset was popularized. Cinched waists with extremely round hips to give an hourglass impression was highly desirable. The women were otherwise plump, with chubby, rosy cheeks.

Roaring 20’s

After a long era wearing tight corsets, women preferred it loose and free flowing. A flat chest, downplayed waist, a short bob hairstyle and an androgynous figure for women were highly preferred.

Hollywood in the mid-1900’s

Marilyn Monroe was the personification of ideal beauty during this time. The boyish figure of the 20’s was gone, and the curves of a women remained key. An hourglass figure was ideal, with large breasts and a slim waist.

Post-modern beauty (2000’s- Today)

Today, beauty is characterized by a ‘slim-thick’ figure. A health conscious diet, or rather vegan diet is promoted. Women are expected to have large breasts, and wide hips. Plastic surgery has been widely popularized by social media celebrities, along with the hourglass figure

Despite these eras, we come back to the problem that it is society who controls this definition, and not the women themselves. And in order to fit into this definition, women throughout time have been suffering through binding, starvation and more recently, cosmetic surgery, just to be considered attractive. Some of them may be doing it for themselves, but it is important for us all, as part of the society, to remove the definition of beauty altogether. Each one of us is beautiful, regardless of our sex, race, sexual orientation, nationality or religion. You are beautiful.