When it comes to beauty, standards have certainly shifted over the years – and nowhere is this shift more evident than in the garb of women. From the corseted silhouettes of the Victorian era to the body positive mantras of today, it has been an incredible journey that’s shaped the way we view fashion and, ultimately, ourselves. In this article, we take a look back to explore the evolution of changing beauty standards throughout history.
1. Celebrating the Evolution of Beauty
Beauty has evolved throughout the ages, from the vibrant colours of classical painters to the precision of modern photography we can appreciate the progress made to date. This makes it easier than ever to capture true beauty, be it in a person or in an environment.
From enhanced lowlight with night mode cameras to faster shutter speeds we can gain a better understanding of beauty in all its forms. Street photography, portraiture, and landscape photography have all seen dramatic improvements over the years and will only continue to improve.
At the heart of beauty lies expression. That could mean capturing an emotion immortalized in a photograph such as a catch-all moment between two lovers or the power of a tornado barreling toward you. Even if it something more subtle, like capturing the details of a city on a cool morning or a sunrise over a beach.
Evolution of beauty is worth celebrating. We can capture moments and scenes that decades ago were impossible. With updated hardware, software, and creativity we are able to reach new heights. Allowing us to each appreciate beauty in our own unique way:
- The patterns of the stars in the night sky
- Capturing street scenes with bustling energy
- Finding tranquility in nature
- Immortalizing special moments
2. A Quick History of Corsetry
The first use of corsetry was documented in the Middle Ages. The garments then were mainly used to help shape and support clothing, and create an upright silhouette. By the late 1500s, undergarments began to be developed more toward structure and support of the body.
Corsets Reach Popularity
As fashion in Europe changed, so did corsets. Glorified by royal fashion statements in the sixteenth century, the corset came to be an item of clothing used on a daily basis by ordinary people. The construction of the corset also changed substantially. They were fitted with supporting ribs and metal stays. Through the eighteenth and nineteenth century, corsets became more elaborate, and women would often wear them beneath even their simplest daily outfits. The corset would mold the woman’s body shape into the fashionable silhouette of the era- for instance, in the Victorian era, it was fashionable to maintain a wide waist.
Modern Corsetry
- Into the twentieth century, the corset became more of a fashion object than an item of clothing.
- This evolution arose from the changing requirements of contemporary women.
- Modern corsets are designed for shape and comfort, rather than constriction, and are used to complement rather than control the physical silhouette.
Fashion designers and high-end garment manufacturers have reinterpreted the traditional use of corsets and integrated them into modern-day clothes. Corsets have been distributed in various patterns, including plain and printed designs, to be worn in party wear, casual wear and intimate weddings.
3. Shifting Ideals for Women and Men
From the role of a homemaker to a professional, a woman’s responsibility towards the society has shifted drastically in the past few decades. In contrast, men’s roles have evolved, though not as rapidly. As our society is composed of both genders, acknowledging these changes is important for embracing a future in equality.
Women:
- In the past, women were expected to take on the traditional roles of motherhood, managing the household and being subordinate to men. But with the rise of technology and modernisation the ideals have shifted to that of equal opportunities and career oriented paths.
- Now, many women go to college, pursue higher education, find a job, and lead independent lives, making their presence felt in all realms.
Men:
- Traditionally, men were believed to be the sole breadwinners of their household. Though some men still fill this role, individuals across all genders are now taking on the role of being the primary financiers.
- Today, a man can take on homemaker roles too, collaborating with their female counterparts and making sure that the roles and responsibilities become shared.
These shifting dynamics between the genders are essential for women and men to take equal roles in helping each other achieve their dreams, be it professional or personal. By empowering both genders, we are not only embracing fluid roles, but also creating a flourishing society.
4. Exploring Rise of the Body Positive Movement
The rise of the body positive movement is an empowering and inspiring development in our culture. It encourages body acceptance and self-love regardless of size, gender, or race. In recent years, the body positive movement has significantly grown in popularity and visibility. Here are some of the factors motivating its success:
- Celebrity Support – Major public figures, including celebrities, models, and athletes, are speaking out to promote acceptance of diverse body shapes and sizes and to celebrate self-love.
- Advocacy Organizations – Advocacy organizations that have been devoting themselves to these ideals for years have teamed up with larger causes and influencers to call for a culture of acceptance, both on and offline.
- Digital Campaigns – New campaigns, created by people from all corners of the internet, are built to give a platform to self-love and to combat body shamers.
The rise of the body positive movement has translated to real actions. Brands and companies are creating body-inclusive and diverse collections that feature different body sizes and types. Governments are passing legislation to protect people from body shaming and to promote body positivity. Social media platforms are actively working towards improving their communities to reduce body shaming and to challenge body positivity.
The rise of the body positive movement has an impact on all aspects of society. Education has taken an increasingly prominent role, with projects and campaigns teaching children to accept and embrace differences, and schools are leading by example by developing positive body image curriculums. These changes, big and small, will have an impact for generations to come.
5. Finding Self-Love in the 21st Century
As technology expands and relationships become more and more digital-oriented, it can be difficult to exude self-confidence and open up to yourself. The pressure to achieve, to be something, and to be continuously connected can be exhausting. To better find self-love in the 21st century, it is important to value and practice the following:
- Acknowledge your visions and goals. Know that they are yours alone and nobody else can take them from you.
- Create balance between physical and digital interactions. Remind yourself that there is value in offline relationships, experiences, and activities.
- Learn to trust yourself and your decisions, then recognize when something needs to be changed.
- Reflect on how far you’ve come and your successes, whether great or small.
Recognize and accept your mistakes. Nobody is perfect and making mistakes is an inherent part of being human. What matters is that you learn from them and take steps to grow and improve. It is okay to not be okay. Embrace your emotions and trust yourself to make the decisions for your life that you feel best about.
By understanding that the pressure in the 21st century isn’t meant to break you, and instead to give you opportunities for growth, you can find ways to love yourself and become the best version of yourself. Trust yourself!
Having covered a long history of battling and embracing beauty standards, it’s clear how our society’s outlook on beauty has changed drastically over time. While it’s important to embrace our bodies and love ourselves for who we are, let’s not forget the stories from the past and the long journey that transformed how we view beauty today.
