Here we go again! The carousel of fashionable body types continues to turn, and with the rise of ‘90s fashion, there’s less talk of slim thick and more talk of size zero. Perhaps it’s something to do with the idea that different cuts of clothes naturally hang better on different shapes of body. So when low slung waistlines are en vogue, designers choose a less curvy body type to display their designs. But this is somewhat simplifying things and we think it’s being rather generous to the industry! So let’s have a look at these trendy body types and dig down to what they’re really about.
The who, what, when of body trends
It’s helpful to have a quick run down of a few of the body types that have had their time at the forefront of lifestyle headlines over the years. We can see the ebb and flow of shape as we move through decades with the clothing styles that moved in sync.
Bombshell
The 1950’s Hollywood bombshell was hourglass in shape. Marilyn Monroe style curves were actually pretty moderate and natural in hindsight! Fashions were tailored and chic, with cinched in waistlines that suited this shape down to the ground.
Waif
The social revolutions of the ‘60’s was reflected by fashions that were a lot more playful and flirty, with miniskirts and shift dresses that suited less curvy frames. Step forward models like Twiggy. With a waif-like, more angular shape, this body type became something women aspired to emulate.
Supermodel
Of course, fashion never stays still and by the 1980’s the women we saw on magazine pages had evolved into the supermodel. Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Claudia Schiffer all fitted into a toned mould that reflected the trends in activewear that was prevalent at the time.
Size Zero
With the resurgence of hip-slung waistlines and bum-skimming hemlines, the ‘90’s were all about skinny. In this decade ‘heroin chic’ was much talked about, with Kate Moss being an aspirational body type. Of course this was all problematic, even more so in hindsight, and by 2000 the size zero debate had reached a height.
Slim Thick
In fashion terms, it took a while for the next extreme body trend to gather momentum. With the increase in the accessibility and affordability of surgeries and body augmentation, from 2015 onwards the idea of ‘slim thick’ figures became commonplace. With figureheads such as J-Lo and the Kardashians, this toned look pairing a diminutive waist with large breasts and bum is pretty extreme.
Ballet Body
That extremity of the slim thick look has begun to tone down, with increased demand for the removal of implants reported amongst plastic surgeons. So the latest term for an aspirational body type is the ‘ballet body’. It’s inspired by the balletcore style trend, which pairs the romantic aesthetic of dancewear with the practicality of the rehearsal room: tulle skirts, bodysuits, wrap cardigans, stretch fabrics for example. Dancer physique is lithe and strong and takes a huge amount of work!
The why of body trends
When we explore the various phrases coined to describe popular body types from the 1950’s to today, we have to ask ‘why?’ This is a whole lot more problematic than simply defining the patterns that are evident. Because, really, it makes no sense! Women of one shape don’t cease to exist when fashion moves on, and surely the point of style is that we can all find ways to spin a look so that it suits us. That might mean choosing A-line skirts over flared hipsters because you feel more comfortable and confident. Or it might mean enlisting the help of a body shaper to fine-tune your silhouette under a favourite party dress.
Either way, your body shape is inherent, and any changes to it should be as a consequence of lifestyle changes, not the cause of them. If only all women could be given a shovel load of salt with which to take the images that are plastered across the media, and especially social media. Of course, that’s completely unrealistic: there’s no quick fix to this. But we hope that by tracking the path of so-called ‘trendy body types’, we can demonstrate that every body has a place – even in high fashion! Our advice? Mix and match fashion choices that work for you rather than wasting energy aspiring to the unrealistic. Choose styles that make you feel good and sit well on your own body shape, and you’ll always look your best.
Becky is a content manager who writes informed industry based articles for businesses and consumers. She’s written for Elle Courbee on women’s issues and fashion for a number of years.
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