How Women's 'Perfect' Body Types Changed Throughout History

By the '60s, the culture began to shift. People weren't happy just to have a house and car, sitting at home as a housewife. Young people rebelled against the constricting ways of '50s, and with Twiggy becoming the most famous model of the age? Thin was (back) in.

The '70s saw greater freedom for women, but skinny was still the ideal. Farrah Faucett may have had a larger bust than Twiggy, but she was still rather petite. Makeup and fashion tilted toward a more natural look. Looks weren't as bold as the swinging '60s and hair was worn natural and very long.

When the '80s rolled around, the Supermodel era began. Women were meant to be tan, tall, thin, but slightly athletic. Hips got much smaller, though large breasts were still the rage. Women were influenced more by models than actors for fashion and body trends, while models continued to be wildly thinner than the average person.

Just when it seemed like the ideal body couldn't get any thinner, in came the '90s. Kate Moss came along to give Twiggy a run for "skinniest model of all time". The Brit model with a BMI of 16 and that famous "heroin chic" look became popular. Funny that both the '90s and the Victorian era modeled good looks after people who were, quite literally — dying. With waif models in vogue, the '90s presented the thinnest feminine ideal in history.