So it takes a recession to bring back the curvaceous body type? I just read an interesting blog on Recession Wire regarding the body sizes of woman historically. During the roaring 20's the female figure slimmed down to the waif look and women used to bind their breasts and curves to be chic. Then during the Depression, the female figure went back to the shapely, healthy curves.
Through-out history, the size of women has often been a reflection of the current society and its socio-economic status. What I do find surprising is, as nations began industrializing, it seems like the body image began to shrink even more. And when we were at our height economically as a nation through the last decade or so, the female figure was alarming svelte. Heroin chic is something I could never quite figure out, but damn did Kate Moss pull it off well.
It just seems so completely counter-intuitive. On my visit to Mali, West Africa, my sisters and I were considered "fat" to them. They were very intrigued by our weight and it was a sign of wealth to them. The children used to grab the backs of our arm fat in complete awe. Now, I don't claim to be skinny by any means and I know I need to lose some "baby weight" still, but I have always been happy with my body image. I consider myself a healthy, corn-fed Midwestern gal.
One would make a natural correlation with a full figure and wealth. It makes sense that if you have money, you eat well. But not in America or the EU. Well, I am happy to report that if this recession hangs on or we drop into another depression, then remember the bright side ladies! Hopefully the body image will shift back to one that is more shapely and healthy and we won't have to beat ourselves up because we have breasts and hips. Time for a beer!
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