History Repeats Itself...Finally

As one who has a huge affinity for fashion history, I have a clear understanding of the changing silhouettes that have reigned queen of the beautiful for various societies throughout time.  The majority of Americans know what a corset is and know that it played a significant role in ladies' undergarments at some point in history.  It did, in fact, stay in fashion in a multitude of versions for hundreds of years.  So manipulating a woman's body to achieve a desired look is nothing new.  However, take a gander at the following pieces of artwork:

The first is a sculpture entitled Aphrodite who, as many are aware, was a Greek Goddess.  You don't get much more perfect than the body of the Goddess of Love.  The second is a painting from the Renaissance when corsets when in vogue.  And yet look at this painting of women.  Notice the "back fat" on the woman on the left.  Her thighs are touching.  And the woman on the right would be considered "fat and grotesque" by our modern standards, but the artists of that time found the soft curves of the naked female body to be beautiful.

A fun historical fact about men's definition of beauty through its revolution in time...In our current society, a man's masculinity is defined by his upper body.  We see photos of men with the defined "V" chest silhouette, an 8-pack stomach, and those definition lines by the groin.

But did you know that during the 18th century in Europe (that would be the time of Marie Antoinette), a man's attractiveness was not based on his chest at all?  In fact, it was very often covered with "frou frou," which is the technical term for the lace, embroidery, etc. that their often times elaborate clothing displayed.  What women deemed attractive was a man's calves.  Yes, his lower legs.

You will notice in the photo above that the man is placing his leg outward and the painting clearly shows a defined calf muscle.  That is because it was showing attractiveness.  This would have been a very handsome man with the large, firm calves; powdered wig; and slightly effeminate gestures.  Dandies, as they were called, were the most desirable of men.  They were very flamboyant and indulgent.  

A little fun thing to do if you have the time.  Watch the movie "Dangerous Liaisons" with John Malkovich and Glenn Close.  There is a scene when John Malkovich's character is attempting to seduce Glenn Close's character as he moves up a staircase.  If you know what you're looking for, you will see that he is placing and flexing his calf muscles for her.  Just a fun historical fashion note!

So, where are you going with this, Ms. Blogger?  I'll tell you.

In the 1960s, fashion made a drastic change for the skinny and we haven't looked back...until now.  My sister sent me this article:  http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/swedish-mannequins-cause-a-controversy--192108535.html

Although we don't know which store displayed these mannequins, they created a controversy.  What I find interesting is to compare these mannequins to the Renaissance painting:

Similar, are they not?  They are so similar it's amusing.  

We're not doing anything different or new with these "fuller figured" mannequins.  We are, actually, reverting back to a definition of beauty that was prevalent for centuries prior to the 1960s.  

Is change finally on the horizon?