Study Reveals Stability in Fashion's Body Ideals Despite Increased Diversity
Bodies in fashion: Diversity is up, but the ideal stays the same
Image: Phys.org
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzes nearly 800,000 fashion images from 2000 to 2024, revealing that while ethnic diversity among models has increased, the ideal female body type remains largely unchanged. The research highlights a disconnect between fashion models and the average body size of women in the U.S., emphasizing the need for deeper changes in industry standards.
- 01The study analyzed 793,199 fashion images, finding that the typical female model's body size has remained stable over time.
- 02Diversity in fashion has increased, with non-white models rising from 13% in 2011 to over 40% in recent years.
- 03Plus-size models are still smaller than the average American woman, indicating a limited overlap between fashion imagery and reality.
- 04Regulatory interventions like the hard body mass index requirement in Milan led to a noticeable decrease in extremely thin models, unlike softer regulations in France.
- 05The burden of representing diversity often falls on a small group of non-white models, suggesting that gains in diversity are not uniformly distributed.
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A comprehensive study published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences* examines nearly 800,000 fashion images from 2000 to 2024, revealing that despite a notable increase in diversity, the ideal female body type in fashion remains unchanged. The research, led by Louis Boucherie from the Technical University of Denmark, indicates that while the representation of non-white models has surged from 13% in 2011 to over 40%, the typical model's body size has not shifted significantly. Plus-size models, categorized as such in the industry, are still generally smaller than the average American woman, highlighting a stark disconnect between fashion standards and societal norms. The study also explores the impact of regulatory measures on model selection, noting that a stringent body mass index requirement in Milan effectively reduced the presence of extremely thin models, unlike the more lenient certification system in France. Ultimately, the findings underscore a paradox: while visible diversity has increased, the core aesthetic standard remains resistant to change, suggesting that true progress requires a fundamental shift in industry norms.
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The findings highlight the disconnect between fashion standards and the average body size of women, which could influence body image perceptions and mental health.
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