Although there is a shift in American and global perceptions of beauty
The definition of beauty is evolving. Women no longer need to rely on “ad men” to tell them who is beautiful or not, thanks to social media’s ability to showcase oneself to the world. Alternatively, women can appreciate beauty in all its forms and sizes by showcasing their inherent beauty through social media posts that receive tens of thousands of likes.
There is evidence to suggest that people’s perceptions of beauty are changing in both America and the rest of the world. The typical lady is evolving. The average woman is no longer a size fourteen, according to a new study that was published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education. What is meant by that? To find out, continue reading!
Over 5,500 American women were examined for the study. According to the research, women’s average body size has increased over the past 20 years. American women’s typical waist sizes at the start of the new millennium were a trim 34.9 inches. It now averages 37.5 inches, an increase of 2.6 inches. “Greater distinctions” that are “found when considering race and ethnicity” are the reason for this development.
“We hope that both the industry and consumers can use this information.” According to Susan Dunn, one of the study’s primary specialists, “many women find that just knowing where the average is can help them with their self-image.”
And we hope that the garment industry will see the numbers and understand that these women are here to stay, that they will not vanish, and that they are deserving of clothing,” she continued. It’s still debatable whether or not clothes should fit properly—both in terms of style and measurements—and should be accessible somewhere other than thrift stores or online. Why not?
These days, the typical American lady wears a size sixteen to eighteen. These are the plus-size range’s smaller end. Maybe it’s time for the fashion industry to stop designing clothes for stick-figure models who have to starve themselves in order to fit into tight outfits and start designing clothes for actual women.
clothes designers are urged by the research to revise their definitions of plus-size clothes and ordinary sizes. Clothing needs to be modified to reflect the fact that the average American woman’s size has increased. Clothes need to be modified to accommodate the modern American woman, not expecting women to fit into something they simply don’t fit into.
At Washington State University, Dunn and Deborah Christel, the study’s co-author, are professors of textiles, design, and clothing retailing. They conducted the research and were able to demonstrate that the typical American woman no longer wears a size 2. Rather, the typical lady shops in sizes 16 and 18. When the winds of change sweep across the nation, specialists in the fashion business will either have to adapt their wardrobe selections to reflect the typical woman or risk being left behind.
How do you feel about this shift in style?
