We like to imagine that our mom’s generation — women who came of age in the ’50s — were curvier than they are today. At least, that’s the impression we get when we leaf through fashion magazines and come across the vintage photos of models in the 1950s. Talk about a different kind of body image!
But models aren’t average women, and a British lingerie company has released some interesting figures (no pun intended) on the body measurements of the average woman in 1957 vs. the one today, in 2017.
Their findings when they looked at then and now: In 1957, women had smaller waists and their breasts were much smaller. The average woman in the 50s had a 27.5-inch waist and her bra size was 34B; in 2017, women’s waists are 34 inches and they wear a 36DD bra. Other differences: Women in 2017 are almost 20 pounds heavier (154 vs. 136 pounds) and wear larger-size clothing (size 14 today vs. size 10 in 1957). The average woman today is also taller than she was in 1957–5’5″ vs. 5’2″.
All this suggests that our moms were more petite than we were. But the lingerie company did find that we are healthier than our moms despite our larger waists. That’s thanks to the exercise we do twice a week!
via DailyMail.co.uk
NEXT: Click through to find out the dress sizes Hollywood celebs wore then–and the crazy numbers they translate to today!
Celebrity Measurments Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch
Measurements: 37, 22.5, 35.5
Clothing size: 14
By today's standards: 2 to 8
Celebrity Measurements Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Measurements: 36B, 20, 35
Clothing size: 14
By today's standards: 2 to 6
Celebrity Measurements Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh
Measurements: 32A, 23, 33
Clothing size: 8
By today's standards: 00 to 0
Celebrity Measurements Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood
Measurements: 32B, 22, 33
Clothing size: 10
By today's standards: 0
Celebrity Measurements Ann Margaret
Ann-Margaret
Measurements: 35, 22, 35
Clothing size: 12 to 14
By today's standards: 2 to 6
Celebrity Measurements Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Measurements: 34A, 20, 34
Clothing size: 10
By today's standards: 00 to 0
Celebrity Measurements Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds
Measurements: 36, 23, 37
Clothing size: 14
By today's standards: 4 to 6
Celebrity Measurements Faye Dunaway
Faye Dunaway
Measurements: 34, 25, 34
Clothing size: 12
By today's standards: 0 to 4
Celebrity Measurements Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Measurements: 32D, 21, 36
Clothing size: 12
By today's standards: 2 to 4
Celebrity Measurements Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Measurements: 36C, 23, 36
Clothing size: 12
By today's standards: 4 to 8
Celebrity Measurements Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren
Measurements: 38C, 24, 38
Clothing size: 16
By today's standards: 8 to 10
Celebrity Measurements Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Measurements: 34A, 24, 35
Clothing size: 12
By today's standards: 2 to 4
