Women In The Renaissance Era

In 1292 – 1069 B.C., ancient Egypt presented a basic idea of feminine beauty standards. In this era, women were ideally built with a slender torso, narrow shoulders, high waistlines, and symmetrical faces. These specific female attributes became ideal in society because women were encouraged in their independence and beauty (Fletcher, 2011). It was also during this time wherein society promoted a sex-positive environment where pre-marital sex was entirely acceptable and women could divorce their husbands without shame (Van Edwards, 2016). However, these beauty standards were completely altered during the Renaissance Era (1400 – 1700), when women were women were meant to embody virtue and were often separated from men both in public and at home (Radford University, n.d.). Contrary to the ideals of ancient Egypt, women during this period were more voluptuous. Society today would recognize them as the “fat” ones, but at this time in history, curvy women were the epitome of sexiness. For the first time in recorded history, women were praised for their natural bodies (Uku, 2010). The 1920’s, otherwise known as the Roaring Twenties proved to be another defining period in the history of beauty. During this age, women were fond of boyish bodies. The fewer curves, the better. Women favored an androgynous look, downplaying their waists …show more content…
With movements such as feminism, Love Wins, and Black Lives Matter, diversity has more or less become an accepted part of society. This is also the age wherein makeup, plastic surgery, and hair extensions add to beauty’s expense (Chunn, 2011). However, though today’s beauty standards seem to be flexible and lenient, a certain standard still remains praised. As seen in Victoria Secret Fashion Shows and the iconic family show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, women are more often than not still subject to a certain