The Changing Figure Ideal in Fashion Illustration

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the changing fashion figure ideal as represented in fashion illustration during the twentieth century. The ideal body forms and other appearance traits associated with fashionable women have varied notably during this time span. These changes have been documented and analyzed extensively in current literature. The related ideals presented for instruction in fashion illustration textbooks during the century graphically depict the evolution. Ten basic fashion figure diagrams appearing in textbooks published between 1918 and 1985 were analyzed and compared. Several line drawings derived from typical fashion editorial and advertising art supplemented these. The findings support the hypothesis that the changing fashion figure ideal in fashion illustration is influenced by and is a reflection of two major factors: (a) the "spirit of the times" and (b) the characteristics of each era's fashionable silhouette and apparel.