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Photograph Reveals What The 'Ideal' Woman's Figure Would've Looked Like In The 1930s

Photograph Reveals 'Ideal' Woman's Figure In The 1930s
Natasha Hinde
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A photograph of model, June Cox, has offered an insight into what the "perfect body" looked like for women in the 1930.

June Cox, who was 20 years old when featured in an edition of Life Magazine from 1938, was described as having the "ideal figure" that modern American women wanted.

The 5ft 6 model weighed 124lbs and, according to TIME, was 12" around the neck, 6" around the wrist and 19.5" around the thigh.

And judging by this excerpt from Life Magazine, individuality definitely wasn't encouraged.

"The perfect 1938 figure must have curves but it differs from the perfect figure of past decades in relationship of curves to straight lines," said the magazine.

"In the 1890s women had full bosoms, round hips. In actual measurements they were probably no rounder than Miss Cox but they seemed so because they were shorter, tightened their waists into an hour-glass effect.

"Now, though, the ideal figure must have a round, high bosom, a slim but not wasp-like waist, and gently rounded hips."

Oh, must we now?

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Vintage Photos Of Women Exercising
1884(01 of29)
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Activity for girls - Gymnastics. Print 1884. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)
1890(02 of29)
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A young woman in a skirt working out with boxing gloves and a punching bag, 1890. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
1930s(03 of29)
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Buisiness Girls Doing Fitness On The Roof At California In Usa (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
1920s(04 of29)
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Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
1920s(05 of29)
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Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
1900(06 of29)
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Photo by SSPL/Getty Images
1905(07 of29)
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Photo by Museum of the City of New York/Byron Collection/Getty Images
1908(08 of29)
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Photo by Museum of the City of New York/Byron Co. Collection/Getty Images
1908(09 of29)
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Danish women gymnastics team practising at the 1908 London Olympics. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
1916(10 of29)
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The Women's Royal Naval Service During The First World War In The United Kingdom, WRNS officer recruits undergo physical training at Crystal Palace, London, during the First World War, circa 1916. (Photo by IWM via Getty Images)
1920(11 of29)
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Mae West (1893-1980), US actress, wearing a black swimsuit, lifting dumbbells during an exercise workout, circa 1920. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
1920(12 of29)
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Female gym class, England, Photograph, Around 1920 (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images)
1920(13 of29)
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Miss Paris doing her daily exercise, Photograph, Around 1920 (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images)
1920(14 of29)
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A woman exercising in a gym on a rowing machine in rather unpractical shoes. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1920(15 of29)
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Woman Standing Exercising In Bedroom Wearing Pajamas Arms Stretched Out Mirror Vanity Lamp In Background Sleepwalking. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)
1921(16 of29)
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A woman using a stationary cycle. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
1925(17 of29)
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A young lady in a leotard directs her energies at a punchbag, circa 1925. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1925(18 of29)
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Two women riding a mechanical horse; a means of keeping in perfect trim. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
1928(19 of29)
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A woman using a vibrating belt to trim her hips. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
1928(20 of29)
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A fair visitor to Deauville tries out the thrills of the water cycle, a number of which are now making their appearance at the fashionable French resort. (Photo by Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images)
1929(21 of29)
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Fitness: Exercises for the stabilization of the backbone and the wrist in the Westminster Hospital School for Massage and Medical Gymnasts, Photograph, England, Oct, 24th 1929 (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images)
1930(22 of29)
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Elsie Connor was elected as the healthiest Chorus girl on the New York stage, seen with her boxing gloves. USA. Photograph around 1930 (Photo by Austrian Archives (S)
1930(23 of29)
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Fitness training for Revuegirls, Photograph, Around 1930 (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images)
1930(24 of29)
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Bodybuilder Charles Atlas (1892 - 1972) demonstrates the Electric Vibrator, an innovative aid to muscle development, to Miss Beth Milton, circa 1930. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1930(25 of29)
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American actress Gloria Swanson (1899 - 1983) lifts a pair of small weights while a set of rings hang over her head. (Photo by Ernest Bachrach/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images)
1930s(26 of29)
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Smiling Teenage Woman Jumping Rope For Exercise Wearing Shorts And Polka Dot Halter Top Outdoor. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)
1934(27 of29)
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12th June 1934: Women at a physical training school take a lesson outdoors in Dartford. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
1935(28 of29)
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A woman straps herself into a health wheel for a bout of exercise, 1935. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1938(29 of29)
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Women doing pushups at Rose Dor Farms, a weight loss camp. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/Pix Inc./Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

[H/T Time]

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