These 20th Century Beauty Standards Were Once Considered the Ideal

1980s

Big hair, bold makeup, and big shoulder pads defined the decade of excess. Aerobics wear and fit bodies were frequently featured in print, TV, and in films. The rise of supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford further defined what we saw as beautiful.

Bodybuilding became more popular and changed what we thought the “ideal man” should look like. Films like Rambo, Rocky, and Terminator informed the ’80s sense of male attractiveness. Muscle shirts became very popular (muscles optional).

1990s

Many dresses at the time emphasized straight lines (like the slip dress), though the babydoll dress was also a huge seller during the ’90s. Dark make-up colors echoed the silent film stars of the ’20s, and a range of hairstyles from pixie to long meant there was a look for everyone.

Fellas during the ’90s were often torn between flannel shirts and sports gear and suits were being worn much less often. Straight leg pants, worn baggy, and boxy jackets created a bulkier silhouette. Vintage aesthetics were coming back into fashion and stars with retro hair, like Jason Priestly, were wildly popular.

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