The viral photoshopping Instagram experiment that proves the 'perfect body' is absolute BS.

Unrealistic body expectations are already a pain to deal with, without having to abide by what body type is in vogue or how your boobs/butt/hips/*insert body part in here* should look in an outfit, but if you think ‘trends’ are only reserved for fashion, beauty and interior decor, then you’d be wrong.

Thanks to LA-based online fitness instructor, and woman behind the popular Youtube channel Blogilates, Cassey Ho, her ‘perfect body’ experiment shows how the hunt for the ideal figure has fluctuated throughout history.

Cassey’s experiment saw her enlist the help of artist, Daniel Kordek, to photoshop her body into the desired body standards of six eras – from now to mid ’90s-2000s, early ’90s, 1950s, 1920s and 1400-1700 during the Italian Renaissance – and the difference between each era is remarkable.

Butts, hips and a tiny waist: Mid 2010 – 2018.

Looking at images of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Nicki Minaj as inspiration, Cassey says our current society is all about the big butts, wide hips and tiny waists… and you’ve probably seen this body type all over Instagram.

Victoria's Secret: Mid '90s - 2000s.

It's the age of the Victoria's Secret angel, big boobs, a flat tummy and thigh gaps are in. So are breast augmentations, which Cassey says was the highest performed cosmetic surgery in the United States.

Speaking of the 2000s girl, Cassey says: "She's tall, thin, and she's always got long legs and a full chest.

Heroin chic: Early '90s.

Think Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, the image of the angular, emaciated and super skinny model defined the early '90s. Thankfully this trend didn't last very long.

It's all about the hourglass figure: 1950s.

Further proof of fluctuating body standards, thanks to Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and the other leading ladies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, curves were in. From Marilyn Monroe's diet of raw eggs and full fat milk, to weight gaining pills, women went to great lengths for that voluptuous, curvy figure.

Flappers dominate: 1920s.

The up and down figure is the preferred body shape of the flappers - a group of young women who flaunted social values and were known for their love of drinking, partying and short hair. Clothes were cut for a draped column-like fit which called for minimal boobs and no curves.

The Italian Renaissance: 1400-1700.

During the Italian Renaissance, being curvy and full-bodied with a rounded stomach was more than just a beauty trend, it was also a symbol of your status and wealth. The thinking behind this was that if you were wealthy, you could afford food, and whereas if you were 'skinny', it was a sign that you couldn't. A lot has changed since then.

However, despite transforming herself into these figures, what surprised Cassey most was her response to her 'Perfect Body project'.

Even though Cassey thought that she might "secretly" prefer one of the body shapes, in the end she most likes the photos that look like herself.

"This project was so interesting to me because as I was looking at myself getting photoshopped, I thought that I might secretly like one of the results. But the super odd thing was... all of them didn't sit right with me," she said.

"As obvious as it is to say this, I didn’t look like myself in the photos. I actually much prefer my body just as it is.

"Sure I’ve got a small butt, small boobs, a soft belly, and hip dips, but I’ve also got powerful legs, strong shoulders, and a figure that is all mine – unlike anyone else’s."

 

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A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates) on Nov 28, 2018 at 7:49am PST

Cassey continued to question the societal pressure on women's bodies and blamed it in part to how the 'optimal female body' is portrayed by media, as well as the fashion industry, celebrities and influencers which promote these values

"You can’t just throw out a body part just because it’s 'last season'!!!" she wrote.

"Are you going to let someone else tell you that the way your mother brought you into this world isn’t good enough?"

And when you put it like that, she makes a good point.

What do you think of Cassey's 'The Perfect Body' photoshopping experiment? Tell us in a comment below.

Taryn Brumfitt is proud of her body and wants you to embrace yours.

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