History of Beauty Contests and the Ideal Female Measurements of the 1950s

History of Beauty Contests and the Ideal Female Measurements of the 1950s
This entry is part 11 of 32 in the series CheeseCake Pinup Magazine - 1953

This is an article about the ideal female measurements, and a short history of beauty contests. Did you know that the first Miss America (in 1921) was 5 foot 1, weighed 108lbs, had a 30 inch bust, 25 inch waist, 32 inch hips and brown hair with blue eyes? In comparison, Evelyn Ay, the 1954 winner, measured: 5’8, 132lbs, 37-24-36.

In 1938 the Mrs. America was started, and from 1947-1953 held in Asbury Park NJ but moved to Ellinor Village Florida for the 1954 contest. Mrs Erna Snyder was Mrs. America in 1954, and her measurements were: 5’4, 115 lbs, 34-23-34.

Lastly, here is a chart and a picture to demonstrate the perfect female form of the 1950s, as decided by Vincent Trotta, a Miss Universe judge. He claimed that it was proportion, so a woman could be taller or shorter, just proportional.

The “perfectly proportioned” 5’4 woman of 1953 measured:

  • shoulder slope 20 degrees
  • neck 14 and 3/4
  • 35.5 bust
  • 22.5 waist
  • 36 inch hips
  • 22 inch thighs
  • 12 inch calfs
  • 15 inch knees
  • 8.5 inch ankles

Interesting history of beauty competitions, eventhough I don’t quite understand it all!

How do you measure up to the 1950s female beauty standard?

Series Navigation<< History of Women’s Swimwear and Sports FashionsA brief history of women in sports, part II >>

Special Collections:



Other posts in series:

Pin It on Pinterest

Like this? Share This!

Share this post with your friends!