Yesterday, my friend and I were talking about what is considered skinny, fat and “normal” in terms of body type these days. The conversation was brought about after going to get alterations done on a (Pakistani) outfit for a wedding as the lady doing the alterations commented a couple of times that she thinks I’m overly thin. I was a bit surprised as I’ve always found my size (I’m a UK size 4) to be within the normal range and I’ve seen loads of people that size. That brought up the question of what is considered “normal” these days.
I know every culture has its own idea of beauty and what it considers aesthetically appealing, so I was wondering, what is considered “normal,” skinny and fat in different cultures and traditionally, what has been the preferred body type? Has that changed with current trends?
In Pakistan i feel like skinny bones is considered thin/attractive...if you're curvier or have a figure...you are called 'sehat mand' - which is code for "kinda fat". I don't mean curvy like someone overweight tryig to pass as curvy...i meana proper womans figure. This is my experience from my cousins who've lived their lives in Pak. All girls. This has been the case since i was 10 yrs old. My cousin was the same age and she'd call me fat cos my collar bones didn't stick out like crazy =/ Their ideal figure is a woman who is flat as a board and bony skinny. The older generation doesn't seem to care unless you're obese...but like middle-age and onwards...it's all abt being extremely thin and figureless.
Here (US)... i think woman are turning more to the womanly/fit figure than the stick thin, bony figure.
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
Traditionally in Pakistan (as well as in India and Bangladesh) curvier and chubbier bodies were considered ideal.. I'm a UK size 6-8 and until I got my chest done I was often considered 'too thin' by aunties.. It obviously gave the illusion that I was larger lol.. By western standards my natural frame would be considered slim but still healthy..
Katrina Kaif's body type tends to be the desi ideal.. Tall and curvy.. I remember on some US gossip site ppl were calling her 'chunky' as she's not as typically slim as most US or European celebs and models..
Kareena Kapoor was called a size 0 in Bollywood when in reality she was nowhere near that, not by western standards anyway..
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
There is somehow this false, misconceived perception that for some reason 'fat' women were considered desirable (or some people just try to make it sound like). At least in classic English literature and society, proportioned, slightly tall, curvy and voluptuous yet 'soft' looking women were considered attractive.Then there are whole lot of others who romanticised nymph like fragile and light bodies.
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
^That's what I've never understood. If someone went on a super strict diet and starved themselves to remain thin or has other health issues, then yes, I would think it's unhealthy. But, why is it considered unhealthy if you're naturally thin, though?
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
In Pakistan bone thin is considered attractive and too tall isn't good either. My sister is 5'7" and has broad shoulders, but isn't fat and everyone keeps going on and on about how tall she is.But you shouldn't be too short either.
Personally I think anywhere between a healthy thin is nice to a cute chubby like Sanam Balouch. Anything more than that is not attractive in my opinion.
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
LP, I think so too. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a diff b/w the Punjabis and the rest…where the former prefer the hatta-katta look?
Cuz I was told often that I looked “kamzor.” But meh…it could just be the strange thought process of some of my relos that never lets a person win. If you out on a few pounds…you’re fat…if you lose weight…it’s “haaw haaye maari…kamzor…etc.” And if you are thin but lighter-skinned…you will be seen as “healthier” than the one who is thin and darker skinned. Also, one is not supposed to mind the comments because they are said out of concern and “behtri/bhalai.” But strangely the ones freely dishing out the remarks are less tolerant of receiving the same comments.
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
Read my post woman. With my relos…at times there appears to be a rating system or method to their madness. I think it goes something like this fair and chubby>fair and skinny>dark and chubby>dark and skinny. But then I’ve even seen dismissal of girls who are generally thought to be attractive. So maybe there is no system and it’s just a case of I-am-more-soni-than-the-rest. You will find more peace when u stop trying to figure it out.
Re: Traditionally, what body type was considered idea in the different cultures?
First of all Shaadi Mubarak ho aapko.:)
Well in Pakistan people still find skinny as attractive and the girls starve to death just to get that look but I really never get attracted to thin girls at all even I was brought up in Pakistan and talking from guys pov I prefer kinda curvier body.
