Is fashion just a fashion? Or does it have an evolutionary basis?
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Female models presented in advertising, entertainment, and fashion shows are much slimmer on average than the general population. The fashion industry has been criticized for advertising a body type that would influence the self perception of young women, leading to eating disorders and concomitant health risks. Given the intense criticism one would expect a corresponding change in publication policies that would mitigate these negative effects. But a recent study that analyzed 25 years of published fashion records found no improvement. The present paper suggests an evolutionary explanation for why consumers prefer the unrealistic body type.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Author: Rudiger von der Heydt
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7196947293