< Romans and the Tunic A Short Pictorial History:
Cultural Attitudes Towards Female Breasts
European Art and American Sensibilities >
Fourteenth century fashions emphasized straight tubular bodices that completely flattened the breasts.

Medieval Dress Flattens Breasts

Breasts were de-emphasized even further in the 14th century by straight tubular bodices that completely flattened the breasts. Wide full skirts and high ruffled collars drew attention away from the breasts. Medieval dress was designed primarily for functionality with a few concessions made to emphasize the female form.

From the early 1400s to 1700 the female beauty ideal in Western culture was a big breasted, plump, and somewhat maternal looking figure. For instance, it was during the Renaissance that female décolletage became truly fashionable. Wet nurses fed the babies of the upper class. Firm, upward pointing breasts instead of the sagging breasts of a wet nurse or peasant were an indication of social status.

European Art and American Sensibilities >

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