A study on the perceived attractiveness of female body shape

Abstract

Visual sense is a crucial means for judging female physical attractiveness. To assess the attractiveness of female body figures, a number of anthropometric measures defined in the literature were used, such as Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR), Body-Mass-Index (BMI) and Volume-Height-Index (VHI). This study focuses on quantifying the assessment of perceived attractiveness of female body shapes. First, critical and new parameters are defined to describe various body shapes, and the relative importance of these parameters in judging the physical attractiveness of female body figures is also examined. Next, an ideal figure is identified by collecting primary data in designed experiments among the Asian population. Moreover, factors affecting the assessment of female body shape attractiveness are investigated, including stimuli differences and gender differences. Upon identification of critical parameters influencing human's perceptions and judgements of body shape attractiveness, this study further applies the findings to digital print designs so as to enhance the perceived visual attractiveness of the wearers. A total of three experimental studies were conducted in the study, including 1) Influence of material stimuli. 176 subjects participated in the first experiment, and subjects were asked to rate the attractiveness of female body shapes, presented in different formats of stimuli - images with only 2D information (outline drawings) and those with 3D information (photographs). The differences in perception for different stimuli were compared with paired-sample t-tests. The results show that images with 3D information (photographs) are rated more attractive than images of the same body shape with only 2D information (outline). Although material stimuli influence the assessment of attractiveness, the perceived attractiveness of 2D and 3D stimuli are correlated. 2) Critical parameters for body shape attractiveness assessment and ideal body figures. After the first experiment, a total of 286 subjects participated in the second experiment. It investigated the ideal female body shape with realistic proportions by determining critical parameters that influence human perception and judgement of the physical attractiveness of the female body and their relative importance to the assessment. Different from the traditional focus on waist-to-hip ratios, this study identified important vertical proportion (leg length) in the assessment of female body shape attractiveness. A total of four parameters are essential for the assessment of female body shape attractiveness, among which hip width is the most important parameter. The second and third important parameters are the waist width and leg length respectively, and the least important parameter is shoulder width. The results show that a slender yet hourglass body shape with size 10 shoulder width, waist and hips is the ideal female body shape. Moreover, gender differences are found in the assessment of body shape attractiveness. Males are more tolerant of fuller bodies than females, and females prefer longer legs. 3) Enhancing perceived attractiveness by print designs. The third experiment involved 212 participants, who were asked to rate the attractiveness and perceived slimness of the same sized garments with varied digital prints. The results show that the best use of print designs can enhance the silhouette attractiveness.