Average body measurements of French women and models in 2016
In 2016, the average size of a model was of 1.80 meters while French women were on average 1.67 meters tall. The fashion and beauty industry appear to have set physical and appearance standards which do not correspond to the reality of the bodies of most of women all over the world. Thus, in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive in 2018, 60 percent of people in France admitted to have physical complexes.
Fashion industry vs reality
According to the source, which shows a comparison of body measurements for the average French women and female model, models are taller and slimmer than the average French woman. For instance, the average hip circumference of a French woman reached 100 centimeters, compared to 86 centimeters for a female model. With height excluding, French women had also more centimeters when it comes to chest size or waist circumference. Unrealistic body images have an impact on the way individuals, and particularly younger generations, perceived their appearance and their body. In a study from 2009/2010, 37 percent of French girls aged 13 years old declared they thought they were too fat. This number even reached 52 percent among German female teenagers the same age. The belly, as well as the hips, are often the least loved body parts of French people because of being considered not thin enough
Body care in France
Body care, and mostly face care, is very common in France. Most French consider that the face is the body part they take most care of. The country is known for its drugstores (also called parapharmaceutical shops), which represented 15 percent of the beauty and hygiene market value in 2014. Yves Rocher products, as well as Diadermine or Avène, are among the preferred skin care products of French women. In 2018, the total sales revenue of hygiene products in France amounted to more than 10.3 billion euros.
Fashion industry vs reality
According to the source, which shows a comparison of body measurements for the average French women and female model, models are taller and slimmer than the average French woman. For instance, the average hip circumference of a French woman reached 100 centimeters, compared to 86 centimeters for a female model. With height excluding, French women had also more centimeters when it comes to chest size or waist circumference. Unrealistic body images have an impact on the way individuals, and particularly younger generations, perceived their appearance and their body. In a study from 2009/2010, 37 percent of French girls aged 13 years old declared they thought they were too fat. This number even reached 52 percent among German female teenagers the same age. The belly, as well as the hips, are often the least loved body parts of French people because of being considered not thin enough
Body care in France
Body care, and mostly face care, is very common in France. Most French consider that the face is the body part they take most care of. The country is known for its drugstores (also called parapharmaceutical shops), which represented 15 percent of the beauty and hygiene market value in 2014. Yves Rocher products, as well as Diadermine or Avène, are among the preferred skin care products of French women. In 2018, the total sales revenue of hygiene products in France amounted to more than 10.3 billion euros.
