What Size Did My Favorite Blonde Wear?

Ah sizing. Marilyn was a size 16 and the 1950’s was just full of plus sized women who were told to love the skin they were in and even gain weight, right? No, the 1950’s was just like today with a 2/4 being considered the perfect size. When looking for a time of body positivity that encompasses/features women of all sizes, you’ll do better to look in our own time. So what modern size were our favorite blondes? Most were impossibly tiny.

Things to note: For this article I have used the Spring 1955 Sears Roebuck size chart versus the 2017 Sears size chart. All brands have left this system but I find it to be easier to use the same brand to show how sizes have changed.

I have used the studio published measurements of these actresses. Weight fluctuations and studios flat out lying are both factors but I don’t have access to any star’s dress mannequin. 

Some actresses had smaller waist sizes than what the size chart contains. Those have been marked with the smallest available size. 

For actresses that are inbetween sizes, I have used the bigger size.

Heavy tailoring was needed for almost all of these actresses.

These do not take height into consideration. Some women like Veronica Lake and Mae West most likely would have chosen petites and their figures may seem more exaggerated due to their height differences.

If you came here strictly for Marilyn, I recommend reading Scott Fortner’s article on sizing which you can find here.

Mamie Van Doren and Marilyn Monroe

Mamie – 36-22.5-35.5

Then:

Now:

 

Marilyn 37-23.5-37.5

Then:

Now:

 

Jayne Mansfield 40-21-35.5

Then:

Now:

Jean Harlow 34-25-36

Then:

Now:

Ginger Rogers 34-24-35

Then:

Now:

Anita Ekberg 40-24-36

Then:

Now:

Betty Grable 36-24-35

Then:

Now:

Carole Lombard 34-24-34

Then:

Now:

Grace Kelly 34-24-35

Then:

 

Now:

Veronica Lake 34-21-33

Then:

Now:

Kim Novak 36-25-37

Then:

Now:

Lana Turner 34-24-34

Then:

Now:

Mae West 38-24-38

Then:

Now:

Marlene Dietrich 36-26-33

Then:

Now:

Vera Ellen 35-24-35

Then:

Now: