Miss USA Pageant 2017: How Body Types, Swimsuits And Dresses Have Changed

Women from around the nation have competed in the Miss USA pageant since 1952 and throughout the years beauty standards have changed. From body types, to swimsuits to evening gowns, the women at the 2017 Miss USA pageant have a different look than the competitors from 65 years ago.

When the competition first began in the '50s, it was the age of Marilyn Monroe. Women with bombshell figures shaped like hourglasses were considered the most desired.

In the '60s, it was women with straighter figures, like model Twiggy, who had bodies that were the most sought after.

READ: Who Won Miss USA 2016? Deshauna Barber To Crown 2017 Winner

That trend arguably continued up until present day, when there has been a movement toward women with healthier looking bodies. In some cases, women who have toned figures spent by time in the gym are considered the epitome of beauty.

One of the things that almost changed was the swimsuit part of the competition. In 1996 Viewers were asked to vote through phone calls on whether bathing suits should remain. Most people chose to keep that part of the pageant. The year after, women in the Miss USA pageant wore two-piece suits for the first time.

Arguably the biggest change throughout the years of the pagent has been the evening gowns. Women typically wear whatever kind of dress is in style for that time. For instance, in the ‘80s it was considered fashion-forward to wear shoulder pads, just like the actresses from the hit show “Dynasty” did at the time. In the ‘90s, contestants opted for minimal slip dresses. Currently, competitors choose pricey evening gowns that are adorned with sparkle.

Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia took home the coveted title last year. She made headlines for being the first woman actively serving in the United States military to be crowned with the Miss USA title.

When she was asked about the expanding role of women in the military, specifically when the Pentagon said women could participate in combat roles, she garnered national praise.

“As a woman in the United States Army, I think it was an amazing job by our government to allow women to integrate into every branch of the military,” she said. “We are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit I am powerful, I am dedicated, and it is important to recognize that gender does not limit us in the United States Army.”

Barber didn’t grow up as a girly girl, but she fell in love with pageants. “To have that moment of glamour, to really get dolled up and so empowered on stage, show off all your hard work, your body, your gown, I fell in love with the industry and I've been doing it ever since,” she told Cosmopolitan last year.

It was difficult for her to learn to do her makeup at first. “Learning to glamour myself up more often was a growing pain. But after winning Miss District of Columbia USA, I really learned how to wake up and make sure that I look 110 percent before I walk out of the door,” she said. “Going from very homely-ish to getting glamorous was definitely my transition.” She added: “When I wake up, I just get up and go, and I throw on a little bit of foundation, mascara, eyebrow.”

Don’t miss the contest when it airs 8 p.m. EDT on Fox. The pageant will be hosted by “Dancing With the Stars” alum Julianne Hough and Terrence J. Performers like Pitbull and Brett Eldredge will take the stage.

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