EAW

I realize that all this is in the eye of the beholder, but to me there is a big difference between high extensions (Suzanne Farrell, e.g. or, for her time, Sizova) and facile, loose-jointed opening of the legs in every direction (e.g. Guillem). Guillem can flaunt some very impressive physical feats, but does she have true ballerina line - that overall, shifting but centered harmony of movement as she goes from feat to feat? Not to my eye, especially compared to, say, Zakharova. Zakharova's extensions are often super-high, but they remain in proportion to the scale of the rest of her dancing. That's what is critical - not the height of the leg or foot, but how it fits into the rest of the dancer's line and performing.

Any list of Most Beautifully Proportioned Female Dancers has to include Jennifer Penney. Her dancing may have sometimes lacked power and presence, but what a body...and what a fluid, elegant, effortless technique. Anyone who missed seeing her onstage can catch a glimpse of her in an excerpt from "Manon" on YouTube. She stood out among Royal Ballet dancers for that fluidity, especially in the back and arms.