I have always found such interest in how fashion has changed so much over the years, how it has evolved from very little to a lot. The way it if effected by the social occurrences within eras and how people have conflicted from he norm of that era to change the way fashion is. All in which, is a continuing cycle where trends fade and appear and are adapted. Some are classics that have never faded and some are fads that had their time.
Fashion in the 1900 was based purely around class. This era was all about the S-bend- a corset that the richer would wear creating a S shape in the women figure to push up their breasts, give them a tiny waist and a bigger bum. This would be worn under their clothes and usually would be pared with a long skirt or dress. This would signify wealth as corsets were very unpractical and as the upper class would not be working it wasn’t unpractical as they didn’t move around a lot. Clothing was dark, quite boring and it wasn’t acceptable to show skin. Therefore women legs were not on show due to the long narrow skirts. 1900 fashion was effected by the Civil war, leaving it to be slightly dull, boring and formal.
Though following through to the 1920’s after the first world war had just ended (1914-18), fashion started to see a change. The Jazz age hit. Glitz, glam, partying, generation gap, hemlines shortened to the knee so women would show off their legs more. Gold, silver and black were popular colours worn in this time. The Gaston look was the popular trend within this era, where women wanted to look boyish. This is because when the men where at war, the women filled in for the soldiers so once they came back women wanted to stay in these roles and not just be seen as the house wives. So they would wear very loose fitted clothing high was a big change from the S bend, dropped waistlines, pleated skirts, stocking became popular. The Flapper dress was the iconic garment- this loose fitting dress gave women the slim, shapeless figure whilst being practical and sophisticated.
The little black dress was an iconic garment made in the late 20’s which was designed by Chanel. This garment was seen as a big shock to society when it was brought out, as Chanel created a dress she wanted to be worn a lot out- thought around this time period the colour black was seen as. colour only worn for mourning due to the first world war having recently happened. So when Chanel related this dress she had a lot of backlash as society didn’t think it was right, though ver time this piece became a normal colour to wear and is now a very popular and iconic garment.
When the 30’s hit, women went back to their feminine ways. This era was all about sophistication. Women were very well dressed, emphasis on the waist was made using right belts paired with a long knee length skirt and tailored jacket. Hemlines were still shortening and Levi jeans became very popular during this time.
The 40’s was all about the phrase ‘Made do and mend’. Due to the second world war (1939-1945), people had to result in making do with what they had and doing it up in order to have different clothing to wear. For example women would paint on there shoes to brighten up their fashion and decorated them with objects. This is due to a shortage of fabric because of the war and a crashing economy. Expensive materials weren’t worn as much like ‘leather’, and the 40’s fashion was quite similar t the 30’s because of this. Though clothing stared to become a lot more colourful and began the bold bright change of fashion shown hugely in the 50’s and 60’s
Once the 50’s hit a lot changed for women fashion. The era known for glamour. Rock and roll took on a massive influence on fashion within this era. Skirts/dresses became fuller looking (A-line) which was done using petticoats, waists pinched in and worn with a tailor jacket. This was famously known as the ‘Bar suit’ which was the iconic ‘New Look’ by Dior. It created a very feminine silhouette and became noticeable in the late 40’s/early 50’s. Capri pants were highly popular aswell and were worn a lot by Audrey Hepburn and other role models.
.
Women wore gloves to signify elegance, along with stockings due to the showing of legs because of raising hemlines. Bold, bright, colourful patterns were starting to make an appearance on clothing, like women dresses/skirts. For instance, polka dots and interesting designs eg: poodles. Pink, teal and black were the popular colours worn during this time period.
The swinging sixties approached and fashion became a lot more daring. Hemlines rose massively and this was shown through the iconic ‘Mini skirt‘ by Mary quant. Women wanted emphasis on the legs which is why stockings weren’t worn anymore. The 60’s was also known for its Space age which added to the 60’s bold, interesting patterns. When worn white high knee boots and contrast garments.
The 60’s were full clothing consisting of bold, bright colours and psychedelic prints. These psychedelic prints were most known to be worn by Hippies and the Hippie movement was very big in the 60’s changing fashion completely due to the lack of care and expressing individual style. Women starting wearing trousers more, paired with flat shoes for comfortability. Aswelll as shirts/dresses had different coloured collars on.
The 70’s was all about expressing the ‘disco look’. ‘Bell bottoms’ also down as flares were a look that was most popular in the 70’s and has been brought back and worn now. Along with bell sleeves, miniskirts, bra tops, clogs, turtle necks, denim dresses, etc. The continuing of the hippie look was still about. Platform shoes were worn a lot by both genders. Celebrities had strong influences on style, for instance the well known band ABBA who had such a strong 70’s look.
k.
As the year went on the eras have started to become more rebellious in the styles that people took, punk fashion was big in the 70’s, meaning some people wore a lot of tartan, studs, slogan tee and didn’t care how people saw them. The punk movement came about due to new forms of music like punk, which caused many protests all in which impacting the style of this era. A big designer for the punk era was Vivienne Westwood.
The 80’s was seen as an era that highlighted people expressing themselves and finding their style. It was an era full of bright colours like neons and the sporty, gym style. Layering clothes was popular and short hair cuts were common. this era had two sides to it, the fun quirky, lively side and then theres the women liberation which impacted women fashion to become very sophisticated again and power dressing came about. Women would wear suits with big shoulder pads and dress smartly to show their equality to men after the first women prime minster was elected, Margaret Thatcher. The fanny packs and windbreakers were a popular look hick has seen to be brought back now. Double denim was starting to be worn and baggy trousers also known as ‘Harlem pants’ were popular. The limits for what was acceptable was endless.
.
The 90’s came round with styles heavily inflicted on the British culture. Denim was a big hit in the 90’s and many people would wear double denim which is now seen to be a big fashion statement to achieve. Capri pants were worn a lot again. As well as, bootcut and mom jeans, and cut-off denim shorts. the nineties had a grunge style come about and this meant people wore flannel shirts and tartan was heavily worn. Risky, daring clothing was tested in the 90’s like backless tops and skirts over trousers, babydoll dresses, pedal pushers, knee high socks, mesh tops, Buffalo shoes- which were worn a lot by the British girl band ‘The spice girls’ who had a major impact on the 90’s fashion trends.
Its clear that fashion has grown so much over the decades and certain fashion trends have faded whilst others have lasted. Some are classics and will never die and some will come and go.
Nowadays, there is no specific style to identify the present as people are a lot more unique with their style and fashion is a lot broader. A lot of past fashion styles have been re-visted and have also been slightly changed to keep up with modern day fashion which has shaped the present day style. For example, corsets have been brought back after many decades, though are now worn mostly over clothes and have been adapted so they are more for aesthetics rather than use (being that they are more comfortable and only for appearance). As well as, being shaped into waist trainers, which are actually used a lot and heavily influenced by influencers of this day eg: Kim Kardashian. Mom jeans have been brought back and are very popular and so are the 70’s inspired bell trousers (flares). The short hemlines of the 60’s shown through miniskirts/dresses have been adapted into a lot more like t-shirt and body con dresses, denim skirts, high waisted shorts, etc. Slogan tees from the punk era are still about. High knee boots from he 60’s have made a comeback.
There are many trends that are still worn to this day, some more popular than others. High waisted skinny jeans, crop tops, bodysuits, t-shirt dresses, baggy jumpers, fur coats, etc. However, there are a lot of new fashion styles that have been created and many more style types to come, as because of the ability to create anything nowadays theres no limits to what trends are to come.
GEORGIA HEEKS 