The History of Women’s
Clothing
Clothing styles and popular apparel fashions are constantly in
flux, and the fashion world is continuously inundated with runway innovations
and fly-by-night fads. Over the last century, fashion in the Western world in
particular has experienced continual upheavals and major changes. From
1900 to 2007, popular fads have included such fashion statements as
rear-enhancing bustles, short flapper dresses, wide-leg bell bottoms, and
deliberately ripped jeans. These and other major fashion trends make up the
fascinating history of twentieth- century women’s clothing.
Haute
Couture Era:
1900-1920
Women’s fashion in the early 1900 highlighted the silhouette of the mature, full-figured body. Low busts and curvy hips were flaunted by the dress styles of the era . In the early years of the first decade, skirts were long and full and often contained a small train, similar to what is commonly seen in today’s wedding gowns. However, as the decade drew to a close, skirts gradually grew shorter and began to reveal tantalizing glimpses of the ankle. The overall silhouette of dresses also changed slightly, moving toward a narrower, straighter line.
Women’s fashion in the early 1900 highlighted the silhouette of the mature, full-figured body. Low busts and curvy hips were flaunted by the dress styles of the era . In the early years of the first decade, skirts were long and full and often contained a small train, similar to what is commonly seen in today’s wedding gowns. However, as the decade drew to a close, skirts gradually grew shorter and began to reveal tantalizing glimpses of the ankle. The overall silhouette of dresses also changed slightly, moving toward a narrower, straighter line.
The
early 1900s also marked the flowering of the haute couture movement in Paris. Parisian
designers set the fashion tone for the rest of the Western world, and their
designs were highly sought after by women of the upper classes. Quite
frequently, horse races served as a debut for important new fashions, as well-known
designers sent models to attend these races wearing their latest creations
(Pendergast 2004).
From 1910 until the start of the First World War in 1914,
fashion continued to move toward slimmer, narrower silhouettes that emphasized
flat busts and slim hips. Bustles and trains were
removed from dresses, as fashion designers played with the length of skirts to
reveal enticing new areas of skin. However, as the war began in 1914,
attention and materials were drawn away from fashion design, and no significant
fashion developments occurred again until peace was declared at the end of
1918.
Modern
Era: 1920-1940
During the 1920, clothing styles officially entered the modern era of
fashion design. During this decade, women began to liberate themselves
from constricting clothes for the first time and openly embrace more
comfortable styles like pants and short skirts. While popular fashions
remained relatively conservative prior to 1925, short skirts, low waistlines,
and revolutionary styles of the flapper era characterized the latter half of
the decade (Hall 1992). Dresses were made to fit close to the body in
order to emphasize youthful elegance. Hems were cut to the knee, and
waistlines disappeared almost entirely. Cloche hats without rims also
became a key popular clothing item during this period .
The fashion styles of the flapper era
lasted throughout the 1920 and into the early 1930 before the hardships of
the Great Depression forced more conservative trends. During this time,
skirts became longer and the natural waistline became a more important part of
dresses as society began to move back toward a more traditionally feminine look
(Hall 1992). While some trends of the 1920, such as cloche hats and bobbed
hair, lasted slightly longer, the difficult times of the 1930 definitely
called for more conservative wear.
The decade of the 1930 also saw the
first true distinction between day and evening styles. During the affluent
era of the 1920, women could easily wear impractical clothing during the day
without worry, so long as domestic servants took care of the chores (Pendergast
2004). However, the hard times of the Depression caused many women to do
more work at home themselves and necessitated more practical clothing for the
daytime. Simple skirts and pared-down outfits allowed for ease of mobility
in the daytime, while new fabrics such as metallic lamé became popular for more
luxurious evening wear. The newly improved, synthetic fabric rayon became
an important part of many designers’ fashions during the 1930, and cotton also
moved into more stylish clothing designs; however, silk remained the primary
fabric of most fashion designers.
Rationed Fashion and the New Look: 1940 – 1960
As Europe, and later America, entered
the landscape of World War II, fashion responded to the restrained mood and
economy of the war. Drabness and uniformity in clothing were embraced, and
people were encouraged to make do with and mend the clothing they already had. Service
uniforms were constantly seen on both men and women at all types of social
functions, as the reality of the war became impossible to ignore.
During the war, all types of cloth
were needed for a variety of wartime purposes, and material for clothing was severely
rationed. Women were issued a limited number of ration coupons to use for
clothing purchases each year, and this number declined steadily as the war
progressed. Due to the limited materials, fashions of the era emphasized
shorter skirts than ever before and short, blocky jackets . Buttons for
any type of apparel were limited to three per clothing item. Nylon
stockings were very scarce, and women were encouraged to make do with ankle
socks and bare legs. During the war and its aftermath, there was rarely an
adequate amount of any clothing item available, and women were forced to do the
best they could and dress as femininely as possible with the available stock.
By the late 1940 and early 1950,
designers had quickly grown tired of the utilitarian, minimalist clothing of
the wartime era. Longings for elegance and luxury that had been suppressed
during the war years began to creep out again with the “New Look” of fashion in
the late 1940 in which clothing styles emphasized rounded shoulders, full skirts,
and narrow waists (Hall 1992). The garments were often lined with
luxurious, expensive fabrics, and ornate accessories became necessary
items. Although critics complained about the extravagance of the clothing
while rationing was still mandated, women throughout the country clamored for
the revitalized femininity of the New Look. And it would prove to be
popular enough to last well into the affluent decade of the 1950.
Fashion Revolution: 1960 – 1980
Youth of the 1960 rebelled
against traditional styles and created their own trends
The 1960 and 1970 witnessed a youth explosion that completely
revolutionized the fashion system. Prior to 1960, designers generally
created styles for runways, and clothing manufacturers mass produced the
designers’ styles for the general public. However, during the 1960, youth
throughout the Western world began to rebel against traditional clothing styles
and create their own trends. Soon, fashion designers and manufacturers
were madly trying to keep up with the trends and implement the youths' popular
creations into clothing for the masses.
During the 1960 and 1970, a huge
variety of clothing became popular, including bell bottoms, increasingly short
miniskirts and hot pants, and blue jeans . It was no longer shocking for
women to wear pants on a daily basis, and many of the styles of the era were
somewhat androgynous. By the 1970, it was nearly impossible to tell what
was in fashion and what was not, as the choices for available clothing had
become very diverse. During these two decades of rapid social revolution
and change, it was “anything goes” in terms of fashionable clothing. By
the late 1970, popular styles had turned somewhat more conservative, but the
freedom of choice inspired by the two decades would live on.
Present Era: 1980 – 2007
While high fashion had greatly
declined during the free-for-all of the 1960 and 1970, the 1980 saw a
definite rise in the popularity of designer styles. Wealthy people across
the country flocked to New York boutiques and Paris fashion shows to purchase
directly from designers’ lines, while mass producers replicated the high
fashions for the general public. Power and money dominated the styles of
the 1980, with women donning expensive business suits and dresses during the day
and extravagant designer gowns in the evening . While not everybody could
afford the expensive designer clothing, some top fashion designers such as
Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren also produced ready-to-wear lines to appeal to
less-affluent customers. During the 1980, clothing was a sign of power,
and the top designers reigned supreme with their fashionable apparel.
But by the 1990, women had begun to
reject the moneyed, designer styles of the 1980 and opt for more comfortable,
casual clothing. Flannel shirts and ripped jeans inspired by the grunge
movement in rock and roll became popular, while the rising hip-hop movement
brought baggy pants into fashion. Whatever its expression, comfort
remained the key factor in clothing choice for most women in the 1990 and
2000. Even standards for work relaxed somewhat, and casual dresses and
pants became popular workplace attire.
latest new fashion looks
for 2008 listed here at fashion-era. At this time, I sense a fashion
exposure that brings a liberating breezy change. 2008 is replete with fresh
airy-light fashion in clear, bright, plain and solid colors. There is
also exuberant pattern and print.
color is cheerful without
being tawdry. The soft tones of sugar almond tints offer mellow contrasts
to neon bright colors. Lemon, yellow and gold are color trends that
bring a glow of bright light to everything, especially to bags and footwear. Nautical
and traditional looks offer navy, red and white as combinations ideally suited
for both work and casual wear. The optical effects of these new
arrangements of stripes and spots all add a classic edge.
Black
with white frequently adds a groomed and ladylike touch that exudes style and
sophistication. Ecru, browns and olives are dominant colors for safari
down-dressing and tribal looks.
The subtle, but
futuristic refinements that are emerging have given a fresh impetus to
fashion styles and trends, whilst embracing the need to abandon conspicuous
consumption in the subdued economy of 2009.
Fashion looks are becoming LESS careless, more ordered, more statement
making with futuristic glamour at the helm
- Vibrant color block mixing
- Lemon yellow gold tones
- Stronger shoulder/emphasis
- Volume sleeves
- Geometric lines
- Overall interpretation of drapery
- Ornate or trophy jackets
- Surface texture and sheen in fabrics
- Texture in jewellery with chunky costume and vintage pieces
In the '00s,
fashion, and indeed the Arts in general, looked to the past for inspiration,
arguably more so than in previous decades. Vintage clothing, especially from
the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties became extremely popular and fashion
designers often sought to emulate bygone styles in their collections.
The early '00s saw
a continuation of the minimalist look of the Nineties in high fashion. Later
on, designers began to adopt a more colorful, feminine, excessive, and
'anti-modern' look. Name brands became of particular importance among young
people and many celebrities launched their own lines of clothing. Tighter fit
clothing and longer hair became mainstream for many men and women. Rap music
also had a considerable influence on popular fashion, in the early part of the
2000.
the clothes and accessories are lavish, fantastical, luxurious,
powerful, edgy and elegant. Look out for statement collars or collarless
necklines, and the accessory must-have is a hat.
Think of impact
making 'I'm here' clothes, opulent fabrics, gem encrustation, sumptuous
velvets, crazy color popping furs all alongside the contrast of more
minimalist cloth coats, sleek leathers, utilitarian military coats, padded down
quilted puffa jackets or sedate country tweed pieces. fashion styles dripped
with embellishment, also colorful baroque and floral damask ornament.
Gold and black feature heavily and is a perfect scheme to be replaced by
black and white.
Today, while expensive designer
clothing is still sought after by some women, casual, comfortable clothing
styles at reasonable prices are the popular choice at the start of the new
century. But one never knows what new trendy or outrageous style will
emerge next on the fashion scene.
