The History of Women’s Clothing

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. 

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

Observe the importance of the following:-

• 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.