A Brief History Of Fashion in the 1900s

Everyone says that fashion is coming back, how can that happen when the new trends for each season are references from previous decades which are evident. But what was fashion in the past decades? Since when are the ballerinas, the pencil skirts and dresses come up in line A with geometric print? How did the fashion change with the weather? What historical events and influences the society about the way people dress? Fashion goes hand in hand with makeup, and since we love makeup deals we wanted to mention Clinique bonus time, it's known as a time where Clinique gives away over 150$ in makeup with a $25 purchase. We always stock up on Clinique during these times. Enough about makeup let's discuss why you are here to learn about fashion.

1900-1919 Fashion History

All changes made this season was because of World War I (1914-1918). The women stopped wearing jewelry and stunning clothes, began to take part in charitable projects, thereby expanding their horizons and changed their appearance forever. Before the war there were no social classes and all the women used to dress identically. The influence of war was felt in fashion with military braid, belts with buckles and skirts for women who didnt wear skirts in the past, reaching to the ankles (for the first time in 1915 had skirts had reached that height and remained so until 1918). The men wore a suit, just waisted and buttoned up. As a dress introduced in tuxedos. In general prevailing dark colors in clothing, since all were influenced by the loss of loved ones because of war.

1920s Fashion History

After the first world war social and economic developments changed completely the role of women and revolutionary innovations in women's clothing took place. What comes to mind most when talking about the 20s is ala "garconne" style. In reality, this style made its appearance since 1926. In previous years the length of dresses and coats reached the shank. The dresses and skirts shortened to the knee only between 1926 and 1928 and that was the only period when evening dresses were worn at this length.

The everyday dress of the men was serious or sporty. The jacket was very serious, monopeto with high waist and the shortened trousers. The vest in the evening and the sweater in the daytime were necessary ingredients of a male attire. The formal attire remained rigid.

At that time a new style appeared in the women's hairstyle ala waiter in conjunction with tall hats or turbans decorated with feathers to be worn for the most official appearances. Necessary accessories were long necklace of pearls and a long pipe with a cigarette. The makeup was particularly intense in evening performances with almost black eyes and dyed red, small, painted lips.

It is worth mentioning that, this decade made its presence felt in the Coco Channel, clothes represented perfect planning at this time. The clothes were neutrals, they were easy-comfortable, modern and quite revolutionary for that time. During this decade ,LBD (little black dress) made its first appearance and was considered a legitimate child of Coco Channel.

1930s Fashion History

The economic crisis (1929), unemployment and the rise of National Socialism were a phenomenon that strongly influenced all areas of life during this period and of course influenced fashion as well.

Women's clothing for the morning was feminine and decent and the evening could be described as bright and shiny. In previous years women were not interested in clothes and the chores were done by the maids. The '30s, however, things changed, women were more productive and busy, this had resulted in more practical and simple clothes that gave freedom to the movements for the day. The most impressive and luxurious dresses were worn for evening performances. During this period also new fabrics appeared that were particularly prevalent in evening dress like metallic lame.

In general the dresses were from lightly molded fabrics, in the day they were at twenty inches from the ground and in the evening touching the ankle, emphasizing the waist and was tight at the hips and bottom were bell-shaped, evening dresses had neckline and a small kind of veil in the back. Finally, the narrow line prevailed in jackets and coats.

The men's clothing remained conservative and just everyday clothing with the weather it became more sporty. The men wore jackets to emphasize shoulders and pants in a straight line with a backhand wide.

It is worth mentioning that at the time the sixth Coco Channel , it made its appearance in the past decade, there were some other great designers such as Italian Elsa Schiaparelli (who was an exception in this simple fashion and in collaboration with Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau enriched creations with surreal touches) and the French Madeleine Vionnet.

Finally worth noting is the fact that standards of the time were stars of theater and film. We can cite as an example to Marlene Dietrich. She was the first woman who publicly smoked and wore men's suits.

1940s Fashion History

During the Second World War (1938-1945), the circumstances left no room for evolution in fashion. The fabrics were hard to find, so people could make frequent changes to their clothes and join debris. The military clothing for men was introduced and social views. Women's clothing was simple and functional in distinguishing colors.

Inside the modest setting of the postwar period, made its appearance with the New Look by Christian Dior (1947-1957) and was designated "King of Fashion". It gave a sense of luxury and was feminine and very classy. We saw towards the end of this decade long skirts on the legs, with strongly accented waist and shoulders. The formal dresses had delicate neckline and acquired investments fabrics. Female appearance were introduced to stylish hats and distinctive hairstyle with curls.

In the men wear no special changes were made, only after the war jackets became distant, fardynan narrowed shoulders and hips.

1950s Fashion History

The decade between '50 and '60 was explosive. The economic prosperity and rising living standards had room for growth in haute couture.

50s, mainly represented the new generation. It was the first time the new age people gained their own fashion, style and appearance, influenced by standards of film and singers. Essential elements for their appearance were leather, jeans, the klos skirts, knitted or crocheted, of corduroy and ballet shoes for girls.

Along with this fashionable Christian Dior , sensation was brought by the length of the skirt which was worn a few inches below the knee and connecting the couture with the letters of the alphabet. Thus the line A was born (narrow at the top and bottom open), the line H (straight and severe) and Y (open in back and close down).

In Paris he developed two different trends in haute couture. On the one hand, the Channel attempted to combine couture and comfort, putting the clothing in the service of the body. On the other hand, some designers seemed to deal only with the impression created by their creations.

The distinguished Christobal Balenciaga ruled this season for his talent in draped fabrics, creations stable thick silk and taffeta-like sculptures.

The death of Christian Dior in 1957, shocked the fashion world, at least until the name of his successor Yves Saint Laurent, who launched the trapezoidal line.

In menswear jackets and coats were large and had rounded lapels trousers were comfortable at the top and narrowed down. But it is worth mentioning that it brought a great change in men's clothing among young men. By the standards of Marlon Brando and James Dean , they wore jeans, leather jacket and simple T-shirt. It is the first time in history until then that , jeans were not worn only by the working class.

1960s Fashion History

In the '60s fashion inspired by a apparently a libertarian proposals and different places. Characteristic fashion was released from obligations and taboos. America finds his muse in the person of Jackie Kennedy and imposes a style of classical elegance with dresses to the knee in line A with geometric designs. The Audrey Heyburn, but is this myth that makes the little black dress through participation in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). The most important innovations in women's fashion in this decade was the appearance of mini skirt and the introduction of women's trousers.

It was the first time that by wearing "antimodes" youth was regained. One of these was the movement of Mod's, which made first appearance in 1964 in Britain and heralds the advent of punk in the '70s.

The most common characteristic, however about, "antimodes" was that it was launched during the time of hippies and that of the beggars . The fashion of hippies was jeans bell, embroidery and studs on clothing, fringes, discoloration, psychedelic and geometric designs.

At the same time, equally prevalent were the suits of Coco Channel and princess style dresses. The appearance of the boot in Women's Shoes and Wide Shine with strange heels was remarkable.

As regards to male attire, in the beginning of the decade it was cut straight and wide , in 1965 trousers were without cuffs and narrow. The most famous men wore colorful shirts and vests with fringes.

1970s Fashion History

The beginning of the 70s was characterized by a general disappointment. From everywhere people echoed about the Vietnam War, the recession ended in shopping with a light heart and the crisis with oil, sparked a true and great simplicity.

In the fashion prevailing anarchy. The Ralph Lauren found refuge in neoromantismo. The star of the rock triggered the mania for lourex and excess glitter. It was time that culminated hot shorts, platforms that broke ankles and shirts that were applied like a glove (because of synthetic fabrics), with standing collars. The disco style made its appearance at this time. Characterized by elastic clothes, flashy colors and shiny fabrics.

The 70's also brought with it females showing off their nails in exotic ways, bright nail polishes, long fake nails and gel nails and acryclic nails all came into fashion and women found new ways to show off their beauty.

It was comparatively more conservative or more media women wore skirts and dresses with highlighted waist (with belt or without). There was a T line, which emphasized shoulders and predicted the emergence of a more rigorous style for years. Jeans that time was very tight and was in combination with leather, T-shirt with prints and eccentric hairstyles were the so-called style of Punk, which appeared in the decade of the '70s, a typical representative of the designer Vivienne Westwood.

As it relates to men's fashion, men's shirts were often plaid or striped, the jackets were inside with narrow shoulders and pants with narrow and broad crotch to the bottom. In men's accessories bags were added. Men did not wear ties, but often preferred the scarves and handkerchiefs.

1980s Fashion History

The economic recovery in the early 80s brought with it closer lengths, while the obsession with healthy living and fitness made people thinner and the sinewy silhouettes. It was also apparent that human needs a separate and distinct look, which also constituted a criterion for social classification. Their first appearance in this decade had great designers like Giozi Yamamoto and Kenzo and Ray Kavakoumpo the house Comme des Garcons.

Female lines prevailed, which was represented by pencil skirts with high average which came in contrast with the rock style that was characterized by leather, coveralls, studs and chains. Generally styles from previous decades returned and formed a multidisciplinary fashion.

In menswear there is the traditional costume, comfortable and classic. The coats and trench coat were very popular at that time.

I do not think you need to make extensive reference to this decade, since it is close enough chronologically to most of us. Suffice it to recall some of our series or films representing completely this time, such as Dynasty and Dallas.

From the 80s till now we can say that we have seen some new fashions in clothing, we just slightly changed and shaped the current trends in fashion reminiscent of previous decades. It is worthy to know some basics about the history of fashion, which helps to better understand the trends that appeared each year. Hope someday show people with new ideas will create their own history in fashion, ,eventually all it takes is imagination.