Fashion of the Eras

The Roaring Twenties – Not Just Flapper Dresses and Boas!

Most tend to think that the 1920s was only flapper dresses with lavish accessories.  While this is true, there is much more to the average wardrobe than just that!

The fashion of the 1920s was strongly influenced by the political movements going on – primarily Women’s Rights.  As a result of this, women began to wear clothes that created a flatter chests and a less feminine figure.  Short hairstyles, such as the Bob and the Marcel Wave became popular as well.  Although a more boyish figure was formed through these outfits (like the flapper dress), the hem lines began to shorten and corsets were discarded. 

Typical clothing details also included:

·         Beading & Fringing

·         Dropped Waists

·         Headbands

·         Cloche hats – Bell-shaped & Fitted

Coco Who?

Coco Chanel was one of the leading fashionista’s of the twenties and still continues to be today.  She was one of the first to toss out her corset, cut her hair, and wear trousers!

In 2008, the flapper dress made a reappearance in current trends.  Kate Moss sported a grey flapper dress on the red carpet!

 

 

1930s – Back to Basics

The 1930s left the fun, boyish dresses that the Roaring Twenties had sported and went back to the roots.  Women’s clothing returned to a more feminine style with rounded busts and significant waistlines. 

Girl Power!

There was now a need for two different styles of clothing for women – practical daytime styles vs. evening glamour.  Women were beginning to have prominent roles outside the household so the need for evening attire was necessary.  Empire waists, fitted midriffs, and seams just below the bust were common and aimed towards accentuating the woman’s shoulders.  Matching dresses and skirts with coats was a new trend. 

Rayon, Cotton, and Zippers!  Oh My!

This time period was also a period of new materials and products.  More synthetic fibers, such as rayon and viscose, became popular as well as the famous zipper.

1940s – A Time  for Creativity

Since the United States was at war during the 1940s, production on many non-war materials was halted.  This included women’s clothing to an extent.  There were restrictions that were placed on how much nylon, wool, and cotton a woman could purchase.  This sparked a creativity in many that would become the trend for the 1940s.

Knee-length coats became a popular item for many women.  Rather than wearing luxurious, long, fur-lined coats as they had prior, this new fashion was created.  This can still be seen today and has influenced the renewed popularity in trench coats. 

Women’s dresses now aimed towards a more natural womanly shape, instead of creating a smaller waist through different seams and cuts.  Magazines often gave tips on how to turn a man’s suit into a women’s, which eventually led to the Eisenhower jacket.  These jackets were bloused at the chest and had a belt to fit the waist – very military-esque!

1950s - Back to the Home?

Post WWII, the Babyboomer years began.  Woman assumed their previous more matronly role that involved housework, having children, and taking care of the family.  The clothing style reflected this.  Christian Dior had a major influence on the style by creating the “New Look”.  This included a below-the-knee full skirt, small waist, and rounded shoulders. 

Some women refused to give up the “sportswear” look that was essentially a trouser and jacket suit.  These had been common and extremely practical during the war.  The pants eventually became very narrow and were at ankle length.  While full skirts were coming into fashion, fitted jackets and pencil skirts were also making their way among the older generation.  Skirts were popular at either extreme – very narrow or very full.

This two piece suit can be found at The Rag and Bone or on it's online store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/theragandbone! 

1960s

The 1960s took a huge step away from the traditional clothing of women.  Psychedelic colors, mismatched prints, and highlighter colors were a huge hit.

The First Lady

The early sixties fashion trends revolved strongly around the First Lady, Mrs.  Jackie Kennedy.  She introduces the pillbox hat, pastel colored suits, and simple, geometric dresses (often called Shifts).

Oh La La!

The 60s also brought about the trend of the mini skirt, which continues to be prominent in today’s wardrobe.  This time period pushed the boundaries of traditional fashion by the introducing this short article of clothing, bikinis, and go-go boots!

Psychedelic, Baby!

The 60s were also home to the “space” look.  This was started by the designer, Andre Courreges.  This outfit typically included:

·         White boots

·         Trouser Suits

·         Goggles

·         Box-shaped dresses (hem lines above the knee)

And then, the Hippie movement begins…

The hippie movement of the late 60s brought along bellbottom jeans, tie-dye, and paisley prints.  Clothing became more free flowing and some women went as far as to go bra-less or barefoot.  Women often were seen sporting fringed buckskin vests, gypsy style skirts, and Mexican peasant blouses.

1970s - Peace, Love, and Disco?

The 1970s held multiple different styles of fashion, all influenced by different trends during the decade.  The beginning of the 1970s still held the typical hippie fashion – bell bottoms and tie-dye shirts.  Towards the end of the hippie era though, hip huggers changed to high-wasted jeans.  As this trend was slowly progressing (and soon to end), the punk rock industry was taking its toll on the fashion trends. 

High-wasted, flared trousers or jeans (often bedazzled – a.k.a decorated in rhinestones), tight halter tops, satin pants, and sequined bra tops were popular items among this rock crowd.  Women’s makeup often matched this style and was colorful and glittery.

The disco era came into play during this time as well.  Saturday Night Fever, which debuted in 1977, was the catalyst to men’s three-piece suits and women’s wrap dresses.  Platform shoes, which are now reappearing today, were very popular as well.

1980s – Is it really vintage already?

Surprisingly, yes.  This is under some speculation, but for now, we’ll consider it to be vintage-worthy.

The 80s was a time of many mixed trends – shoulder pads, skirts over leggings, bring colors, and crop tops are all reminiscent of this time.  Today though, many of these trends are making their way back into current fashion!  Crop tops especially!

Material Girl

Madonna, one of the most influential and famous artists of the past thirty years, helped to create a new style for teens and young women in the 80s.  This “street urchin” style (as it has been dubbed) often included:

·         Short skirts worn over leggings

·         Fishnet gloves

·         Hairbows

·         Untidy hair

·         Cropped jackets

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

Many of today’s popular trends are similar to those in the 80s (to an extent).  Leggings, often paired with leg warmers, sneakers, or boat shoes, were worn by both children and their mothers.  Baggy t-shirts or oversized sweatshirts were common.  Bike shorts were popular to wear under baby doll dresses or shorter skirts.  Leotards, or body suits, were popular as well and were often paired with the aforementioned leggings and slouch socks.