History of Fashion (1920-Present)
You will be amazed as you read how different events in history have an effect on how people dressed during those times. For instance, during World War II people were only allowed to use the minimum amount of clothing materials needed to create simple outfits that were practical enough for wartime duties.
Additionally, sometimes changes in political power have affected how people dressed during different times. For example, high ideals were presented from the White House while Ronald Reagan was president in the 1980s.
The overall message that was conveyed during the 1980s was the ideal that you could become as successful as you believe to be. Therefore, during this era in history many people “dressed for success”. A large number of men & women wore suits & office clothing that would help them move up the corporate ladder.
Present-day fashion for men is still fairly conservative. Usually a dark-colored two-or three piece suit is usually worn with a white collared shirt & a tie.
How Fashion Changed from 1920 to the Present
Some fashions are classic, meaning that they stand the test of time & may never “go out of style”. However, other clothing items are just “fads”, meaning that they are only in style for a short season & then no one seems to want to wear those certain clothing items any more.
Sometimes the popularity of a particular outfit or accessory depends upon the tastes of a particular group of people. For instance, one “clique” (tight-knit circle of friends) during the 1980s may have been into wearing ripped jeans with a leather jacket while others preferred to dress in casual slacks & a button-down shirt.
Changes in Dresses & Skirt Styles: 1920s to the Present
Changes in skirt & dress fashion not only changed quite a bit over the past seven & three-quarters decades (over 77 years), but also during each decade as well. For instance, only two years after the end of World War I (in 1920) skirt & dress hem lines rose. Along with that women’s waist lines lowered to the hip.
During 1926 & 1928 is said to be when skirt hem lines were the highest. Then, after the stock market crash in the year 1929 (major event leading to the Great Depression) hem lines returned to a more conservative length (below the knee or lower).
In the 1930s the boyish look of the 1920s was slowly receding in popularity. Again was the return of femininity. It was during the 1930s that the movie star image was very much envied & copied by women who were physically fit to model Hollywood-style clothing.
One of the signature fashion pieces of the 1930s was the bias cut evening gown made of materials such as chiffon or velvet. These dresses were often accented with items such as diamante clips & gold chokers.
Day wear in the 1930s consisted of items such as a slim-cut dress made with wide shoulders. This dress was usually worn with a belt around the waist. A sharp tailored suit with the hem line of the skirt below the knee may have also been worn during this time.
“Real” fur wraps & floral print dresses were also very popular in the 1930s. This glamorous look lost its luster after 1939, when World War II broke out.
A couple of years After World War II started, the use of luxurious fabrics such as wool, silk, & nylon were highly regulated. Most clothes during this time were instead made from viscose & rayon-including women’s skirts.
Sometimes both women’s & girl’s skirts or dresses were made out of anything that could be found within a home. For instance, sometimes a nightgown would be turned into a wedding dress or a sheet may be turned into a skirt.
Moreover, it was highly illegal during this time-especially after 1942-to use excess fabric, accessories, or trimmings to accent an outfit. This restriction lasted about until about 1947, which well over a year after this World War has been recorded as officially ending.
In the 1950s, A-line skirts as well as pencil skirts were very popular. These are both more form-fitting pieces of clothing than are the longer skirts that were more popular in the mid to late 1970s (hippie rayon skirts most likely made from linen or rayon).
From the late 1950s to the late 1960s a variety of different mini-dresses & maxi-length skirt outfits were being introduced to the market. It was during this time that the youth were thought of as the main influence of fashion.
Then, in the 1980s another shift in fashion occurred. The push for more “responsible dress” took place during this decade, & the term “yuppie” was used to describe those who dress in business or office clothing.
The 1980s also was the time period during which “punk” or rock n’ roll dress became more & more acceptable. Ripped jeans & T-shirts, unusually colored hair, multiple earrings, & neon clothing were often worn by celebrities & copied by common people.
In the 1990s, dress became simpler, yet more provocative. Shirts were lower-cut during this decade & skirts were short again, unlike in the 1980s (for the most part). However, generally speaking most people living from 1990 to the present day are likely to dress in whatever they most feel comfortable in-just like during the late 1960s & throughout the 1970s. Following on from the 90's to today, fashions have now evolved yet again to offer both casual & formal clothing that makes present-day fashion both elegant & chic.
Blouses & Shirts from 20s to Present
One of the most popular styles of blouses that were introduced in the 1920s was the jumper blouse. This particular garment was made from cotton or silk & sometimes was made with a sailor collar. It was meant to be worn over a skirt, reaching just below the hips & sometimes accompanied by a belt or sash.
Other blouses & shirts made in the 1920s were low-cut with a V-neck & sometimes were worn with chemisettes (fill-ins) attached to promote modesty.
Knit long-sleeve shirts with round collars & tank blouses were also popular during the 1920s, & men of this time often wore short-sleeved polo shirts. Of course, traditional dress shirts were worn for formal occasions as well, & sometimes men also wore plus fours (baggy knee pants) & bold-print knit sweater.
The 1930s marked the return of more feminine fashions once again. Therefore, for the most part blouses worn in this decade for women were either designed with a v-neck collar or made with a long bow attached that tied around the neck.
Sleeveless blouses & knit shirts were often worn during this time as well, & many were made from linen or satin materials. Other blouses were made from rayon or silk.
A shift in fashion took place during the 1940s during World War II. For instance, fabrics such as nylon & silk were replaced with the use of rayon & viscose for more formal dress.
Sometimes terry cloth, linen, & canvas were used as well, but mostly for leisure shirts. Generally speaking necklines were high, but occasionally they were off the shoulder.
Working women during the war wore military style shirts with button-up collars for more formal dress that resemble the utility shirts that women wore. However, women who were involved in the American Woman’s Auxiliary Corps. Usually wore the full war utility outfit.
After the war to the middle of the 1950s trends in women’s fashion changed again. By 1954 rounded necks on either sleeveless shirts or long sleeve shirts were often worn. Polo-necked shirts were also popular during this time, as well as bat-winged sweaters.
In the 1960s, ethnic print blouses, ribbed turtle neck sweaters, & boat-necked blouses were often worn. Classic white butterfly color shirts were worn on occasion as well, for either casual or semi-dressy occasions. Print-print shirts with striped or “wild” patterns were often worn as well during this time.
From the late 1960s to the mid-1970s new kinds of fashion were also born. New bright-colored shirts & blouses created with Psychedelic fashions were in during this time. Indian cheesecloth shirts & “flower power” clothing were also popular as well.
Space fashions were also popular during the late 1960s. Numerous types of clothes were made out of leather & plastic during these times. Similar fashions were then re-introduced in the 1980s, along with many new ones.
Another aspect of the 1980s was the phenomenon of dressing to impress. During this decade people were encourages to where the suit & tie (men), or the skirt suit (women). People in the 1980s who made quite a bit of money & went after the American dream of owning the big house, big car, & so on was often labeled as “yuppies” because of the clothes they wore.
Shoes from 20s to Present
During the 1920s women’s heels on pumps & loafer-style shoes were fairly high & wide. Heeled shoes were even worn with women’s swimming costumes during this time, as one mark of femininity.
Sometimes other types of flats such as ballet shoes were worn, but mostly for formal dance. Oxfords of varying colors & styles were worn as well as other leather shoes.
In the 1930s strapped heels & pumps were increasing in popularity, & traditional styles of high heels were still worn. Sometimes laced leather leisure shoes were also worn by men & women for adventures such as hiking trips.
In the 1940s dress became more practical & conservative, especially during the war. Fore instance, women’s work shoes were usually made with flatter heels, & often made with cork or wooden soles.
Sportswear also became the American clothing icon after World War II was over. In fact, Europe turned to the U.S. after awhile for new ideas pertaining to sports fashion.
Flat shoes & sandals, heels, & pumps, were worn by women in the 1950s. Canvas baseball shoes (high-tops) or black leather oxfords were worn by men. Sometimes they wore suede shoes during this time as well.
In the 1960s black slip-on boots were made (most likely of a leather or faux leather material), & heels were thinner on pumps. In the 1970s, vinyl boots become very popular as well as moccasin-style loafers with wide heel. Both men & women in the 1970s wore sandals.
In the 1980s pumps (or court shoes) were designed with heels higher & thinner than in decades before became more of a hit. For casual wear tennis shoes (both high-tops & standard ankle high shoes), & leather dress shoes were very popular. Overall the more expensive look was admired during this decade.
Go-go boots, spiked-heeled shoes, & lace-up boots were also worn varying groups of people-especially those who adored high fashion & those who were professionals. Flats were also worn as well, especially by working women.
In the 1990s style has become more down-to earth again. During this decade leather substitutes became more popular since environmentalism became more of an issue on the forefront. Cork-soled sandals (i.e. Birkenstocks) styles as well as walking shoes made with bulk heels were made during this time.
From the late 1990s until now several retro styles have been rebirthed. For instance, vintage wide-heeled shoes that were made during the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s are often worn. For the most part, though some people in recent times pay attention to high fashion people generally speaking are dressing how they most feel comfortable.
As always, in recent times there are fashion “dos” & “don’ts” that are fairly timeless. For instance, thin heels are thought of as very sexy for evening wear. Bare heals or flat boots are often thought of as a good choice as well for going out.
For casual day wear, people usually sneakers with thin soles are recommended. Another casual shoe alternative these days are flat sandals or flip-flops where are a tradition that has been around for quite a number of years.
Accessories from 20s to Present
From the 1920s to the 1940s a variety of different styles of necklaces were made to cover the neckline. For instance, one necklace was designed with rows of semi-precious and/or precious stones (clear diamond like ones). These stones were set on pieces of different types of gold.
Other types of necklaces that were created during this 20-year time span include a necklace made from glass beads & enamel. These were strung on molded plated nickel, or lustred metals.
Large gaudy bracelets made out of a variety of hard plastics & faux gems. Metal ethnic-themed thick bracelets were often worn during this time as well, along with dangly, shiny earrings.
During the 1920s to the 1940s a variety of different types of hats were created, such as cloches & turbans. Wider-brimmed hats that covered over part of the face sometimes were worn as well.
Jewelry in the 1950s was modeling after similar trends as earlier decades. However, necklaces became thinner, often containing a strand of pearls, & sometimes accompanied matching earring designs.
A new shift in jewelry fashion had occurred again during the 1960s & the 1970s. Multiple strands of “love beads” were worn, as well as country-style female “farmer-style” straw (or straw like) hats.
Hair from 20s to Present
Short boyish haircuts were popular throughout the 1920s to the late 1930s. In the 1940s, hair was often still hid under hats, but usually was longer & tied in a bun or other up-do. During the Second World War, scarves & turbines were also popular.
Hats & turbines (sometimes even worn together) remained popular until the 1960s. After this time women began to perm and/or dye their hair. Wigs were more popular after this time as well, & the wearing of hats declined dramatically.
Men’s hair (just like the short women’s cuts) of the 1920s & 1930s was usually neatly combed & groomed, & usually parted to the side. Hair for men was “greased” back. In the 1950s hair was still greased back, but hairstyles usually consisted of more hair on the top of the head (especially biker styles).
For women in the 1950s, hair was waved & fit to frame the face, or to be pulled back. Some actresses had wore their hair extremely short-way above the ears, as if it had been cut with a hair trimmer.
In the 1960s, beehive & flip-style hairdos were more popular for women. For the men, bowl cuts, such as the ones that are similar to what the Beatles wore are very popular as well. These looks continued on to the late 1960s.
From the 1970s on, long-straight hair was popular for women, as well as for some men. Hairstyles were usually parted down the middle. Large puffy hair worn by Motown singers were also considered very in from 1969 on to the 1970s, & short wavy hairstyles like Jodie Foster wore in 1976 were in.
Layered haircuts were also popular during this time. This trend in fact continued on during the 1980s, & then big hairstyles with bangs were very popular. In the early 1990s when straight hair or spiral perms became the norm at least in some areas.
From the 1970s to the current time punk hairstyles such as shaved heads, Mohawks, & painted hair were worn. These were usually the hairdos of those who wanted to make a statement, or just simply to be different from mainstream society. Many mainstream & independent artists had punk hairdos.
Heavy metal hairstyles for men were quite popular, especially after the 1980s. Male heavy metal rock groups would tease and/or color their hair, which usually was let to grow long.
There are still standards for hairstyles in the year 2007. For the workplace hairdos are very conservative, usually in a straight style, or sometimes waved or slightly permed. Outside of the normal office or retail arena standards for hairdressing are usually more relaxed, such as that for musicians, artists, & writers.
Designers from 20s to Present
Names of fashion designers that were alive during the 1920s & the 1950s include Jeanne Lanvin, Gabrielle Chanel, & Pierre Cardin. Each these designers have set his or her personal mark.
For instance, Lanvin is remembered for her intricate trimmings, lavish embroideries, & beaded decorations. These were all implemented in clear, light fabrics.
Chanel is remembered for designing fashions of clothing as if it would be what she would wear. She also is known for masculine-cuts & silk blouses. Pierre Cardin is known for items such as his draped pale blue mohair dresses or jacket with fur-trimmed head.
Designers from the 1960s include Yves Saint Laurent & Mary Quant. These designers were thought of as revolutionary fashion artists. They introduced items such as mini and/or maxi-length dresses, bright-colored sweater & mini-dress outfits, & a variety of new accessories such as laced tights as well as new cosmetics.
As our society has changed over the last 80 years with the growth of fast food, drive through banking etc. increased entertainment through computers leading to less exercise, as a society we have got bigger. This in turn has led to an increase of fashions designed for the larger sizes from specialist retailers including online & bricks & mortar, just one example is King Size Direct who offer big mens clothing online for a more loose & comfortable fit.
Men's from 20s to Present
After World War I was over onto about the year 1942 men’s wear was fairly relaxed & less formal. For instance, softer collars were worn during this time period.
Sleeveless sport shirts became popular, which were often worn with white pleated trousers & a belt was an example of one outfit worn by men. Celebrities in the 1920s and/or 1930s often would combine casual pieces with formal pieces for a new look.
Evening wear such as the double-breasted white cotton pique was also worn during this decade, as well as day suits with wide lapels. These suits were worn with accessories such as wool tie, black trilby hat, or black gloves (early to mid-1920s). Black leather shoes were also made popular during this time as well.
Wide lapels on men’s suits also were very popular in the 1930s with both British & American style suits. Materials used to make these suits were usually a type of wool (as often in the 1920s).
Sportswear in between the mid-1930s & 1946 included items such as white straight-leg flannel trousers for tennis playing or dark blue elastic-wasted cotton knickers for playing football. A red cloth coat was sometimes worn with black leather boots for riding. These sportswear outfits were very much influenced by the British.
After 1946 men wore items such as black trousers, Single-breasted wool jacket, & suits with wide lapels & wide collars. Suit accessories included black bow-tie, black homburg hat, & black shoes. By 1947 the war rations on materials had ended, so more extravagant men’s clothing could be made after this time.
1950s British styles were in some ways different than in the 1930s & the 1940s. One of the signature items for men during the first year of this decade include the knee-length single breast overcoat (grey-colored) & cuffless sleeves (although cuffless sleeves were sometimes worn in earlier times).
An Italian-influenced design that was worn in the evening includes the double-breasted waist-length white wool dinner jacket that included features such as wide reverse single self-fabric button fastening. Another popular item was the single-breasted cloth different jacket with the long collar & wide revers.
American styles of sports & leisure wear that were created in the 1950s include a single-breasted fitted brown jacket, narrow lapels, & flap pockets. These were worn during riding, & perhaps along with knee-high leather riding boots.
In the late 1960s to the late 1970s fashion was influenced by designers from numerous countries. For instance, Pierre Cardin from France had created a new design of a two-piece grey cloth suit that has a double-breasted long fitted jacket.
In the year 1970 the cloth jacket with a zipper was worn with a day wear outfit. This item was made with large hip-level flap pockets & tight sleeves which flared at the wrists & brown cloth trousers which were also flared. Leather outfits were becoming more popular after 1973.
The 1980s was a time of its own unique fashion. Men during this time who worked as an executive or other position of higher authority usually wore items such as a brown two-pieced double-breasted suit with long narrow lapels. These suits were designed with broad shoulders & shoulder pads.
Casual clothing that was significant of the 1980s includes blue denim jeans, often worn with matching jean jacket. Punk fashion in the 1980s for men included clothing items such as sleeveless black leather jacket, off-center zip fastening, or flap pockets.
In the 1990s blue jeans were also very popular, but unlike the 1980s bell-bottoms & wider-legged pants were in style. Black polo neck sweaters were popular in the year 1995, as well as two-piece wool striped suits with small collar & narrow ankle-length trousers.
Present-day fashion for men is still fairly conservative. Usually a dark-colored two-or three piece suit is worn with a white collared shirt & a tie. Although men are willing to wear much more colorful shirts From Companies like Men's Wearhouse who still offer the traditional white shirt plus the modern colors & contemporary styles men now like.
Children’s from 20s to Present
Toddler girls from 1919 wore laced-edged rompers which snapped on the sides. A bloomer dress with white collar was worn in the year 1925, & a fringed bunting with side fasteners was used to keep babies warm in the year 1939.
Older girls wore schoolgirl outfits such as a black or green velveteen plaid skirt with white pique blouse & feather white socks & white shoes (1939). A polka dot sun suit with elastic around edges of top & shorts was a big hit in the 1950s. This outfit was most likely worn as a swimsuit.
Middle-aged boys in the 1920s wore items such as a gray or brown woolen suit jacket with matching vest & trousers. From this time throughout the 1930s different styles of knickers (knee pants) were worn by boys as well. Sometimes knickers were worn with knee-high print socks (as appears in one photo) & shoes.
Older boys wore wool slacks & v-necked jacquard patterned sweaters in the 1950s. Also in the 1950s, boys wore navy denim jeans with a checked cotton button-down, collared shirt.
In the 1960s, outfits for school & sports became more casual. One of the simple signature outfits of this decade is the black & white washable Welsh wool dress. In later years, these dresses were then made from man-made materials.
Gingham skirts were displayed in an Issue of Vogue during this decade as well, which means these dresses were most likely worn quite a bit. Bridesmaids’ dresses in the 1960s were long & designed with a raised waist.
For the boys n the year 1964 boys often wore a wool blazer & grey marl shorts. During this time, both boys & girls wore short white socks while young followed by knee-length socks when older. These socks were often held up by garter belts.
Toddlers in the 1960s were often seen in pinafore rompers. These were often worn over a blouse or jersey. From 1965 to 1970, outfits such as the machine-washable sleep suit were worn by babies, & this outfit was considered to be one of the most useful clothing items up to this time period.
For the small boy during the late 1960s & early 1970s, a tweed coat with long trousers-similar to the 1950s boys outfits-is worn with a stiffened woolen hat. Girls during this time dressed much like the women of the time, in high-waist dresses & matching ribbed tights.
Sometimes young boys during the latter portion of the 1960s also dressed like little men. For example, they dressed in a drip-dry shirt, bow tie, & waistcoat or a tweed coat & long trousers (for winter).
In the 1970s, girls wore a variety of different kind of outfits similar to what women wore, such as Indian print shirts. They also wore print silky outfits of a matching shirt & flared pants.
The 1980s is the start of another evolution in children’s fashion. Girls during this decade wore outfits such as the unisex polycotton brushed leisure suit. Small boys during this decade wore outfits such as a suit with a bright blue top that has red sleeves with logo on chest, along with pants to match.
Other children’s outfits worn during this time include girls’ dresses in blue & white, with vest-shaped top & gathered short skirt. This was often worn with accessories such as heart-shaped sunglasses, canvas sandals, & hair tied up with bright stretchy bands.
1990s school & summer fashions were made for children to be able to move & play in. A signature boys’ outfit of this time is the blue jeans overall outfit, & the girls’ signature outfit is the jean dress with a white trim & pink shirt underneath.
Clothes from the 1990s for children share a similar vein as to the ones in the present day. The most important aspect of making clothing for children today is to make sure the outfits are safe to wear & that they fit well.
Teens from 20s to Present
From the 1920s to the 1940s teen dress was fairly conservative in contrast to present-day styles. For the most part teens dressed very much like the adults of this time.
In the 1920s teens wore outfits such as the schoolgirl cadet style outfit which consisted of a gathered skirt with a hemline just below the knee. This skirt was usually accompanied by the wearing of a V-necked bottom-down jersey knit cardigan, white collared shirt, & tie. On the head was worn a beret.
Other teen girls and/or older children often wore cardigan sweaters, cotton frocks, & canvas shoes. Sometimes they wore sandals with their outfits. In the 1930s teens and/or young women would dress to imitate movie stars as much as possible.
In the 1940s during World War II natural materials for clothing were scarce. Children’s & or teen clothes were made with the same fabric as adult fashions were (rayon & viscose). During this time, clothes were mended when worn & when new clothes were needed drapes, sheets, pillow cases, & other household materials were used to make new clothes.
During the 1950s, new teen fashions began to develop, especially between 1955 & 1960. In fact, this was the period of time when teens began to purchase their own clothing, which was one of the reasons why they became such an influence on fashion that was made during this time.
Teen’s girls in the mid to late 1950s wore clothing items such as an oversized sweater, buttoned cardigan, and/or a simple long tweed skirt. Around their necks they sometimes wore a string of beads along with it.
In the 1950s, groups of teen girls also sometimes wore baseball jackets & loose jeans rolled up. Most adult woman would where such an outfit (i.e. these girls’ mothers).
In the 1960s mini-skirts & mini-dresses became very popular. During the late 1960s long flowing “hippie” dresses were sometimes worn by teens or young women.
These styles along with jeans & T-shirts & psychedelic clothing were also very popular with youth, especially those at least 18. This trend continued on throughout the 1970s, which also included the wearing of bell-bottoms. The 1970s was considered to be all about individual expression.
In the 1980s overalls, sweat suits, Spandex sportswear, cotton jersey dress, & baseball shirts were often worn by teens. Additionally, parachute pants, jeans (straight-legged or narrow-cut), sneakers, & denim shirts or jackets.
1990s teen styles have many more variations than in decades before. As in the 1970s, fashion from this time on became more about individual expression for teens rather than following a trend. As a result, numerous sub-groups, often called “cliques” resulted.
From the 1990s to the present day (2007) one group of teens may wear the usual jeans & T-shirt outfit. Bell & flare-bottom pants are probably the items of clothing worn by the largest group of teens. Other groups, such as punks, wear ripped jeans, spiked or colored hair, & body piercing.
Speaking of body piercing, this practice has gone way beyond the traditional pierced ear. Navals, eyebrows, noses, & even private areas of the body are worn by teens.
In the present day, teen fashion has also become quite risqué, although fashion professionals frown upon certain trends. Midriff shirts that rise too high above the “belly button”, shirts that show too much on the top portion of the body, & opened-fly jeans are frown upon in many learning institutions.
Overall, clothing is much more casual & relaxed for teens than in times past. Most teens are not required to wear school uniforms at all, unless attending a private school (usually).
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