Fashion through the Ages

Fashion+through+the+Ages

Milla.Goldsmith

Even though centuries have passed, history has changed; and things have gone extinct, fashion has remained constant. Of course it changes all the time but it is always there, in hairstyles, clothing, and shoes. Whether it was the ball gowns of the 1800s or the swing skirts of the 60’s it’s always been apart of our world.

 

 

1800’s: French fashion was the leader of the 1800s. The 1800’s  were years of big dresses and big hair. You could see most women wearing big dresses with  hoops and bustles, which is a frame that shapes dresses. Hair was curled with curling irons and typically brushed 100 times a day. Talking about about  gowns, and bonnets would be like talking about birkenstocks and flannels in todays time.  Some of the popular fads of the 1800’s were empire dresses,chemisettes,pelisse, short spencer jackets,and redingotes. The desired fashion designers and icons were: Louis Vuitton, Leroy, and Charles Frederick Worth.

 

 

1900-1914: This was the Belle Epoque period, also known as the Beautiful Era. The most sought after clothing designers were from America and France. The two designers were New York Designer, Lucy a survivor of the titanic. Paris designer, Paul Poiret. Burlesque became increasingly popular during this time.The fancy gowns and bonnets disappeared quickly with the turn of the 1900th century. Fashion started to focus more on practicality, feminism, and simplicity, while still managing to be stunning. The  Edwardian Silhouette was all the rage. Straight front corsets replaced the skewered waist bone corset, because they were much more comfortable and better for a womans figure. Sleeves were billowy at the shoulder and slim down the rest of the arm. Marcelling, which is a type of curling and the Pompadour, where the hair was swept up at the forehead,  were the popular hairstyles. These styles were often paired with hats  with feathers and ribbons on them.

 

 

1914-1939: The 1st and 2nd world war influenced this time of fashion immensely. Women were doing “men’s” jobs, while the men were off fighting at war. So fashion began to become more practical to work in. Skirts got shorter, hair was cut and pulled back.The designers of this era were: Coco Chanel, Madame vionnet and Elsa Schiaparelli. Thus the flapper style begins, with Coco Chanel leading the style. For the first time  women’s sports swimwear was available. Once again France was is in the spotlight of the fashion world. Costume jewelry became popular thanks to Chanel. Short and bobbed hair came into to style. The popular clothing was vionnet dress, the little black flapper dress and the famous shoe hat.

 

 

1945-1960s: America took  the fashion reins from france and made womens sportswear, bathing suits, and pencil skirts popular fashions. Around 1946 paris took back control of the fashion with the shining new designer Christian Dior, along with Cristobel Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy and mastermind Yves saint laurent.

 

 

1960s: Fashion in the 60’s was polar opposite of fashion in the 50s, with bright colors, swirly patterns, psychedelic colors, and tie dye on most clothing. The beatles came into to style as did long hair and mini skirts. Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy were the fashion icons of the 60s. Beehives were the hairstyles to have.

 

1970s: Skirts were seen everywhere whether it was midi,micro,mini, or maxi. Everyone was wearing polyester and cowl neck sweaters. Bell bottoms, flower dresses, tennis headbands, track suits, tweeds, flannels and plaids were all the rage. Shoulder length page boy hair was popular for women and the retro look (which is using styles from the past and mixing them together) came into style in the late 70’s.

 

1980s: Valour and Velvet were both in style as were high waisted shorts. By the mid 80’s a whole new kind of style broke out.  Pop singers likes Cyndi Lauper and Madonna were the fashion icons.  Bright colors, teased hair, and neon were what to wear. MTV was where everyone was turning to get the fashion from music videos. Nike and cosby sweaters were in the closet of almost every household. The designers were: DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Dior

 

1990s: Grunge and baggy, no care clothing, and hip hop clothes dominated the 90’s. Flannels, denim jackets, biker leather jackets, overalls,cut offs and doc martens were the most popular styles.  Long hair was the style. Industrial and military styles came into style, but didn’t stay for very long. Kurt Cobain was the ultimate grunge icon.

 

2000-2014: Skinny jeans came into style in the early 2000’s and haven’t gone out. Ballet flats may not be the hottest fashion item, but they are a staple fashion item for most women. Comfy leggings and Uggs came into style and look like they’re here to stay for now.

 

2015: Skater Skirts, crop tops, birkenstocks are predicted to be the most popular fashion statements of 2015. Designer and Brands that are all the rage are Kendall and Kylie, and Brandy Melville.