A Somewhat Brief History of Fashion

BC Fashions

Fashions of this period come from several groups in existence at this time:

Egyptians, Cretes, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantine.

Most is known about Egyptian fashion due to their burial procedures. Linen

was used exclusively as a textile with the Egyptians because it was all were

able to grow in their area.

Cotton fragments on mummies

show evidence of dyeing using colours like

purple, green, yellow and green

1200-1300’s, 13th & 14th Century 0 The Bliaud was a dress worn by woman or men in this

time period.

Most people in the Middle Ages wore woolen clothing, with

undergarments made of linen. Brighter colors, better materials, and a longer jacket length were

usually signs of greater wealth.

Men of the wealthy classes sported hose and a jacket, often with pleating or

skirting, or a tunic with a surcoat.

1400-1500’s (The Renaissance, Shakespeare’s time)

The Hennin, was worn in the 14th and

15th century, was a cone-like hat

resembling the spires of the cathedral

spire.

16th century Women of this time used Pregnancy Pillows when the maternal look

was fashionable.

Men of this time wore a Codpiece, a decorative triangular piece of

fabric attached at the groin

The Farthingale was a stiff metal cone-shaped article worn under skirts, while the Ruff was a large

stiff collar worn at this time.

Farthingale

Ruff

17th century 0 The French Courtiers influence for this time

was a fashion which said “I don’t have to work for a living.”

0 The Puritan costumes were very simple. When religious values are ascendant, dress becomes austere.

The 1700’s started with the drastic extension of both the hips and the hair

for women. Women were beginning to make contributions to society by

becoming writers, business women, artists and doctors. The drastic visual

display of their dress was a spectacle which far outweighed the proportions

of a man.

This shows the hoop and

mask used under a ladies

dress to extend the hips

drastically.

0 Hair was piled high on the head in the Pompadour style and atop the mountain of hair (which usually included pieces of someone else’s hair called a Rat) sat large hats topped with feathers, bows and ribbons.

The Justaucorps for men was

the forerunner of today’s suitcoat.

The Spencer was a short jacket

without tails.

Near the end of the 1700’s women began to wear dresses that

followed the simple lines of the Greek silhouette. The hair

softened at this time as well. Women left behind the corset for a

brief time.

Empire Period

19th century

Fashion at this time went through some very distinct changes. The 19th

century starts with the Greek influence, then woman gradually add to the dress

until the Greek is not noticeable. The corset returns!

The high society had rich fashions, while the common people dressed simply.

It was an era of romance and manners

The well-dressed man of the nineteenth centruy England was called a Dandy.

The well-dressed woman wore a large bell-shaped skirt supported by crinoline. The

Worth creation brought the fullness of women’s skirts around to the back.

1850s

1820s

1880s

0 1890’s Exaggerated Hourglass

1895, Paris

1895

The exaggerated

Hourglass was the

silhouette style of this

decade. Shoulders

were wide, waists

were cinched in

unmercifully by corsets

and the hip was

incredibly increased by

the bustle.

Historical events of the time

Trend: Feminine; hemlines were floor-length to above the ankle

Silhouette: Softer, fluid lines; straighter skirts, easy movement; corsets were no longer in fashion

Fabrics: Gossamer, silk Colors: Pastels; vivid, bright,

and bold colors made by new dyeing techniques

Designers: Paul Poiret, Jeanne Paquin

1910 – Ballets Russes perform in

Paris, inspiring Asian-influenced

harem pants, kimonos, and turbans

(black and white photo)

1912 – Sinking of the Titanic (typical

fashion worn by women at that time

is shown above right)

1914-1918 – World War I; skirts rise

to mid-calf, colors get darker and

monochromatic, and clothes

become practical for women to work

in (bottom left picture)

1916 – First issue of Vogue

1910 - 1919

Historical events of the time

Trend: Sporty, athletic; short, bob hairstyle; sleeveless dresses; knee-length hemlines; high heels; cloche hats; costume jewelry

Silhouette: Straight lines; waist is lowered to hip on dresses; no defined waistline; diagonal hems

Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey, tweeds, fringe, beading

Colors: Bold color combinations; solid shades; geometric patterns

Designers: Coco Chanel, Jean Patou

1920 – Women are granted the right

to vote, leading to more independence

1923 – Flapper style becomes popular

when short skirts are necessary for

dancing the Charleston

1926 – Coco Chanel creates the “little

black dress” which becomes one of

the most essential pieces in fashion

1929 – Stock market crashes, leading

to the Great Depression

1920s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Feminine; menswear-inspired; mid-calf hemlines; sportswear; pant suits; backless gowns; wedge heels

Silhouette: Clean lines; cinched in waist; narrow hips; broad shoulders; triangular shape

Fabrics: Bias-cut; silk, gabardine, chiffon; pleats and draping

Colors: Muted colors and refined, elegant shades

Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli, Charles James

1930 – the Great Depression begins

a time of hardship, bad economy,

and unemployment

1931 – Empire State Building is

completed, showcasing the trend of

Art Deco design

1937 – Amelia Earhart vanishes

(masculine style clothes are

inspired by her)

1939 – World War II begins

1930s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Fabric shortage caused shorter hemlines; shirtdresses; thick heels; mix and match styles; military-look

Silhouette: A-line skirts; straight skirts; feminine shapes; square shoulders

Fabrics: Gingham, denim, mix and match patterns; using older clothes to make new clothes

Colors: Patriotic colors, navy, gray, and brown

Designers: Claire McCardell, Christian Dior

1940 – 1945 – Women work outside the home while men are

fighting war; practical clothes are in style

1942 – T-shirt is introduced

1945 – World War II ends; women go back to being

homemakers; housework-inspired clothes are in style

1946 – Bikinis are introduced

1940s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Retro fashion of the early 1900s; feminine; cocktail dresses; bolero jackets; pencil skirts; petticoat skirts; Capri pants; ballerina flats; stiletto heels; gloves

Silhouette: Hour glass shape; cinched in waist, flared skirt, soft shoulders

Fabrics: Taffeta, wools, gazar silk

Colors: Pastels, grays, muted shades and jewel tones

Designers: Valentino, Cristobal Balenciaga

1951 – Color TV is introduced

1954 – Chanel introduces her famous black

collarless suit jacket and skirt with gold

chain trim

1955 – Disneyland opens

1959 – Barbie is introduced

1950s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Early 60s – a-lines and pencil skirts, Jackie Kennedy style; Mid 60s – Mod, miniskirts; Late 60s – hippie, relaxed clothes

Silhouette: Straight line, waistless shift; trapeze dress; bell sleeves

Fabrics: Geometric patterns, cotton, jersey, wool, crochet

Colors: Pales, black, white, bright, bold, tie-dye, neon

Designers: Mary Quant, Pierre Cardin, Laura Ashley, Pucci

1963 – John F. Kennedy is assassinated

ending Camelot era and Jackie Kennedy

fashion

1964 – Beatles become popular in U.S.,

starting London style and Mod fashion

1969 – First man on moon; Woodstock

sparks hippie fashion

1960s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Bell bottom pants; platform shoes; wrap dresses; gaucho pants; Annie Hall menswear look

Silhouette: A-line skirts; body- draping clothes; above-the-knee to mid-calf hemlines; softer shapes

Fabrics: Plaids, polyester, rayon, jersey, tweed, wool

Colors: Patriotic colors (honoring bicentennial); pastels; bright, shimmery satins; muted tweeds for work

Designers: Ralph Lauren, Halston, Gucci, Diane Von Furstenberg

1970 – Beatles break up

1973 – DVF creates first wrap

dress

1975 – Microsoft founded

1977 – Star Wars premieres

1970s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Preppie look; pop music styles; retro fashion of the 1950s; cocktail dresses; acid wash jeans, designer jeans; big hair; balloon skirts; crop tops; exercise wear (bicycle shorts, legwarmers); ballerina flats; leggings; tunics; big sweaters; pumps

Silhouette: Bulky top with skinny bottom; shoulder pads; tight jeans; shorter hemlines; feminine 1950s hour glass shape

Fabrics: Taffeta, tulle, lycra, rayon, denim, sequins, knits

Colors: Neons, brights, jewel tones, bold, black

Designers: Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, Perry Ellis, Calvin Klein

1981 – Royal Wedding of Lady Diana and

Prince Charles

1982 – Michael Jackson releases Thriller

1986 – Chernobyl nuclear accident

1987 – Stock Market crashes

1989 – Berlin wall comes down

1980s

Historical events of the time

Trend: crop tops; baggy jeans; tapered leg jeans; floral dresses; boyfriend blazers; palazzo pants; grunge style; lumberjack shirts; overalls; platform tennis shoes

Silhouette: Baggy top with small bottom or small top with baggy bottom; long, slender shapes; flowing lines

Fabrics: Cotton, denim, knits, flannel, spandex

Colors: dark, muted; floral patterns; plaid; color block; monochromatic; black

Designers: Giani Versace, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Ford

1991 – Collapse of the Soviet Union

1992 – Official end of the Cold War

1993 – Internet is widely used

1994 – Kurt Cobain dies, ending Grunge era

1997 – Princess Diana dies

1990s

Historical events of the time

Trend: Vintage and Retro fashion; long lines from the 1930s, nautical look from 1930s and 1940s, shirtdresses from 1940s and 1970s, bohemian skirts and tops from 1970s; skinny jeans and tunics from 1980s

Silhouette: long, lean; straight skirts; short skirts; tapered legs on pants; feminine and masculine shapes

Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey, khaki, linen, rayon; vintage clothes

Colors: All colors from muted and pale to bold and neon

Designers: Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney, classic and vintage

2001 – Attacks on World Trade Center

2003 – War in Iraq begins

2005 – Hurricane Katrina

2008 – Obama is elected first African

American President

2010 – Alexander McQueen dies

2000 - 2010