Journal:

Shoes inspire strong feelings in women. How better to start a style/outfit than from the bottom up?

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”

-Bette Midler

-Define Terms for Ch. 5 (page 79)

Fashion HistoryCh. 5

Objectives:After completing this study, you should be able to –

•Explain how the first clothes and fabrics were made and worn•Describe the evolution of fashions from early civilizations to the nineteenth century•Discuss factors that influence fashion history•Give examples of clothing styles in the twentieth century

Examining The Issue

• How have bathing suits changes over the last century? Why did the overall style change?

• Why do teens wear the styles they wear?• What inspired them?• Could they have been worn in the 20th century?• Jeans are a favorite today of men and women!

Coal miners born 150 years ago loved jeans just as much for their sturdy construction.

• Did you know shoes are laced today in the same way that sheepherders laced their boots 1500 years ago?

The Earliest Clothing

• Thousands of years ago ---- clothes were made from natural resources as protection from weather.

• Animal skins and hair, plants, grasses, and tree bark were used.

• We have visual records like, drawings in caves and ancient Egyptian tombs to provide records.

The First Clothes and Fabrics

• Very simple in construction & design• Looking for food and shelter was a bigger

concern• In south Africa protection from the sun and

rain was most important….grass laced together was made into garments.

• Tools to make clothing were made from bones and string like tendons from animals.

The First Clothes and Fabrics

• A few thousand years later, present-day inhabitants of India and Pakistan produced fabric made from cotton.

• China women began using silkworms for their silken cocoons (kimono).

Fashions of Early Civilizations

• People began to learn how to raise animals and grow crops.

• Refining the arts of spinning, weaving, and dyeing gave them the ability to make very simple garments.

• They were wrapped or draped over the body. (Sheet activity on Monday)

• Rectangle fabric was easy to was and smooth out for drying.

The Evolution of Fashion

• Many years ago, people wore the same clothing for life.

• Clothing was handed down from one generation to another.

• Until the 14th century clothing was loose-fitting.

• Around 1350, people started wearing more fitted styles.

Middle Ages• 400-1400 – gradual change in clothing.• Men wore simple wool or linen tunics and long stockings.• Women wore tunics over long gowns.• Goatskin and sheepskin provided protection form cold

weather.• As the middle-class society developed, men wore knee-

length pants, called “breeches”.• Women’s gowns of middle-class had a fitted bodice, very

full skirt, and long, full sleeves.• Because these styles of the middle-class society

intimidated upper-class clothing tastes, sumptuary laws were created.

• These laws controlled what each social class could wear.• Only wealthy could wear silk garments trimmed with fur

and real silver accents.• Peasant clothes were limited to certain colors and fabrics.• Punishment for dressing out of one’s social class included

fines, imprisonment, and even death!

Renaissance Splendor

• Clothing styles in Italy, France, and Spain were elaborate with beautiful fabrics and elegant decorations.

• Gold thread was a sign of wealth.• The wealthier classes set the standard

for fashion, a trend we still see today?• Do you copy or gain inspiration from

celebrity styles?

The 17th Century

• During the reign of Louis XIV, France became the fashion leader.

• Lace became an important decoration on MEN’S garments.

• Shirts with long, full sleeves were embroidered with little ribbon bows.

• Women discarded hoops under their gowns and let them fall naturally from the waist to hem.

• Necklaces became lower and hairstyles became higher.

• What kinds of necklaces are popular this season?• Beauty marks were applied to the face

The 18th Century

• Early 1700’s = fashions for both men and women were very elegant.

• Lace, ribbon, and colorful silks were used.• Men wore suits with a fitted waist and flared

hems.• Women started wearing loose, flowing

dresses (very different from the wide skirts) made of rich fabrics and elaborate trims.

• Because these dresses had no room for pockets, purses evolved!!

The 19th Century1789-1799

• Dressing like royalty and upper classes was frowned on throughout Europe.

• Social change and the rise of the middle-class meant that many people could afford to buy new clothes more often.

• Mens’ fashions = cut away jackets, knee length coats, dark colors

• Womens’ fashions = raised waistline, known as the empire because it was inspired by Empress Josephine, wife of Napolean.

• Women’s dresses became fuller and more elaborate.• Fancy underskirts and hoops were worn.• Clothes were designed more for appearance than for

practicality and comfort.• This reflected the idea that women are fragile and

delicate.

Influences on Fashion History

• Trade• Societies began trading goods with each other and ideas that

influenced their clothing• The exchange of fashions was quickened by the practice of

barter – trading without money.• Politics and Power

• Kings, queens, and lesser nobility set the style.• The most dominant nations spread their influence to others.

• Religion• Clothing could be a statement of religious beliefs?• Is it today?

• Technology• Fabrics and Clothing has improved due to technological

advances• Garment construction became less labor intensive.

Growth of Ready-to-Wear

• Ready-to-wear = clothing made in advance for sale to any purchaser.

• Women = simple capes and shawls• Ready to wear clothing created jobs.• As stores began selling the ready-to-

wear clothing, they started carrying more merchandise.

Fashions of the 20th Century1900-1990’s

• Looser garments became popular, such as sweaters and blouses with sailor collars.

• 1950- fashions were influenced by the movies and tv shows. Pants were rolled up or cropped for casual wear. Sound familiar?

• 1960 – fashions were inspired by cultural events, such as the Beatles, Woodstock, and rock concerts. Men started wearing colorful fabrics and jewelry. Women wore mulitcolored, striped, or checked skirts (short). The mini-skirt evolved!

Fashions of the 20th Century1900-1990’s• 1970= women wore pantsuits.• The unisex look became popular.• 1980= broad, padded shoulders became popular.

Wide range of skirt lengths. Designer jeans became a status symbol. Has that changed? Warm-up suits were wore for jogging and as casual wear.

• 1990 and beyond= fashions for men and women became more natural in shape. Padded shoulders were a bad memory, baggy pants with tight leggings and oversized shirts to skinny tops were seen. Styles from past decades began to reappear. Jeans, leather jackets, baseball caps, and leisurewear became popular.