20th Century
Key Terms
Standardized Sizes- In 1937, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture prepared to conduct
a study of women's body measurements for the
purpose of creating a sizing system which the
entire industry could follow. Before, there were
no standardized sizes and there were no
guidelines for sizing patterns or clothing.
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In the mid 1940’s companies asked the
National Bureau of Standards to do research
and provide a reliable industry sizing guide.
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The resulting commercial standard was
distributed by NBS to the industry for comment
in 1953, formally accepted by the industry in
1957, and published asCommercial Standard
(CS)215-58 in 1958.
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World War I (1914-1918)-The wartime economy, the
change in population demographics, the expanding
domestic economy (with more people working), and the
shift to women in the workforce all had a tremendous
impact on fashion.
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Before WWI, France was the main fashion house.
People looked to French designers to see what was in
style.
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The most lasting change happened to women's
hemlines. Hems which had risen from floor length to
ankle length prior to the war, rose to mid calf length by
1916, and have stayed that high, or higher, ever since.
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World War II(1939-1945)-The government found it necessary to
ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time.
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Nylon and wool were both needed by the military and Japanese
silk was banned in the USA after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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New York Emerged as a Fashion Leader.
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Girdles were out as the rubber was needed for the war effort.
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Pants became a staple of women who worked in factories and
soon gained widespread acceptance for casual wear
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In February of 1947, Christian Dior introduced his New Look, a
style that shocked and outrages some and thrilled others.
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World War I and World War II
Videos
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D8sRGzeqag
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Bz5cWkGHA
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zMu9W4bxx4
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqa35zXH6Lo
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qafnJ6mRbgk
Christian Dior- a French fashion
designer whom is one of the most
important couturiers of the twentieth
century.
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In 1947, he launched his first collection
which featured the “New Look”
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The “New Look” consisted of rounded
shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very
fully skirt. A very feminine look.
•
After years of military and civilian
uniforms, restrictions, and shortages,
Dior offered not merely a new look but
a new outlook.
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Coco Chanel- A famous French Fashion
designer.
•She is the only fashion designer to
appear in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential
People of the 20th Century
•Chanel was credited with liberating women from
the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" and
popularizing the acceptance of a sportive, casual
chic.
•Chanel popularized the “little black dress”.
•Chanel No. 5 is still one of the top grossing
perfumes.
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Coco Chanel Videos/Articles
http://inside.chanel.com/en/coco/video
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http://www.biography.com/people/cocochanel-9244165
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