Fashion History
Chapter 5
The Earliest Clothing
• Made from natural resources as protection
from weather
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–
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Animal skins and hair
plants
grasses
tree bark
Fashions of Early Civilizations
Ancient Egypt
Made from lightweight linen and cotton which made
them suitable for the hot climate
MEN
• Knee-length skirts tied
in the front
• Sleeved shirt-like
garment completed
their outfits
WOMEN
• Long, straight dresses
that tied behind the
neck or at the
shoulder.
The Evolution of Fashion
• Many years ago, fashion changed very
slowly
• People often wore the same styles their
entire life
• Sometimes even generation to generation
Fashions of the Twentieth
Century
1900-1950
• During WWI, more women worked in
shops, offices and factories, so more
practical clothing developed.
• Looser garments, such as sweaters and
middy blouses with sailor collars, became
popular.
1920s
• Flapper Dresses
– Straight and short
– Adorned with fringe or flounces
– Worn with long string beads
1930s
MEN
• Unchanged in this
same period. Both
single-and doublebreasted suits were
popular.
WOMEN
• Became active in
sports which
encouraged wide
trousers and abovethe-knee shorts to
participate
• Evening gowns were
long and formfitting
1940s
• Both women and women wore tailored suits
with broad, padded shoulders.
• During WWII, a shortage of fabric occurred
because so many textiles were used for
military uniforms and equipment.
Football Team
• With the fashion industry closed
down by the war in Europe, the
designers turned to the military for
inspiration.
• The “bomber jacket” was based on
the Air Corps flying coat made of
leather with knit wrist cuffs to keep
out the wind.
This woman was married
in a suit quickly for her
husband to be shipped out.
1940s
• Women’s skirts became slimmer and shorter
due to fabric rationing.
• Nylon stockings were almost impossible to
get, so women wore cotton stockings
• Slacks and jumpsuits became the standard
work clothes for women as they replaced
men in factories
Fashion and War Restrictions
Stockings were expensive and usually not available!
1947- “The New Look”
• Softer, more feminine look
• Stylish, elegant and reflected the
opposite of wartime restrictions
• Hemlines fell to just above the ankle
• Skirts were incredibly full
• The shoulder pad was taken out to
eliminate the squared, manly look
1950s
• Dior introduced the A-line silhouette for
women
• Full skirts were worn with crinolines and
paired with sweater sets.
• Pants were rolled up or cropped for casual
wear.
1950s
• Men’s fashions featured the gray flannel
business suit--- single-breasted and loosely
fitted, with narrow lapels and natural
shoulders.
• Worn with a button-down oxford with a
narrow tie (Ivy League look)
• Dress shirts were now pale blue and yellow
not just white anymore.
1950s
• The T-shirt came out from under the dress
shirt influenced by James Dean
• The former undershirt was now worn on its
own with blue jeans
• Leather jackets were popular
• Young women wore a man’s shirt over a
pair of cuffed jeans with saddle shoes or
white bucks.
1960s
• The influence of fashion designers declined
and cultural events such as the Beatles,
Woodstock,and rock concerts.
• First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy became an
important fashion leader for women,
popularizing the Chanel suit and pillbox hat.
1960s
• Many young men started wearing colorful
fabrics and jewelry
• Men wore multi-colored, striped or check
shirts with their business suits
• Jacket lapels widened and pants were flared
or bell-bottomed.
• Men grew long side-burns, mustaches, or
beards to go with longer hair lengths.
1960s
• Women’s fashion focused on the miniskirt,
which kept rising throughout the decade
• Pantyhose were introduced and boots
became the “in” accessory.
• African Americans rediscovered tradtional
African garments made of kent cloth. Afro
hair styles and cornrow braids were widely
worn by both men and women.
1970s
• Mid- and maxi-length skirts were
introduced.
• Women wore more and more pant suitswhich gained acceptance for all occasions
• The unisex look was very popular
• Men and women wore the same styles in the
same fabrics and colors.
1970s
• Men wore the polyester pant suit to work
• Bright floral shirts were worn without ties
• The shirt collar rolled over the jacket collar
for a casual look
• Jeans became fashionable
• T-shirt had slogans printed on the front
• Hiphugger pants were worn
1980s
•
•
•
•
Broad, padded shoulders
Skirt lengths ranged from short to long
Designer jeans became a status symbol
Warm-up suits were worn for jogging and
for street-wear
• The standard outfit for yougn people
consisted for jeans, a shirt or sweater and
athletic shoes.
1980s
• Styles were influenced by Madonna, Cyndi
Lauper, Prince, and Michael Jackson
1990s
• Baggy pants to tight leggings; from
oversized shirts to skinny tops. No longer
did one style dominate.
• Styles from the past decades re-emerged in
the middle 1990s. Consumers were
attracted to fitted jackets from the 1950s,
sheath dresses from the 1960s and wrap
dresses and hiphugger pants from the 1970s.
1990s
• Casual business attire created a new
clothing category for men-- allowing khakis
and no ties
Today