Laurente 1
Adeline Laurente
Honors US History II Period 4/5
April 5, 2012
In Style for Decades
Laurente 2
The fashion society has had a large impact on all Americans throughout the decades.
Throughout the twentieth century certain trends and designs tended to expand and have great
variety. Demonstrations of women’s rights were portrayed by the revelation of women’s skin
during the twenties. However, when a more conservative woman was what seemed appealing,
women adapted to that role, and it reflected in their dress during the fifties. Throughout the
seventies both men and women dressed in a liberated manner in order to reflect their patriotic
and freed beliefs. As fashion continued to evolve during the decades of the 1900s, new trends
were labeled as being hipster, prepster, retro, and many more. However, at the beginning of the
twenty-first century many different designs began to repeat themselves. The American fashion
sense became highly influenced by the trends of the past. Despite the abrupt halt of the
progression of a variety of designs, the fashion society is still able to be successful. This is
because the repetition of certain trends acts as a reminder of the different beliefs and values that
existed in Americans in past decades. The different events and affairs that existed in America
during the twentieth century affect the culture of today and are reflected in fashion, which is a
main reason why the repetition of various trends still exists.
Popular trends can easily be noticed in the dress and attire that Americans present
themselves in. The culture of America always tends to go through a specific phase. Different
styles and prints are prone to change after a certain period of time. During the twentieth century
new styles began to appear as a new decade began. For example, the hipster appearance of the
seventies changed to a more retro or preppy look during the eighties. American citizens are
highly influenced to try keep up with popular trends. Therefore, as different phases come and
pass, Americans are seen to change their appearance accordingly.
Although trends during the twentieth century seemed to fluctuate quite often, each of the
Laurente 3
trends had great successes. The popularity of different designs greatly impacted the fashion
society, and still does so today. The different phases Americans go through tend to go in a cycle
and often get repeated over time. This can be noticed, especially in different styles and clothing
that Americans choose to dress in. Similar to an occurrence during the beginning of the eighties,
Americans shifted from being hipster to a more prepster look. During the early twenty-first
century Americans went through the phase of dressing in hipster clothing once again. However,
it was seen that “the stereotype of a hipster is not something people aspire to anymore,” and
instead the idea of “the rebirth of prep” hailed over the fashion society (Coholan). The rebirth of
a trend from the past reflects the idea that Americans are repeating a phase that already existed in
previous decades.
Many different struggles and victories occurred in American culture throughout the
twentieth century. People often reflected their morals, values, and attitudes in the way that they
dressed. For example, for men the depiction of success was portrayed by the suit and tie look
because “the Yuppie lifestyle took over the workforce” (Feinstein). This required a professional
appearance to be carried out while at work. Many Americans exhibited that “their appearance
was usually a reflection of their successes” in whatever business they were involved in
(Beshears). The idea of a professional look with use of a suit and a tie is still seen in the
workforce today. Also, the ideal look began to reflect in women as more rights began to arise.
The creation of work suits and dresses allowed women throughout America to also be depicted
as successful by the eyes of society. The fashion society influenced Americans, both in the past
and today, to portray a presentable appearance while in the workforce in order to be deemed as
successful.
Americans were forced to endure many difficult circumstances throughout the twentieth
Laurente 4
century. Fashion allowed them to exhibit the emotions that were felt at the time, which could not
always be expressed with words. During the 1900s Americans fought in many different wars,
including World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. The citizens were
split between supporting and being against the war. They often expressed how they felt towards
the war in the way that they dressed. For example, those who supported the war were often seen
in patriotic clothing with the incorporation of the American flag into the design. However, those
who did not support the war often were found in hippie clothing, which had the intent of
portraying a look of peace and freedom. The feelings of patriotism, liberation, and freedom still
exist in society today; especially in regards to the different affairs the United States are involved
in. The wars and struggles we are involved in now create the same attitudes and beliefs that
Americans had in previous decades. The similar views of the twentieth century and the twentyfirst century are reflected in the appearance Americans choose to dress themselves in.
America’s struggle with rights for all existed during the time of independence and still
remains an issue today. However, the fight to gain rights was evident throughout the twentieth
century. The early 1900s was an important time for women who desired rights. While protesting
for equal rights, women were often seen in clothing that was similar to a man’s. This allowed
them to express their desires and hopes without the need of too many words. However, as more
rights were granted towards women, they gained a more liberated feel. After years of being
forced to portray a conservative look because of the risk of being persecuted, women were
finally able to express the beauty of their bodies. Throughout the 1920s there began to be an
“epiphany of female flesh” as “the feeling of freedom takes over women and has effect on their
clothing choices” (Alapack). These contrasting portrayals of women still exist in society today.
The exposure of skin is not so much an issue anymore, but neither is the conservative look. Both
Laurente 5
fashion choices acts as a reminder to women of their fight for rights. Women’s rights had an
effect on trends that existed in women’s clothing, and is still affecting various designs that exist
in the fashion society today.
The culture of America is highly influenced by its surroundings. This is a major
reason why different trends gain popularity throughout the entire nation. Easily accessible media
is a major cause of the spread of new appearances and designs. The time period of the mid 1900s
to today has had the luxury of seeing advertisements for fashion everywhere. Television, movies,
billboards, magazines, and many more means of advertizing allow fashion to spread to all
Americans. Appearances are prone to change based on different social identities, cultural
behaviors, and socioeconomic classes. For example, as different rights were fought for, the entire
nation was influenced. All citizens who advocated the various civil acts could relate to the
emotions and feelings that their fellow Americans felt. They wanted to show their support by
presenting themselves in clothing that reflected their views. The ideas for clothing designs were
easily spread throughout America because of the media. The idea of American fashion being
influenced by different views can be related to many other different aspects, including the desire
for peace, love, and justice. However, these different aspects are the same today as they were in
the past. The way that Americans present themselves now can have similarities with the way
they looked in previous decades because the culture is always easily influenced into following
popular trends.
There are distinct similarities between the fashions of the twentieth century and the
fashions today. Whether it is the everlasting wear of jeans, or the use of the popular floral print,
Americans tend to be repetitive with their clothing choices and appearance. “Fashion trends
today have roots in past decades” because of the ideologies that always exist in American culture
Laurente 6
(Madison). Many fashion designers are highly influenced by the designs of the past to help them
create a trend that will be pleasing to the entire nation. However, previous trends will always be
the basis of new designs if they continue to influence the clothing and accessories used by all
citizens. Fashion proves to be timeless, as it is able to regain high popularity despite the passing
of large periods of time. “Major fashion trends have remained in fashion society until today”
because it is the culture of Americans to continue to possess the perpetual actions, beliefs, and
values that have existed in this nation for all time (Blackstone).
Laurente 7
Works Cited
Alapack, Richard J. "The Epiphany of Female Flesh: A Phenomenological
Hermeneutic of Popular Fashion." EBSCO Industries, Inc. EBSCO, 10 Dec.
2009. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/
pdfviewer?sid=291a837f-2f4d-4fc8-9a7c-5a202ee821d9%40sessionmgr4&vid=13&hid=7>.
Beshears, Laura. "Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of
the 1920s and 1930s." EBSCO Industries, Inc. EBSCO, Sept. 2010. Web. 5 Mar.
2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/
pdfviewer?sid=291a837f-2f4d-4fc8-9a7c-5a202ee821d9%40sessionmgr4&vid=16&hid=14>.
Blackstone, Tiffany. "The 7 Biggest Fashion Trends of the past 70 Years."
Glamour. Glamour Co., 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 5 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2009/03/
7-biggest-fashion-trends-of-the-past-70-years#slide=6>.
Coholan, Kasey. "Hipster to Prepster." EBSCO Industries, Inc. EBSCO, 11 Oct.
2010. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/
detail?sid=291a837f-2f4d-4fc8-9a7c5a202ee821d9%40sessionmgr4&vid=7&hid=119&bdata
=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=54337130>.
Drake, Nicholas, and Nicholas Drake. The Fifties in Vogue. New York: Conde Nast,
1987. Print.
Feinstein, Stephen. Decades of the 20th Century: The 1980s. Berkeley Heights:
Enslow, 2000. Print.
Laurente 8
Feinstein, Stephen, and Stephen Feinstein. Decades of the 20th Century: The
1990s. Berkeley Heights: Enslow, 2000. Print.
Wray, Madison. "Today's Fashion Trends Have Roots in past Decades." The Flyer.
The Flyer, 22 Nov. 2010. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. <http://www.fairmontflyer.com/
features/2010/11/22/fashion-from-one-decade-to-another/>.