Evolution of Styling(in Accessories)

BELTS

• Belt -a simple way to pull together a figure-flattering outfit• Belts became memorable at Alexander McQueen and

Burberry’s spring’s waist focused runways.• Military girdles considered the first belts documented in

clothing history. • 1850s, women dresses were adorned with sashes made in

matching fabrics. • 1920s when lowered waists of the flapper fashion became

popular, belts were dropped.• 1930S- they were back in fashion• Michelle Obama has been known for wearing various

widths of belts over shift dresses, cardigans and even coats.

Yves Saint Laurent and Betty Catroux, both wearing low slung belts with their safari styles

Burberry’s s/s 2012 pleated green midi dress with standout beaded woven belt

70′s Style icon, Ali Macgraw wearing a popular chain belt

Some iconic belt styles

• cowboy, gaucho, obi, ribbon or belly chain, certain kinds of belts can instantly signify a time and place in fashion history: prim and proper, the skinny belt secured the ladylike shirtwaists of the 50s housewife; the low slung hip belt accentuated Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic safari jackets in 1968 and chain belts gave the appropriate amount of bohemian swagger to the disco divas of Studio 54.

BAGS

• 18TH century The silhouette became slender and close to the body. Women no longer wanted lumpy pockets. Thus, the first women’s bag or reticule evolved. It was often made of luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet and embellished with ribbons andtassels, reticules were dainty, petite, and ladylike. Most women had several bags for different occasions and matched their bags with clothes and events that they attended. Magazines of the day published articles explaining proper use of handbags.

• By the end of the eighteenth century industrial revolution occurred and large numbers of women were working in offices and factories. T heir handbag changed from dainty to serious.

• The 1920’s saw a revolution in fashion with shorter hemlines and lighter clothing. the new independent woman was a free spirit, for evening women carried cocktail bags and by day the clutch bag. The clutch bag was tucked neatly under one arm,

• 1950’s women returned to the home. The tote was ideal for the beach and shopping.• In Europe we saw the rise of designer houses including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Herms. Coco Chanel showed her first

quilted bag in 1955, the bag became a timeless classic.• 1970’s saw a rise in self-expression and individuality. The ethnic look was predominating. Handbags or bags had

embroidered patchwork designs or suede fringe. Bags wore loose, reminiscence of 1920’s and 1930’s styles.

• 1980s and 90s - T1980s-1990s: Conspicuous Consumption and the Unisex Bag

• The 1980s' handbags became associated with conspicuous consumption--and for the first time, a concern with health and fitness sports bags and shoes were an additional group of accessories that influenced high fashion. In addition, as technology introduced the calculator and filofax, work bags were designed for order and control. In 1985, Miuccia Prada introduced the black nylon knapsack that become the first totally unisex bag, and it remains ubiquitous.

• today women are working professionals, students, and stay at home moms. The everyday handbag is perfect because it has to be comfortable to carry, fashionable to wear, and sturdy enough to fulfill its duty: carrying essentials such as keys, a wallet, lipstick, and a cell phone. A women's handbag is a fashion statement.

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