By Shannon Perry

One Hundred Years of Women’s Fashion

Trends Through

the Decades

(1910 – 2010)

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Feminine; hemlines were floor-length to above the ankle

• Silhouette: Softer, fluid lines; straighter skirts, easy movement; corsets were no longer in fashion

• Fabrics: Gossamer, silk • Colors: Pastels; vivid, bright, and bold

colors made by new dyeing techniques• Designers: Paul Poiret, Jeanne Paquin1910 – Ballets Russes perform in Paris,

inspiring Asian-influenced harem pants, kimonos, and turbans (black and white photo)

1912 – Sinking of the Titanic (typical fashion worn by women at that time is shown above right)

1914-1918 – World War I; skirts rise to mid-calf, colors get darker and monochromatic, and clothes become practical for women to work in (bottom left picture)

1916 – First issue of Vogue

1910 - 1919

• Trend: Sporty, athletic; short, bob hairstyle; sleeveless dresses; knee-length hemlines; high heels; cloche hats; costume jewelry

• Silhouette: Straight lines; waist is lowered to hip on dresses; no defined waistline; diagonal hems

• Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey, tweeds, fringe, beading

• Colors: Bold color combinations; solid shades; geometric patterns

• Designers: Coco Chanel, Jean Patou

1920 – Women are granted the right to vote, leading to more independence

1923 – Flapper style becomes popular when short skirts are necessary for dancing the Charleston

1926 – Coco Chanel creates the “little black dress” which becomes one of the most essential pieces in fashion

1929 – Stock market crashes, leading to the Great Depression

1920’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Feminine; menswear-inspired; mid-calf hemlines; sportswear; pant suits; backless gowns; wedge heels

• Silhouette: Clean lines; cinched in waist; narrow hips; broad shoulders; triangular shape

• Fabrics: Bias-cut; silk, gabardine, chiffon; pleats and draping

• Colors: Muted colors and refined, elegant shades

• Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli, Charles James

1930 – the Great Depression begins a time of hardship, bad economy, and unemployment

1931 – Empire State Building is completed, showcasing the trend of Art Deco design

1937 – Amelia Earhart vanishes (masculine style clothes are inspired by her)

1939 – World War II begins

1930’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Fabric shortage caused shorter hemlines; shirtdresses; thick heels; mix and match styles; military-look

• Silhouette: A-line skirts; straight skirts; feminine shapes; square shoulders

• Fabrics: Gingham, denim, mix and match patterns; using older clothes to make new clothes

• Colors: Patriotic colors, navy, gray, and brown

• Designers: Claire McCardell, Christian Dior

1940 – 1945 – Women work outside the home while men are fighting war; practical clothes are in style

1942 – T-shirt is introduced

1945 – World War II ends; women go back to being homemakers; housework-inspired clothes are in style

1946 – Bikinis are introduced

1940’s

Historical events of the time

• Trend: Retro fashion of the early 1900s; feminine; cocktail dresses; bolero jackets; pencil skirts; petticoat skirts; Capri pants; ballerina flats; stiletto heels; gloves

• Silhouette: Hour glass shape; cinched in waist, flared skirt, soft shoulders

• Fabrics: Taffeta, wools, gazar silk • Colors: Pastels, grays, muted

shades and jewel tones• Designers: Valentino, Cristobal

Balenciaga

1951 – Color TV is introduced

1954 – Chanel introduces her famous black collarless suit jacket and skirt with gold chain trim

1955 – Disneyland opens

1959 – Barbie is introduced

1950’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Early 60s – a-lines and pencil skirts, Jackie Kennedy style; Mid 60s – Mod, miniskirts; Late 60s – hippie, relaxed clothes

• Silhouette: Straight line, waistless shift; trapeze dress; bell sleeves

• Fabrics: Geometric patterns, cotton, jersey, wool, crochet

• Colors: Pales, black, white, bright, bold, tie-dye, neon

• Designers: Mary Quant, Pierre Cardin, Laura Ashley, Pucci

1963 – John F. Kennedy is assassinated ending Camelot era and Jackie Kennedy fashion

1964 – Beatles become popular in U.S., starting London style and Mod fashion

1969 – First man on moon; Woodstock sparks hippie fashion

1960s1960’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Bell bottom pants; platform shoes; wrap dresses; gaucho pants; Annie Hall menswear look

• Silhouette: A-line skirts; body- draping clothes; above-the-knee to mid-calf hemlines; softer shapes

• Fabrics: Plaids, polyester, rayon, jersey, tweed, wool

• Colors: Patriotic colors (honoring bicentennial); pastels; bright, shimmery satins; muted tweeds for work

• Designers: Ralph Lauren, Halston, Gucci, Diane Von Furstenberg

1970 – Beatles break up

1973 – DVF creates first wrap dress

1975 – Microsoft founded

1977 – Star Wars premieres

1970’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Preppie look; pop music styles; retro fashion of the 1950s; cocktail dresses; acid wash jeans, designer jeans; big hair; balloon skirts; crop tops; exercise wear (bicycle shorts, legwarmers); ballerina flats; leggings; tunics; big sweaters; pumps

• Silhouette: Bulky top with skinny bottom; shoulder pads; tight jeans; shorter hemlines; feminine 1950s hour glass shape

• Fabrics: Taffeta, tulle, lycra, rayon, denim, sequins, knits

• Colors: Neons, brights, jewel tones, bold, black• Designers: Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, Perry

Ellis, Calvin Klein

1981 – Royal Wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles

1982 – Michael Jackson releases Thriller

1986 – Chernobyl nuclear accident

1987 – Stock Market crashes

1989 – Berlin wall comes down

1980’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: crop tops; baggy jeans; tapered leg jeans; floral dresses; boyfriend blazers; palazzo pants; grunge style; lumberjack shirts; overalls; platform tennis shoes

• Silhouette: Baggy top with small bottom or small top with baggy bottom; long, slender shapes; flowing lines

• Fabrics: Cotton, denim, knits, flannel, spandex

• Colors: dark, muted; floral patterns; plaid; color block; monochromatic; black

• Designers: Giani Versace, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Ford

1991 – Collapse of the Soviet Union

1992 – Official end of the Cold War

1993 – Internet is widely used

1994 – Kurt Cobain dies, ending Grunge era

1997 – Princess Diana dies

1990’s

Historical events of the

time

• Trend: Vintage and Retro fashion; long lines from the 1930s, nautical look from 1930s and 1940s, shirtdresses from 1940s and 1970s, bohemian skirts and tops from 1970s; skinny jeans and tunics from 1980s

• Silhouette: long, lean; straight skirts; short skirts; tapered legs on pants; feminine and masculine shapes

• Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey, khaki, linen, rayon; vintage clothes

• Colors: All colors from muted and pale to bold and neon

• Designers: Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney, classic and vintage

2001 – Attacks on World Trade Center

2003 – War in Iraq begins

2005 – Hurricane Katrina

2008 – Obama is elected first African American President

2010 – Alexander McQueen dies

2000’s

Historical events of the

time