From the conventional Victorian dresses of the 1800’s to the rock-and-roll tee shirts of the 1980’s, American culture has experienced incredibly diverse trends in clothing. This ever changing timeline of fashion provokes the question: what is the cause of such differing styles? By considering the state of society throughout the eras, it can be seen that clothing directly correlates with the current way of life. Specifically, American women’s fashion of the 1920’s and 1930’s proves to not simply be a meaningless trend – rather an accurate reflection of the specific era. As the stock market booms and society prospers, women’s fashion undergoes drastic change during the 1920’s. The hems of skirts and dresses rise to newer, more promiscuous level. The traditional long hair, supposedly the crowning glory of a women, is cut shoulder-length or shorter. Defined waistlines are lost, giving way to a shapeless and loose fitting style of clothing. Manufacturing of cosmetics emerges during this decade, and a variety of products become popular among women. The famous Gabrielle Chanel, more commonly known as “Coco Chanel,” introduces her renowned perform in the late 1920s (Yarwood 139). Peggy Whitley, dean at Lone Star College, sums up the newfound cosmetic craze in her American Cultural article: “Powder, lipstick, rouge, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, colored nails. They had it all!” Associated with the distinct new styles of the era, the iconic “flapper girl” is born. This term is often used for women who donned the edgy style of the time, particularly with a defiant and independent outlook on life. Outside the exciting and rebellious life of the flapper girl, everyday clothing also experiences significant change. Relaxed sport’s attire bec... ... middle of paper ... ...and Hudson, 1977. Print. Skinner, Tina, and Tammy Ward. Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Early 1930s. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2007. Print. Skinner, Tina, and Tammy Ward. Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1930s. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2006. Print. Sutton, Bettye. "1930-1939." American Cultural History. Lone Star College-Kingwood Library, 1999. Web. 7 Feb. 2011. Ward, Tammy. Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Mid 1930s. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2007. Print. Whitley, Peggy. "1920-1929." American Cultural History. Lone Star College Kingwood-Library, 07 Feb. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. "Women's Clothing, 1920’s." Uvm.edu. University of Vermont, n.d. Web. 29 March 2014. "Women's Clothing, 1930’s" Uvm.edu. University of Vermont, n.d. Web. 9 April 2014. Yarwood, Doreen. Fashion in the Western World. New York: Batsford, 1992. Print.
"Fashion Timeline : 1920 To 1930." Vintage Fashion Guild. Vintage Fashion Guild, 2014. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. .
Baker Patricia, 1991, Fashions Of A Decade: The 1950's,. New York, Facts On File, Inc.
The fashion in the 20’s were also called the flapper era, Women’s fashions in the early 1920's experienced powerful changes
NIVEN LOWENSTEIN, F (2012) Fabulous Fashions of the 1970s. United States of America: Lake Book Manufacturing Inc.
of the 1920’s. The fashion went from everything being the same to having so many different things to choose from.Therefore we can all have a different style to fit our personalities.
The lives of the young and wild women of the twenties began with a new attitude and a completely different look. The Flapper is “an emancipated young woman who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes of the day”. Generally, one would cut their long hair down to a short, boy like bob and dye it jet black. Many wore dress that were very bright, flashy, loose fitting, and would not hang past the knee. Close fitting felt hats, many strings of beads, pumps, and skin toned stockings typically completed the look of a flapper. So many young women completely changed their lifestyles in their fight for equality. Smoking cigarettes and drinking immense amounts of alcohol in public became a normal attraction. Too many young girls were speaking openly about sexual activity, as well as other numerous activities that would have ruined their reputations, and lives not too long before. The discussion, of courtship and relationships completely and utterly offended...
In the 1940’s women needed a minimal wardrobe, this meant clothes needed to have maximum versatility. Clothes were mostly hand-made due to rationing however, women still created exciting and innovative
The majority of the historical events that took place in the 1920’s, greatly influenced the way women dressed, as the automobile industry grew, so did female’s interest in cars. As they became drivers, women’s clothes have been adjusted accordingly to their more liberated lifestyle, with sporty clothes becoming one of the leading fashion trends.
Whitley, Peggy. "American Cultural History - The Twentieth Century: 1910 - 1919."American Cultural History. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2014. .
Girls teased their hair, wore a lot of makeup and wore big hoop earing’s. Women wore skin-tight cotton leggings and off the shoulder tops. Parachute pants with crop tops that stopped just above the belly button. The picture to your right you can see what girls wore for their daily outfit (“1980s Fashion”).
Women would wear typical house dresses for chores around the house, errands, or picking up their kids from school. During social gatherings, women would dress up in cocktail dresses or short ball gowns. While men usually always wore suits to any social gathering or formal event. Most clothes were purchased from local clothing shops or boutiques. But the wealthy class, was able to afford the most expensive brand of clothing through the 1940’s and 1950s called Mainbocher. He never designed off-the-rack clothing, and mostly made high-end
Have you ever heard of Dolman Sleeves, Polo, or even Little Black Dresses? Well this essay talks all about them. So sit back, and take a journey to the 1930’s fashion trends from Mens polos to women’s clothing for a night in the town. The nazis were the big bad guys of this time period and they made things a little interesting for people, manley Jews. If you thought the 1980’s, 1960’s or even the 1900’s were crazy, wait till you read about the 1930’s.
In the 1920’s the fashion was known as loose fitting clothes that had a straight fit, this was no different when talking about the color orange. The dresses were all pretty straight and a lot of the garments had little ruffles that added some detail. More specifically one of the 20 ’s dress was called dancing dress which was sleeveless with short hems and dropped waists. Something that was very interesting in the 20’s section
The 1930’s was a difficult time for American history. Despite the difficult times the fashion industry still bloomed in many different ways. Fashion in the 1930’s was significantly different from fashion in the 2000’s.
During the day, women wore the cloche hat-one of the most persistent fashions of the decade-to tea dances, to lunch parties at their own homes, and around town in the streets (Herald 30). The evening fashion of the flappers was elaborate and exquisite. They wore low-cut dresses made from beaded chiffon fabrics (Women’s Fashion). The length of dresses and skirts of the era was not accidental. They were so short that the tops of the stockings were typically seen (Herald 29). Flappers’ fashion during the 1920s was hoydenish and haughty, with dresses that hung free from the body, bare arms shown, and hemlines that gradually crept up the knee and higher as the 1920s progressed (Jailer-Chamberlain). The 1920s was a splendid time of new freedoms for women expressed through rakish fashion