As our society becomes more globalized, the role of fashion is changing. People are now more willing to invest in higher-quality items at a higher price point, rather than throwing money at every season’s fad. Although this might seem counterintuitive, this trend is not entirely counterproductive. With less money to spend, people are choosing to invest in clothes that will last for several seasons instead of buying new ones every season.
While classic fashion rarely goes out of style, minor changes are made to stay up to date. But, fads come and go, with many of them lasting only a season or two and then never being worn again. Fads usually follow particular tastes and are associated with cultural and social status. And, while they may seem to be in vogue in the moment, fashion trends are actually a reflection of global events. However, you can never tell which trend is the next big thing.
The nineties saw a dramatic shift in fashion. Crop tops and halter tops became popular. Women and men both began to embrace T-shirts and sweaters as a means of personal expression. Graphics, catch phrases, and pop culture references are now common on casual shirts. It is not hard to find an example of an outfit in this decade. These styles were often influenced by the decade in which they were produced.
Earlier, fashion innovations were the work of tailors, dressmakers, and textile industry. Since the advent of cheap color printing in the 1920s, mainstream men’s and women’s magazines began to give heavy coverage to fashion. Hence, Haute Couture designers began introducing ready-to-wear lines. These now dwarf couture businesses. Television coverage began with small features, but soon grew to more frequent shows. During the 1970s, television began to offer fashion shows on various entertainment shows.
During the thirties, women wore feminine blouses with v-necks, long bows around the neck, and sleeveless dresses. Later, cotton jersey dresses and denim shirts became popular. Women wore colorful shirts and asymmetrical skirts. Fashion in the eighties was all about bright colors and neon patterns. They also embraced hippie style and wore Indian cheesecloth shirts and Nehru jackets.
In the 1920s, a new style of blouse was introduced: the jumper blouse. Made of cotton or silk, this jumper blouse was paired with a skirt, belt, or sash. The low-cut v-neck shirt was also popular. Later, this was replaced with a man-made material. Gingham skirts became popular among men and women during this decade. If you are planning on buying one of these pieces, take a look at their vintage fashion magazines.
Women’s fashion during the 1920s changed dramatically as a result of the Great Depression and World War II. The advent of the war in Europe forced people to make thriftier clothing choices. Some clothing measures were introduced during the war, such as the banning of elastic and zip fasteners. The Great Depression also prompted many Americans to steer away from flapper dresses. For example, women began wearing a new type of skirt that was more fitted around the waist.
The age of the lost youth in Europe was followed by a transition to androgynous-looking women. These women emulated the straight, immature figure of an immature boy. The maternal hourglass figure of the Edwardian era was replaced by a more androgynous look. The Gibson Girl was a symbol of this transition. Constricting corsets were gradually replaced by lighter foundation garments. Girdles and brassieres were invented. Stockings were introduced into the back seams and were also widely worn for everyday wear.
The 1930s brought a dramatic change in clothing styles. Despite the economic depression, the 1930s saw a wide variety of clothing styles. Women opted to wear dresses, hats, and long skirts. In addition, hairstyles were more feminine than ever before, and the waist was accentuated with clogs and a belt. In the spring, full skirts with charming patterns were in style. Women were also wearing sailor hats and clogs, and the use of small, decorative sailor hats was common.
High-end fashion began to trickle down to the middle class. Designers like Ferragamo and Chanel made their first evening wedge shoes. This era of high-end couture saw the rise of surrealism in clothing. While the fad of the day swept the world, women followed suit by mimicking the style of their idols, such as Joan Crawford. During the 1930s, women mimicked their idol’s makeup and made sure they looked as gorgeous as possible.