One Hundred Years of Fashion
r o u gh
By Shannon Perry s Th
d es
Tren Decad 0)
the – 201
0
(191
1910 -
•
•
1919
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: silks
• Colors: Pastels; vivid, bright, and bold
colors made by new dyeing techniques
• Designers: Paul Poiret
- The crisp shirts, high collars,
and bold stripes.
-Short, well-groomed hair.
-The lounge suit was also a
popular American style of the
1910s. Jackets were long and
double-breasted, and pants
were turned up at the cuffs.
1920’s
• 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
• Colors: Bold color combinations;
solid shades; geometric patterns 1923 – Flapper style becomes
popular when short skirts are
• Designers: Coco Chanel, Jean Patou necessary for dancing the Charleston
1926 – Coco Chanel creates the “little
black dress” which becomes one of
the most essential pieces in fashion
• - well-tailored pinstriped
suits
• - tuxedos, silk shirts and
handkerchiefs
• - fedora hats, suspenders,
bow ties and black patent
leather shoes.
1930’s • 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
• Designers: Elsa
Schiaparelli, Charles
James
• Men's suits in the 1930s
were tailored to create the
illusion of a large torso,
with wide, padded
shoulders and tapering
sleeves. Trouser pants were
still creased and cuffed at
the bottom. However, the
Great Depression put many
men out of work, and many
families fell on hard times.
• Trend: Fabric shortage caused
shorter hemlines; shirtdresses;
thick heels; mix and match styles;
1940’s
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: 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
• The 1940s were defined by
a clean and slim silhouette
with a somewhat military
feel. Jackets were short
and close-fitting, all
unadorned and with the
requisite sharp shoulder
pads.
1950’s • 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
• Designers: Valentino, Cristobal
Balenciaga
1954 – Chanel introduces her famous black
collarless suit jacket and skirt with gold chain
trim
1955 – Disneyland opens
1959 – Barbie is introduced
• Following the major fashion
trends of the 1950s, men's
overcoats were also textured
or had big patterns. These
bolder looking coats added
the missing personality from
the conservative grey flannel
suit look. They had high
military collars, straight
hanging lines, slash pockets,
and notched lapels
1960’s
1960s
• 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
• Designers: Mary Quant, Pierre
Cardin, Pucci
1964 – Beatles become popular in U.S.,
starting London style and Mod fashion
1969 –hippie fashion
• The conserative men's suit
took on some geometric
design along with the flare
in the pants leg and wider
lapels. Sport shirts were the
norm for causal wear with
the polo style being the
most popular. This suit
perfectly illustrates the
subtle changes in 1960s
men's fashion. Notice the
wider lapels and tie.
• Trend: Bell bottom pants;
platform shoes; wrap
dresses; gaucho pants;
1970’s
Annie Hall menswear look
• Silhouette: A-line skirts;
body- draping clothes;
above-the-knee to mid-calf
hemlines; softer shapes
• Designers: Ralph Lauren,
Gucci
• Popular styles included bell bottom pants,
frayed jeans, and ponchos.
1980’ • Trend: Preppie look; pop music styles;
retro fashion of the 1950s; cocktail dresses;
acid wash jeans, designer jeans; big hair;
s
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
• Designers: Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson,
Calvin Klein
1981 – Royal Wedding of Lady Diana and
Prince Charles
1982 – Michael Jackson releases Thriller
• 1980s clothing styles for
men included acid washed
jeans, jean jackets,
parachute pants, high top
shoes and T-shirts. Unless,
of course you were in the
preppie crowd. Then you
wore Izod shirts, probably
with the collar up, dress
pants and penny loafer
shoes
1990’s
• 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 1997 – Princess Diana dies
• In the ’90s, fashion moved away from the
excess of the ‘80s and toward a more relaxed,
rebellious and minimalistic mood. Sneaker
culture and early athleisure. Silhouettes were
loose and oversized, and casual dressing
dominated the era.
• Trend: Vintage and Retro
fashion; long lines from the
1930s, nautical look from
1930s and 1940s, shirtdresses
2000’s
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
• Designers: Alexander
McQueen, Vivienne Westwood,
Alexander Wang, Stella
McCartney, classic and vintage
• Men's late 2000s fashion
was a mix of 1950s and
1980s throwbacks, with
black leather jackets,
overcoats, slim cut jeans,
Ed Hardy t-shirts, flannel
shirts, and V-neck sweaters.
These were often paired
with dad hats, wayfarers or
aviators, motorcycle boots,
Converse or sneakers.
