20th Century Fashion Trends - Timeline
We can view fashion as a two-pronged stiletto: it has molded us, and we have molded it. Men’s fashion has also changed over the century, but not nearly as much as women’s fashion. Throughout the century, fashion has been influenced by the times: war, politics, social movements, and more. Not only have women’s clothing changed over the decades but so too have hairstyles and fashion accessories (often accessories would be combined with hairstyles). While not all fashion trends of the 20th century were chic, they are all nostalgic time capsules today that many of us look back on with fond memories or look into the future with new resolutions.
The following timeline highlights the fashion trends of each decade in the 20th century.
Not only is the timeline a history lesson, but also a source of inspiration for your own fashion ideas – you can pick a decade to wear or mix and match decades, the choices are endless and boundless. Take a journey through the past century and learn the fashion trends that characterized a century of promise and progress for women, you’ll be proud of where we’ve come from and where we are going.The 1900’s
Fashion has changed a great deal since the 18th century, clothing and accessories looked quite different from what they do today. Typical fashion of the time included corsets, stiff collars, and Gibson Girl hairstyles – a hairstyle with a bun based on ink drawings of women done by an American named Charles Gibson beginning in the 1890’s.
Gibson's girl was meant to personify the ideal American beauty of that era, and her hairstyle is soft and very poofy with a bun on top and ringlets and tendrils hanging down.
A fashionable trend in the 1900’s was the S-bend corset, it set the standard of the time and women all over the nation wore this piece for many occasions. The corset thrust the hips backward and forced the chest forward, creating a pouter-pigeon shape. The trend was emphasized with puffed, frilly blouses embellished with elaborate decorations such as broad ribbon ties and lace collars. Women’s hair was often parted in the center and often looped around pads and false hair to create a ‘brim’ of hair around the hairline.
1910’s
During the early part of the century, fashion became more masculine and macho, yet was also characterized by rich and exotic touches of flare. Women wore short bob haircuts throughout this decade; they also wore shorter skirts and dresses – well shorter for the time as short meant just above the ankle. World War I heavily influenced much of the fashion of this time, designers created pieces that marked the generation and dressed women for the era.
The hobble skirt, for example, caught on quickly with the women of the time and remained the height of fashion until around 1915.
1920’s
The 1920’s is known as both the roaring 20’s and the Jazz Era. This decade ushered in the modern era of women’s fashion as it abandoned the more restricting fashions of the past decades in favor of more comfortable clothes. Skirts and trousers offered the comfort women were looking for.
Athletic clothing, boyish silhouettes, and glittering opulence also characterize this famous era. The trend moved forward both fashion statements and women’s independence. Women began wearing less constrictive clothing typical of the 1800’s and early 1900’s, opting instead for more loose and breathable fabrics such as silk. Accessories also made a grand entrance in this decade, from matching headbands to pearls and statement pieces; women were making an entrance into the forefront of social setting with fashion-forward garments and confidence.
1930’s
Every decade of advancement improved the quality of life for women and their ability for self-expression.
For example, the fashion trends in the 1930’s were heavily influenced by the progressive nature of the 1920’s and mirrored some of the trends, but pushed the envelope further. The clothing became more relaxed and comfortable, and for the first time, more daring as women not only wore less clothes but more revealing clothes. Much of this fashion progress came to a temporary halt during the end of the decade when the Great depression hit; this caused a retrograde in women’s fashion back to a decade before with more conservative articles of clothing highlighting traditional feminine features. In this one, longer hemlines returned to the scene and restrictive garments that showed a women’s body appeared.1940’s
Another decade marked and influenced by a world war set the scene for women’s fashion, and for clothing designers. World War II was in full swing, and so was the fashion industry, with new fabrics and designs yet losing other fabrics and designs. For example, common fabrics used during the 1920’s such as silk were no longer being used, instead, clothing was being made from cheaper materials that were more available at the time. The war caused shortages and world trade deficits that slowed clothing production but spurred innovation in the industry. Colors were heavily influenced by the war, women adorned military-inspired fashion colors and regalia such as navy and nautical colors.
The women enjoyed showing off the colors, and the men appreciated the support and patriotism that this fashion decade introduced. The war also produced more masculine clothing with yet shorter skirts and stiffer, wider shoulders.
1950’s
Mid-century, fashion took a drastic turn. The war had ended and a new decade with new confidence had begun. A women’s figure is celebrated in the clothing designs and accessories, with designers catering to new trends and new demands.The feminine shape took center stage with tight waists and high hemlines, a trend that set the tone for classic and timeless looks – then and now. With the new cuts, came new color, new 1950s designer bags, and patterns – designers experimented with multiple colors and different patterns to see what would work and what would sell. The new colors and patterns made clothing increasingly less conservative featuring vibrant floral and repeating patterns used to highlight a woman’s beauty and physic.
1960’s
The 1960’s saw advances in culture and human rights.
Music took fashion on a groovy trip, and the civil rights movement in the United States sparked further independence in women’s rights and fashion. This unique mix started a firestorm of fashion trends that broke many rules – many rules that needed to be broken. The 1960’s can be characterized as an era of social movements and fashion innovations that are still worn today. These fashion trends reflected the change in society and the structure of classes, dividing some and uniting others. Fashion expressed these cultural and societal changes through clothing such as A-line dresses that showed off women’s legs and gave them extra height.Vibrant colors with psychedelic prints, and chic vintage handbags characterized the underground scene, especially within the music industry. Topping off the unique fashion styles, women wore incredible hairstyles that defined the decade that made it into hit films.
1970’s
Rolling along the decades, the 1970’s further developed women’s fashion sense and fashion statements. The decade embodied individualism – clothing became a symbol of independence and freethinking, a trend that clothing has personified till today. Items such as flared jeans and platform shoes characterized clothing styles. This decade really helped women express their individuality, not only among men, but also among women.In the 1970’s, Vogue declared, “There are no rules in the fashion game now.” Referring to overproduction flooding the fashion market with inexpensive clothing made of synthetic materials. Typical items of this decade included mini skirts, bell-bottom pants that were popularized by hippies, vintage clothing made a debut, and glam rock and disco trends introduced fashion staples such as satin, glitter, and bright colors.
1980’s
This is the era of big hair and big shoulder pads. Not only did women’s fashion change, but also women’s roles in society with many entering the working force than ever before. Not only did women work more, but they also played more and fashion catered to this notion. Women wore clothing for practical purposes and for fashion statements, creating a decade of luxurious garments such as silks and furs. Clothing and accessories were characterized by vibrant colors and bouffant hair.
Fashion in the 80’s was characterized by unforgettable trends, some that are still worn today, but others that are not. The trends of this decade included tights, leotards, sweatpants, velour tracksuits, and the quintessential ripped jeans – which are still a fashion statement today. In addition, athletic accessories were also extremely popular, a trend boosted by the aerobics craze of the 80’s.
1990’s
The 1990’s took a turn away from the opulent and vibrant previous decades, in favor of more minimalist fashion trends. As with decades before, the 90’s were heavily influenced by music, particularly rock and grunge music. Much like the band members seen on MTV, women wore casual daywear such as jeans and t-shirts.The 90’s fashion scene remains among the most seen fashion trends today as new generations embrace the styles of the end of the century, a statement of both the end and beginning of a new century.