Fashion from 1900-1940 in America

  • Gibson Girl

    Gibson Girl
    The Gibson Girl Look became very popular in fashion in the year 1900. This look was known for the big hair, big hats, small waist, and a large bust. This look became famous because of Charles Dana Gibson. The look had influences from the Edwardian era in England.
  • The Birth of the Bra

    The Birth of the Bra
    Mary Phelps Jacob introduces the first contemporary bra. It was patented as the "Backless Brassiere" and was constructed from two handkerchiefs and a pink ribbon.
  • Period: to

    The Flapper Era

    This era of the 1920s was a more bold sense of fashion compared to the past. Short dresses with drop waists and free-flowing, flowing skirts were popular among flappers or dancers. Also fashionable at the time was the bob cut. Flappers also enjoyed wearing bonnet hats, feather boas, and long strands of pearls as accessories. Overall, the flapper look was a rejection of the constricting or conservative dress trends of the past and a reflection of the era's shifting societal views.
  • The Great Depression

    In 1929 the stock market crashed, which put many people into debt. Many people in the fashion industry could not afford luxury clothes or any new clothes. The stock market crash in 1929 led to the great depression
  • The New Deal

    President FDR made a New Deal program that helped the United States make a comeback after the Great Depression. This revived the fashion industry and boosted the economy.
  • Nylon Stockings

    Nylon Stockings
    In 1937 Nylon Stockings were introduced by DuPont. They became widely popular in America. Silk Stockings were a lot more expensive and after Nylon stockings were introduced and affordable, silk became a thing of the past.
  • The War Effort

    The War Effort
    As resources become limited and the roles of women in society change as a result of the start of World War II, fashion evolves. Women begin wearing trousers more often as practical apparel with simpler styles and fewer embellishments are produced.
  • Overarching Lesson

    Overarching Lesson
    Fashion is not merely a surface-level feature of society; it is also influenced by economic, social, and historical considerations. Important historical occurrences like the Great Depression and World War II, as well as technological developments like the invention of nylon stockings, had an impact on changes in fashion during this time.