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Period: to
20th century
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The Flaming '20s
The 1920s are the era of women claiming their freedom, where "boyish" outfits reigned supreme. This decade was dedicated to defying gender barriers. The waistline was at the hip and the hem at the knee. Chanel was a major-influence designer, who brought forth styles that focused on simplicity and comfort, as well as class. -
The Depressed '30s
The 1930s were an era of great innovations in technology and therefore, fashion. Slim and clinging, designs emphasized femininity more than the 1920s. With the invention of the bias cut, the hallmark of the '30s, new patterns and styles were easier and easier to create. Since materials were scarce during the Great Depression, so rayon replaced silk and zippers replaced buttons and snaps. -
WWII - The '40s
The clothing of this decade showed lots of masculinity, even for the daintiest of women. Practicality and common sense were the themes of this era, and it's no question why. Since WWII was raging through the entire decade, things were scarce. This meant adapting to more "manly" styles. Pants became much more universal then in the '30s. Functionality was key in this decade, so hems of evening dresses rose to cocktail dress length, and besides exaggerated shoulders, the silhouette was natural. -
Space Age - '50s
The end of the war ushered in the space age, which brought everything from slightly to extremely exaggerated. Although the 1950s were most well known for their poodle skirts and bobby socks, this was only a trend among teenagers. The trend among adults was puffed, coiffed hair and exceedingly pointy shoes with needle-thin heels. . This was also the beginning of the trend among big-name fashion designers to create outfits that were unflattering to the wearer. This is how the "sack dress" appeared
