History in Fashion: 1900s-1950s

Fashion has a long history. Fashion, which began long ago, changed over time as countries developed new designs.  Fashion had an important role throughout history. If you hear the word “fashion”, do you just think about clothes? Fashion is a form of art, a reflection of culture, and a dynamic expression of identities. From the beginning of human history, fashion was an important means of distinguishing people. 

Despite many drastic changes in fashion history, fashion continues to empower us to express ourselves authentically. Fashion encourages us to embrace our individuality and enables us to inspire others. In this article, I will discuss the fashion trends in America over the years. 

Fashion in the 1900s.

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Fashion trends during the 1900s, overlapping with Great Britain’s Victorian era, emphasized modesty and formal clothing. Great Britain influenced American fashion culture through its well-known tailoring tradition, from the classic British suit to the mod and punk movements that inspired American youth culture. British styles, from preppy looks to avant-garde high fashion, have continually pushed American fashion toward innovation and boldness. So, women in America wore blouses, corsets, and skirts. This trend was heavily influenced by social, practical, and cultural factors which included Victorian ideals. Moreover, the increased involvement of women working in public caused the shift toward more comfortable and functional clothing. In the 1900s, many women sought after fashion combined with elegance by wearing blouses and skirts. These blouses were designed to be loose-fitting with lightweight fabric. The material used for blouses included cotton and linen, which could be worn comfortably. Moreover, the use of corsets became very limited, as women only wore corsets on special occasions. Likewise, skirts gave women more freedom compared to dresses from the earlier era. Since they chose to wear skirts instead of dresses, women could make a set-up of different shirts and skirts. When they wore these types of clothing, they usually had an umbrella with them.

 

 

Unlike women, who began to wear more informal clothes, men had more formal clothing. They often wore three-piece suits consisting of a sack coat, a matching waistcoat, and trousers. These clothes made the men look tall and lean. They also had long black hats on top of their heads. Overall, their fashion tended to be monochrome, because they wanted simple clothing with a formal theme. Men often wore gloves and neckties with them as well. 

Fashion in 1910s

Women's clothing in the 1910s saw many changes from the 1900s, as all-in-one dresses became popularized. The 1910s fashion opened with a soft silhouette, which was dominated by dresses with an “S-shape, " also known as the “S-curve.”  While warm colors were predominantly used in these dresses, gold was the most popular. 

Tight corsets emphasized an exaggerated waist and a pronounced curve. Also, high-necked blouses and dresses with laces and ruffles were popular. The length of the dresses was floor-length. They were flared and slightly hemmed. Women wore accessories such as hats as well.

Fashion in 1920s

The 1920s was called the “Roaring Twenties.” It was a time when there was a change in culture and society. This was the era when fashion became more urbanized, as women gained more independence and jazz culture took hold. 

For women, the flapper-style dress was iconic, which is a dress that was short, loose, and often decorated with beads or fringe. Dresses were designed with a dropped waist, which means sitting lower on the hips rather than at the natural waist. For women’s hairstyle, they tend to cut their hair short in a bob, which was a symbol of their newfound freedom. They matched their bob haircut with tight-fitting hats. They coordinated their fashion with accessories such as long strands of pearls, headbands with feathers or jewels, and long gloves, which gave women a polished, glamorous appearance.

Men wore well-tailored suits, often with a wide lapel, straight-leg trousers, and a vest. Men’s clothes were generally more relaxed. In this era, “Oxford Bags” were getting popular; they were baggy, pleated trousers that became popular among college students. Spats and bowties were popular accessories, and they were a signature of the "dapper" gentleman. 

Fashion in the 1930s

American fashion in the 1930s was heavily influenced by the Great Depression, which changed people's ideas about luxury and style. The loose, boyish flapper style of the 1920s was replaced by a more feminine, curvaceous look in the 1930s. The dresses had a slim and thin neckline style, and they were styled as a V-neck. A key innovation of 1930s fashion was the use of the bias cut, which was influenced by designer Madeleine Vionnet. The dresses were sleek, glamorous, and more form-fitting than the boxy styles of the previous decade. The peplum, a short, flared piece of fabric attached at the waist of a jacket or dress, was a popular trend in the early 1930s. It accentuated the waistline and created an hourglass shape. Compared to the past years accessories have become more unnecessary to women. 

For men, double-breasted suits, which had wide lapels and a sharp, strong silhouette, became trendy. The overall look was polished and sharp, often conveying an air of sophistication. Their trousers got a little wider and puffed on the shoulders. Sports such as tennis, golf, and polo became popular in this decade. Consequently, sporty, preppy clothing styles emerged among the American men. 

Fashion in the 1940s

 World War II, which began in 1939, ended in 1945. Due to the Second World War, many resources were diverted to support the war effort, which led to fabric rationing and a need for more practical, resourceful clothing. Eventually, styles became more simplified and functional. Dresses got shorter due to a lack of resources. Hairstyles were influenced by patriotism. For example, victory rolls, which are a hairstyle with curls rolled back and pinned, were popularized. Also, a lot of women had to work in factories, making many women wear pants. 

Like women, men’s fashion during the early part of the 1940s was influenced by the war. Since a lot of men had to go to war, they wore military-style clothing, bomber jackets, trench coats, military-issue trousers, and shirts with epaulets. 

Fashion in the 1950s

1950s fashion is often seen as a period of dramatic change, marked by a return to elegance and femininity after the austerity of the 1940s. A style called Christian Dior’s "New Look"  was created in 1947, the trend made a comeback and women tended to wear full skirts, soft, rounded shoulders, and gentle curves. For men, the “Ivy League" look was popularized. They wore tailored suits and cotton trousers and were known for being neat and traditional. As the name “Ivy League” suggests, this style was heavily influenced by the fashion of university students. As a part of the “Ivy League” look, the university students’ leather jackets, also known as “varsity jackets,” became trendy. Varsity jackets and denim jeans were created by James Dean and Marlon Brando, who were two of the most famous actors in Hollywood at the time. 

Conclusion

Fashion in America from the 1900s to the 1950s changed through social shifts, economic factors, and global events. Over the past few decades, American fashion has reflected the country's transformation from the constraints of previous decades to the freer and more diverse expressions of the mid-20th century. 

Nowadays, fashion trends are changing every year and every season. Although every person has their way of fashion, there are different fashion trends each year, which signify different meanings. These meanings behind fashion make fashion interesting and fun.