Fashion Through the Ages – A Look at Style by Decade

The 1920s reflected an era of post-war revolution in nearly ever facet of human life. Women--now voters--were joining the workforce in record numbers, post-war prosperity brought on a renewed sense of optimism and relaxed customs, and the technological advancement of new fabrics meant fashion was now entering a more modern phase.

Cotton and wool were the fabrics of the time, with silk in high demand--but at a cost, owing to its limited supply. There were now new methods of fastening clothing, which allowed new technique to translate into more modern silhouettes and detailed styles. The runways may have exhibited clean, simple looks, but the luxury could be found in the fabrics. Hemlines and haircuts were on the rise, as a more boyish silhouette was embraced by designers as the women’s rights movement steered away from traditional and restrictive fashions of the previous decade.

The great depression hit the 1930s and drastically affected the spirit of the times, casting a shadow on the flapper-style of the preceding decade. A more conservative period of fashion was on the rise, as the style-conscious of the time took their cues from Hollywood glamour, with the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and Greta Garbo setting the tone in sportswear-inspired clothing and androgynous dressing.

A great conflict in fashion took centre stage during the 1940s, as the war had the everyday man and women taking great pains to ration, while Hollywood’s elite seemed more demonstrative than ever in their glamorous fashions. The average woman took on a more utilitarian form of dress, with work-attire uniforms becoming more and more acceptable in everyday life.

The war was over, the U.S. had found itself victorious and power and prosperity once again settled over the Western world. Fashion became more playful, and there was a sense of renewed frivolity that had faded after the glitz and glamour of 1920s fashion had been faced with more practical times.

Credited with unveiling the “new look” of the times, the ultra-feminine silhouettes of Christian Dior marked the biggest trend of the times, with a newfound interest in teen style bubbling below the surface.

All eyes were on young people in the 1960s, as politics and rebellion hit high notes and had young people fighting to find their voice, and making waves with their eclectic fashions. From rocker and hippie styles to mod dressing, it was a time for change and breaking from tradition became the motto for a generation.

The mod look is perhaps the style most synonymous with this decade, with iconic model Twiggy most famously representing the trend. Influenced heavily by the art and music of the time, bold geometric shapes, bright colours and patent leathers were all the rage. In stark contrast to this style were those fashion icons who represented the “easy elegance” of the decade; a timeless nod to ladylike style epitomized by fashion influencer Jackie Kennedy.

The '60s left little room for grey areas, as the fashion--and politics--of the time had people feeling very much on either side of the fence.

The hippie influence bled into the 1970s, as the disco subculture was born. Global travel was easier than ever for the masses, and so fashion was feeling the international influence of a world seeing style beyond borders with fresh eyes. Natural afro-hairstyles and the effects of style under a global influence had people of the times experimenting with fashion and self-expression more than ever before.

Polyester became the fabric of a generation, spawning tight, stretchy second-skin styles that complemented the fluid fashions of the disco fever that marked the times.

Shoulder pads and MTV ruled the 1980s. Women in the work force were popularizing the idea of “power dressing” with films like Melanie Griffith’s 1988 Working Girl summarizing the fashion of the decade and the modern-woman’s desire to break free from traditional gender roles and make her mark in the business world. MTV brought forth the video star, and with it Madonna captured the hearts-- and closets--of a generation.

Mainstream fashion took a backseat to the counter-culture trends of the decade as punk, grunge and hip-hop styles continued to surge among youth. Oversized, casual and minimalistic clothing was favoured to the fitted and feminine looks of the past, as a generation of women looked to television and surging technology for new icons and sources of inspiration that spoke to their generation.

In a decade that can best be described as “anything goes”-- fashion felt more like a mish-mash of vintage styles than anything else. Clashing old and new trends became the norm, as the often confusing and unpredictable style of the times reflected a society suffering from uncertainty and world crisis--having seen the effects of disasters like 9/11 and being forced to face the daunting reality of a fast-changing world.

Fashion today is harder to define than ever, with a sense of individuality and self-expression fuelling fashion and competing with set trends unveiled on the runways. Women are looking to embrace their femininity while also incorporating traditionally masculine-styles into their wardrobes. Fashion seems to be in a state of constant growth and exploration, while nods to past decades continuously find themselves embedded in every season’s “trend report.”