fashion+editorial

Fashion editorial "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity"

Fashion wasn't always just about appearance, there was a deeper significance for women contributing to the feminist movement. For centuries, women everywhere have been infatuated with clothes and fashion. Fashion is more than just pieces of clothing put together; it has a unique and symbolic history. It is an art form, a way of expression. Fashion gives women and men a way to express themselves. Although people may think that fashion is of little importance, it is in fact a major reflection of American history and the evolution of women in society. The 1900's to present day were filled with changing politics and beliefs, and many fashion trends clearly reflect these sweeping changes. "During the 1920's, clothing styles officially entered the modern era of fashion design. During this decade, women began to liberate themselves from constricting clothes for the first time and openly embrace more comfortable styles like pants and short skirts" (History of 20th). Although this might not seem like a significant step, it was one step closer to the freedom of women. As America entered World War II in the 1940's, fashion responded to the restrained mood and economy of the war. Drabness and uniformity in clothing were embraced, and people were encouraged to make do with and mend the clothing they already had. The reality of the war became impossible to ignore. During the war, all types of cloth were needed for a variety of wartime purposes, and material for clothing was severely rationed. "Women were issued a limited number of ration coupons to use for clothing purchases each year, and this number declined steadily as the war progressed. Due to the limited number of materials, fashions of the era emphasized shorter skirts than ever before and short, blocky jackets" (History of 20th). With the start of the 1950's, the nation and world was ready to leave the horrors and hardship of World War II behind, and this mindset was represented in the world of fashion: "The 1950's marked the start of what many consider to be modern day fashion" (History of 20th). Fads surfaced, a teen consumer group emerged, and Hollywood celebrities were fashion icons. The 50's rolled into the 60's with a new emphasis on teen culture and influence. "The 1960's and 1970's witnessed a youth explosion that completely revolutionized the fashion system" (History of 20th). During this time, youth throughout the Western world began to rebel against traditional clothing styles and create their own trends. During the 1960's and 1970's, a huge variety of clothing became popular, including bell bottoms, short miniskirts, hot pants, and blue jeans. It was no longer shocking for women to wear pants on a daily basis, and many of the styles of the era were somewhat genderless. The 60's also emphasized the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and metal or plastic clothing became increasingly popular. "The freedom of choice inspired by the two decades would live on" (History of 20th) in the years to come. During the 1980's, clothing was a sign of power, and the top designers reigned supreme with their fashionable apparel. Designer styles gained popularity as Americans became more obsessed with power and money. Women wore expensive business suits and dresses during the day and extravagant designer gowns in the evening. The belief in the 1980's was that one could become as successful as one believed he/she could. Therefore, many people during this time "dressed for success" and aspired to move up the corporate ladder (History of 20th). However, in the 1990's, women began to reject the moneyed, designer styles of the 1980's and chose more comfortable, casual clothing. The rock and roll movement from the 80's inspired flannel shirts and ripped jeans, while the rising hip-hop movement brought baggy pants into fashion. Even standards for work relaxed somewhat, and casual dresses and pants became popular workplace attire. Whatever the choice of clothing, comfort remained the key factor for most women in the 1990's and 2000's.  Today, while expensive designer clothing is still sought after by some women, casual, comfortable clothing styles at reasonable prices are the popular choice. As you can see, fashion is more than an emphasis on appearance. Changes in women's clothing reflected the time periods they were from and the changing world around them. So the next time you look at a piece of clothing in a store window or boutique, don't simply think about how you will look in it, but try to think about how that piece of clothing reflects who you are and the time period you live in.

"History of 20th Century Women’s Fashion | Random History." //Random History and Word//

// Origins for the Curious Mind //. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. .