FASHION THROUGHOUT THE DECADES

1890-1920 Haute Couture

Early 90s was marked by rise of haute couture in Paris. The Parisian designs were donned by the upper class women who set tone for rest of the world. The corsets and full skirts with hats were popular in this era. The fashion which was adopted found its way through magazines to the world about what was going on and what is being worn. But with the end of First World War, the attention was withdrawn from fashion.

1920-1929 Roaring 20s

With the war taking over, masculinity was mostly retained in clothing as women wore comfortable clothes with shapeless fits, loose clothes and flattened busts. The 20s are marked by “Flappers” which did not fully emerge until 1926. Flappers mostly wore short hair with short shift dress. This style was comfortably followed by the people as it was easy to make shift dresses at home.

1930-1940 Great Depression and World War I

In this era, movies became a media of catching up with the fashion trends. Another war was expected seemingly close and fashion was taken over by more of military style with square shoulders. Uniforms became public wear. There was large scale production of clothes and hence started ready-to-wear fashion.

1950s-The Postwar Era

The designers back then, after the war period was over introduced fitted jackets, slim skirts and full calf length dresses. This made sure that women dressed femininely which was well longed by them. Teenagers for the first time became a force in the fashion market because of a huge influence of movies on them. Fabric like acrylic and synthetic found its popularity as they required less maintenance and even affordable.

1960s-Flower Power

The youth ran this era and it was undoubtedly a colorful decade. British adopted the trend of black leather jackets and America’s answer was “hippie movement”. The youth in America wore bell bottom jeans and tie-dyed shirts. Men mostly were inspired by Beatles.

1970s-Saturday Night Fever

Fashion became global phenomena as now travel became easier which meant not only people travelled freely but with them, the fashion too took a tour. There was “disco dance” craze and clothes which shone under the disco lights were much preferred by people. Late seventies was taken over by the rise of ‘punk’.

1980s- Material Girls

This era can be well described as dominated by ‘Materialism’ as the western economy witnessed an economic boom. People became brand conscious and use of credit cards made shopping even easier and encouraged spending. Creation of MTV revolutionized the music industry and with it the fashion too. Musicians through their videos made style statements and hence influenced the fashion too.

1990s –Minimalism

Fashion became more laidback and comfortable. As contrasted to the 80s style defined with color pallets, 90s was more about the color black and neutral colors. Fashion industry bloomed the most in United States. Grunge, an alternative rock subculture spawned a style of skuffy dressing.

2000s-Back to the future

The 2000s made us realize that fashion trends are cyclical. The old trends which cycled back is given a futuristic touch and carried by people. The boot cut and flared jeans, for instance are a futuristic version of bell bottom jeans. The vintage clothing still finds its place in the market. The boho and hippie look also made a comeback thanks to the TV media and the influence.

Trends that changed the world for better

Change is inevitable. We have been hearing that nothing is constant but only change. Sometimes change can be for good. Let us have a look at the trends that changed the world.

• Bye, Bye Minis:-

Minis have paved way for maxis. As fashion evolved, skirts and dresses became longer. In 1990’s, skirts and dresses replaced casual outfits and hip hop culture. British Designer Mary Quant, a pioneer in Mini skirt, describes it as a way of rebelling. As fashion changed, minis changed to Maxi’s.

• Punk Fashion:-

The punk scene in 1970 included hairstyle, cosmetics, jewellery and clothing. Punk lovers were usually found flaunting unkempt and messy short hair, torn or tattered tees. This was their way of making a statement.

• Power Dressing:-

Dressing in 1970’s saw a new style also called as power dressing. This dressing saw women and men wearing business suits. It also suggested a way of authority when working in a male dominated profession. Though this trend no longer exists, but it is still popular in a fashionable way.

• Handbags:-

Gone are the days, when handbags used to be vanity bags with built in mirror. In 50’s and 60’s handbags became a fashion statement rather than need.70’s, 80’s and 90’s saw two types of handbags mainly for work and for outing. Today handbag is all about designers like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Prada among other designers.

• Haircuts:-

20’s and 30’s saw short hairstyles for women. Women in 1940’s wore their hair under the hat or tied it in a bun. Women also wore scarves and hats or turbans in 1960’s. Men wore bowl cuts like beetles. In 1970, there came an evolution in men’s hairstyles in the form of Mohawk, punk or colored hair. Today women like to keep long tresses with middle parting or wavy hairstyles. Men are seen experimenting with their hairs like spiky or conservative office look and long braided hair look.

• Bikinis:-

One thing that evolved for the better is the swim suit or bikinis. During World War II, fabrics were rationed and women in Europe used to wear bath suits that just showed enough skin at the waist. One piece bikini was transformed into two pieces and over the years there are designer swim suits for all sizes.

• Shoes:-

Fashion is incomplete without the right shoes. Shoes have undergone drastic changes since decades. From high and wide heeled shoe to lace up boots in 1920’s, shoes of all types jazzed up the fashion scene. In 1960, black slip on boots made with faux leather was quite a rage.

• Accessories:-

Accessories have always been a must have item in every women’s closet. Lace accents, feathers, cloches and turbans have been a popular accessory for women. Men used fedoras, golf caps automobile caps, panama hats as fashion statement. 

Fashion trends have made a style statement over years. Trends make you and style defines fashion. Trends will come and go but it is important to be comfortable in our own skin.

SPRING LOOKS FOR 2016

Spring season is almost here. From culottes to print on print, everything is classy this season. Read on to know more about the latest spring trends and how to carry them on you.

• Culottes

Culottes are the in thing of this season. They look fabulous in any fabric, be it denim, cotton, or even prints. Culottes can be paired with a crop top or a basic tee for that chic brunch look, or with a sequined top for a glam look. You can also pair your Kurtis or long tops with culottes to enhance the style quotient. Ankle length culottes can even make you look taller.

You can get them in different lengths, according to your preferences.

• The shirt dress

The shirt dress is a must have. It comes as a savior when you don’t know what to wear for those lunch dates or brunches. It gives you a minimal, yet aesthetic look. You can also pair it up with tights or stockings and boots.

• Buttoned down shirt

A buttoned down shirt is a spring staple. To take that style quotient up a notch, accessorize it with a bow. This style can be carried on plain, printed, plaid, striped or solid colored shirts. This look is elegant yet chic. Buttoned down shirts can be paired up with formal trousers or skirts for a formal, corporate look. For a chic casual look, pair it with shorts or flared pants or even with culottes.

• Sneakers

Sneakers are the IT thing. White sneakers are becoming a rage. They can be paired with a skater dress, skirt, maxis, trousers, shorts, denims, jumpsuits and maxi skirts. Sneakers give you that casual look and are super comfortable. You can even make a sequined glamorous outfit look chic when you wear it with a pair of sneakers. White sneakers are trending the most but even prints such as floral or stripes are in vogue.

• Plaid outfits

Plaid is also quite popular this season. Be it shirts, pants, trousers or dresses, plaid is seen everywhere. Plaid shirts are chic, casual yet classy. Pairing a plaid shirt with sneakers will give you that perfect everyday college look. Plaid trousers give you the trendy diva look.  You can also do a plaid on play look to look effortlessly fashionable.

• Graphic stripes

For the spring season 2016, graphic stripes are totally in. even for the majority of fashion shows, designers have played with scattered, chopped, straight, curled lines. These graphic lines enhance your silhouette and can even make you look slimmer.

• Flared denims

Yes you heard it right, flared denims are back this season. These not only make you look fashionable and trendy but also make you look tall and slim.