Gabrielle A Rusignuolo @Fabric shortage caused shorter hemlines; shirtdresses; thick heels; mix and match styles; 1940’s military-look • Silhouette: A-line skirts

1. By Shannon Perry
One Hundred Years of Women’s
Fashion
Trends Through
the Decades
(1910 – 2010)

2. Historical events
of the time
• Trend: Feminine; hemlines were floor-
length to above the ankle
• Silhouette: Softer, fluid lines; straighter
skirts, easy movement; corsets were
no longer in fashion
• Fabrics: Gossamer, silk
• Colors: Pastels; vivid, bright, and bold
colors made by new dyeing techniques
• Designers: Paul Poiret, Jeanne Paquin1910 – Ballets Russes perform in Paris,
inspiring Asian-influenced harem pants,
kimonos, and turbans (black and white
photo)
1912 – Sinking of the Titanic (typical
fashion worn by women at that time is
shown above right)
1914-1918 – World War I; skirts rise to
mid-calf, colors get darker and
monochromatic, and clothes become
practical for women to work in (bottom
left picture)
1916 – First issue of Vogue
1910 - 1919

3. • Trend: Sporty, athletic; short, bob
hairstyle; sleeveless dresses; knee-
length hemlines; high heels; cloche
hats; costume jewelry
• Silhouette: Straight lines; waist is
lowered to hip on dresses; no
defined waistline; diagonal hems
• Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey,
tweeds, fringe, beading
• Colors: Bold color combinations;
solid shades; geometric patterns
• Designers: Coco Chanel, Jean Patou
1920 – Women are granted the right
to vote, leading to more
independence
1923 – Flapper style becomes
popular when short skirts are
necessary for dancing the Charleston
1926 – Coco Chanel creates the “little
black dress” which becomes one of
the most essential pieces in fashion
1929 – Stock market crashes, leading
to the Great Depression
1920’s
Historical events
of the time

4. • Trend: Feminine;
menswear-inspired; mid-
calf hemlines; sportswear;
pant suits; backless gowns;
wedge heels
• Silhouette: Clean lines;
cinched in waist; narrow
hips; broad shoulders;
triangular shape
• Fabrics: Bias-cut; silk,
gabardine, chiffon; pleats
and draping
• Colors: Muted colors and
refined, elegant shades
• Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli,
Charles James
1930 – the Great Depression begins a
time of hardship, bad economy, and
unemployment
1931 – Empire State Building is
completed, showcasing the trend of
Art Deco design
1937 – Amelia Earhart vanishes
(masculine style clothes are inspired
by her)
1939 – World War II begins
1930’s
Historical events
of the time

5. • Trend: Fabric shortage caused
shorter hemlines; shirtdresses;
thick heels; mix and match styles;
military-look
• Silhouette: A-line skirts; straight
skirts; feminine shapes; square
shoulders
• Fabrics: Gingham, denim, mix and
match patterns; using older
clothes to make new clothes
• Colors: Patriotic colors, navy,
gray, and brown
• Designers: Claire McCardell,
Christian Dior
1940 – 1945 – Women work outside the home while men are
fighting war; practical clothes are in style
1942 – T-shirt is introduced
1945 – World War II ends; women go back to being
homemakers; housework-inspired clothes are in style
1946 – Bikinis are introduced
1940’s
Historical events of the time

6. • Trend: Retro fashion of the early
1900s; feminine; cocktail dresses;
bolero jackets; pencil skirts;
petticoat skirts; Capri pants;
ballerina flats; stiletto heels;
gloves
• Silhouette: Hour glass shape;
cinched in waist, flared skirt, soft
shoulders
• Fabrics: Taffeta, wools, gazar silk
• Colors: Pastels, grays, muted
shades and jewel tones
• Designers: Valentino, Cristobal
Balenciaga
1951 – Color TV is introduced
1954 – Chanel introduces her famous black
collarless suit jacket and skirt with gold chain
trim
1955 – Disneyland opens
1959 – Barbie is introduced
1950’s
Historical events
of the time

7. • Trend: Early 60s – a-lines and
pencil skirts, Jackie Kennedy
style; Mid 60s – Mod, miniskirts;
Late 60s – hippie, relaxed clothes
• Silhouette: Straight line, waistless
shift; trapeze dress; bell sleeves
• Fabrics: Geometric patterns,
cotton, jersey, wool, crochet
• Colors: Pales, black, white, bright,
bold, tie-dye, neon
• Designers: Mary Quant, Pierre
Cardin, Laura Ashley, Pucci
1963 – John F. Kennedy is assassinated
ending Camelot era and Jackie Kennedy
fashion
1964 – Beatles become popular in U.S.,
starting London style and Mod fashion
1969 – First man on moon; Woodstock
sparks hippie fashion
1960s1960’s
Historical events
of the time

8. • Trend: Bell bottom pants; platform
shoes; wrap dresses; gaucho pants;
Annie Hall menswear look
• Silhouette: A-line skirts; body-
draping clothes; above-the-knee to
mid-calf hemlines; softer shapes
• Fabrics: Plaids, polyester, rayon,
jersey, tweed, wool
• Colors: Patriotic colors (honoring
bicentennial); pastels; bright,
shimmery satins; muted tweeds for
work
• Designers: Ralph Lauren, Halston,
Gucci, Diane Von Furstenberg
1970 – Beatles break up
1973 – DVF creates first wrap dress
1975 – Microsoft founded
1977 – Star Wars premieres
1970’s
Historical events
of the time

9. • Trend: Preppie look; pop music styles; retro
fashion of the 1950s; cocktail dresses; acid
wash jeans, designer jeans; big hair; balloon
skirts; crop tops; exercise wear (bicycle shorts,
legwarmers); ballerina flats; leggings; tunics;
big sweaters; pumps
• Silhouette: Bulky top with skinny bottom;
shoulder pads; tight jeans; shorter hemlines;
feminine 1950s hour glass shape
• Fabrics: Taffeta, tulle, lycra, rayon, denim,
sequins, knits
• Colors: Neons, brights, jewel tones, bold, black
• Designers: Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, Perry
Ellis, Calvin Klein
1981 – Royal Wedding of Lady Diana and
Prince Charles
1982 – Michael Jackson releases Thriller
1986 – Chernobyl nuclear accident
1987 – Stock Market crashes
1989 – Berlin wall comes down
1980’s
Historical events
of the time

10. • Trend: crop tops; baggy jeans;
tapered leg jeans; floral dresses;
boyfriend blazers; palazzo pants;
grunge style; lumberjack shirts;
overalls; platform tennis shoes
• Silhouette: Baggy top with small
bottom or small top with baggy
bottom; long, slender shapes;
flowing lines
• Fabrics: Cotton, denim, knits,
flannel, spandex
• Colors: dark, muted; floral patterns;
plaid; color block; monochromatic;
black
• Designers: Giani Versace, Marc
Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Ford
1991 – Collapse of the Soviet
Union
1992 – Official end of the Cold
War
1993 – Internet is widely used
1994 – Kurt Cobain dies, ending
Grunge era
1997 – Princess Diana dies
1990’s
Historical events
of the time

11. • Trend: Vintage and Retro fashion;
long lines from the 1930s, nautical
look from 1930s and 1940s,
shirtdresses from 1940s and
1970s, bohemian skirts and tops
from 1970s; skinny jeans and
tunics from 1980s
• Silhouette: long, lean; straight
skirts; short skirts; tapered legs on
pants; feminine and masculine
shapes
• Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey, khaki,
linen, rayon; vintage clothes
• Colors: All colors from muted and
pale to bold and neon
• Designers: Alexander McQueen,
Vivienne Westwood, Alexander
Wang, Stella McCartney, classic
and vintage
2001 – Attacks on World Trade Center
2003 – War in Iraq begins
2005 – Hurricane Katrina
2008 – Obama is elected first African American
President
2010 – Alexander McQueen dies
2000’s
Historical events
of the time