What We WEAR!

History of FashionWhy we wear clothes!

Earliest Clothing

The earliest clothing dates from about 20,000 B.C. as evidenced by the discovery of sewing needles made of bone and ivory.

Why People Wear Clothes

Basic Physical Needs Protection and Safety

Psychological Needs Appearance Enhancement

Social Needs Affiliation and Standards

Reasons for Clothing

Fashion Through the Ages

People dressed according to what society allowed for the social classes.

Wealthy dictated fashion, often mimicking costumes worn by royalty.

During the 18th century, the influence of the upper class diminished with the American Revolutionary Way and the French Revolution. Resulting in the middle class.

The industrial revolution of the 1800’s fostered new inventions, including the sewing machine and photography.

Historical TrendsettersElizabeth I

Reigned as Queen Elizabeth from 1558 – 1603

Clothing during this period reflected the social status and was an indicator of wealth.

Stiff Look Tudor ruffs, jeweled wigs,

plucked forehead and browns, rib-crushing corsets, skirt hoops

Historical TrendsettersLouis XIV

King of France from 1643 – 1715

Sent life-sized fashion dolls to every European court, so that all of Europe would know about Paris fashion

Tailors copied the clothes, footwear, hats, and accessories on the dolls for nobility.

Historical Trendsetters Marie Antoinette

Queen of France from 1775 – 1793

Used papier-mâché paste to white and stiffen her hair to extreme heights.

High headdresses, plumes, and voluminous dresses

Historical TrendsettersGeorge Bryan ‘Beau’ Brummell

Early 1800’s Trendsetter for men to wear

understated but beautifully tailored clothing and elaborate neckwear.

Dandyism – style of dress for men and a lifestyle that celebrated elegance and refinement.

Straight poster, well-fitting clothes, and accessories such as a top hat, tailcoat, and white gloves.

Historical TrendsetterJacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Understated elegance to fashion of the early 1960’s as First Lady

Pillbox hat, suits with three-quarter sleeves.

Historical TrendsetterThe Beatles

Came to America in 1964 as the famous trendsetting British band.

Mop-top hairstyles

Fashion: 20th Century to the Present

Before the 1900’s

Women wore: Corsets to shape their bodies into an unnatural ‘S-

bend’ to create a more feminine silhouette Slim-fitting skirts Long sleeves High collars

The death of Queen Victoria in 1901 marked a fashion milestone and the beginning of economic, social, and technological changes.

The Early 1900’s Loose-fitting style of dress

became popular and the style continued to soften.

Corsets were disappearing Full skirts with a slightly

shorter length Functional for women

entering the work force when men left to fight in World War I

The 1920’s Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel (1883 –

1971) was one of the first designers to introduce sportswear garments for everyday year – as well as trousers for women.

Flappers -> young, free-spirited, and independent-minded

Shorter hemlines and hairstyles Little black dress Simpler styles mean that women

could get ready faster and more easily.

‘One-hour’ dress was created from the Women’s Fashion Institute.

The 1930’s – 1950’s Movie stars set the fashion trends Nylon was invented by DuPont Fabric shortages from World War II

resulted in shorter skirt hemlines Simple styles became

representative of patriotism After the war, styles moved toward

a more traditional feminine look. Christian Dior launched his new

fashion style in 1947 keyed New Look. Featured long hemlines, narrow

shoulders, and tightly fitted bodices with long, full, or narrow skirts.

1940’s – 1950’s

The 1960’s Social changes, the Vietnam

War, art, film, and music all influenced the fashion of the 1960’s youth movement.

Synthetic fibers sprang up The Hippie Style consisted

of clothing from the Middle and Far East and the use of bright colors, peasant embroidery, cheesecloth, and safari jackets.

The 1970’s

Disco Style Gold lame, leopard print,

stretch halter jumpsuits. Flared trousers, pastel-colored jackets, and platform shoes

The 1970’s

Punk Fashion Intentionally torn

clothing, frayed trousers, Doc Martens

Worn by people with limited incomes like students and the unemployed

The 1970’s

Feminist Movement An organized effort to

establish equal social, economic, and political rights and opportunities for women.

Influenced women’s styles such as shorter skirts and the pantsuit in the workplace.

The 1980’s Power Look

Uniform style of suits and blazers with shoulder pads

People no longer felt that high price determined high fashion. Quality products at moderate prices.

Fitness conscious people influenced synthetic fabrics that were easy to care for, durable, and stretchable.

The 1990’s

Americans began dressing down or less formally.

People enjoyed the comfort of sports clothes.

The 1990’s: Grunge

Started by the youth culture in the Pacific Northwest

Messy, uncombed, disheveled, as if not too much effort has been made.

The 1990’s

Oscar de le Renta was quoted, “Today, there is no fashion,

really. There are just…choices. Women dress today to reveal their

personalities. They used to reveal the designer’s

personality. Until the 70’s, women listened to

designers. Now women want to do it their own way.

There are no boundaries.

The 2000’s

Mash-Up Decade Trends saw the fusion of

previous styles Boho, vintage, 80’s

revivial

Assignment: Choose a decade of the 20th century.

1. Use the Internet to do research about the influence of historical events on fashion during that decade. What major events occurred during that decade and how did it affect

fashion trends?

2. Use the Internet to do research about the popular fashion designers during that decade.

3. Use the Internet to do research about popular fashion trend setters during that decade.

Using Microsoft Word, type a short summary of your research. Be sure to address all three points and then copy and paste images from the Internet that best represent your research.

Include all sources at the bottom of your page in the footer.