Fashion Through the Decades
From sparkling flapper gowns to swinging floral skirts from the 60s, through the decades fashion is rapidly changing with the times and adjusts based on the fashion icons of the time.
Here is a round-up of the most impactful fashion trends from the 1920s to 2010s.
1920s ~ The 1920s was a time lapsing into the modern era and from speakeasies to the introduction of red rouge( lipstick) into the prominent market, this time was a height for new fashion ideals.
Trends:
- Drop waist dresses
- Silk Shawls
- Feather Fans
- Flapper dresses
- Glittering headbands
- Art Deco designs
- Short sleek bob haircuts
- Garconne Style
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Joan Crawford ( Hollywood Starlet)
- Colleen Moore ( Film Actress and upriser of the Bob hairstyle)
- Clara Bow ( Silent Film Actress)
- Coco Chanel ( Fashion Icon)
- Zelda Fitzgerald ( First American Flapper)
1930s ~ The 30s were at time of Hollywood Glam and crepe de chine gowns that swept the nation. From the era of the Great Depression to the Hollywood Glam buzz, this was a revolutionary time.
Trends:
- Pochette clutch bags
- Oxford Shoes
- Cinched Waist Bodice
- Oversized Collars
- “Town Tailored” day dresses
- Makeup cosmetics( despite the depression in America)
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Bette Davis ( Feminist Icon and Film Star)
- Wallis Simpson ( Media and Fashion Icon)
- Vivien Leigh (“Gone With The Wind” Starlet)
- Katharine Hepburn ( Lifetime Awardee and Menswear Trend leader)
- Joan Crawford ( Trend Setter)
- Daisy Fellowes ( Heiress and Fashion Editor)
1940s ~ During World War II, fashion altered dramatically due to limited and increasingly decreasing supplies of clothing. This era was full of rationing for the war, yet glam in Hollywood was still at a peak in fashion.
Trends:
- Sweetheart keyhole dresses
- A-line suit skirts
- Cardigan sweater
- Bolero jacket
- Denim work overalls ( think Rosie the Riveter)
- High waisted button trousers
- Bobby socks with saddle shoes
- The Bikini was invented ( 1946)
- Oxford Shoes
- Neckerchief
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Ingrid Bergman ( Casablanca starlet )
- Christian Dior’s Fashion line
- Ava Gardner ( chic Hollywood star)
- Doris Day ( “Romance On The High Seas”icon )
- Grace Kelly ( Then model and later the Princess of Monaco)
1950s ~ Poodle skirts, swing dresses, and Taffeta cocktail gowns were staples in the 50s. These looks emulated Hollywood luxury and sock hop style.
Trends:
- Pearl necklaces
- Poodle skirts
- Boat neck dress
- Waist cinch belt
- Petticoat
- Dark red lipstick
- Crew Neck Cardigan
Style Icons Of The Time:
- James Dean ( “Rebel Without a Cause” actor)
- Elizabeth Taylor ( Hollywood Glam actress )
- Christian Dior ( French Fashion designer)
- Grace Kelly ( Actress and Princess of Monaco)
- Elvis Presley ( Pop star and actor)
- Chanel (Fashion line)
- Sophia Loren ( Italian Film actress)
- Audrey Hepburn (Award-winning actress in “Sabrina” and “ Funny Face” and a human rights activist )
- Givenchy (Fashion designer)
1960s~ The flower power movement, passive ideologies, nonviolent resistances, and down to earth hippies, the 60s were a time of peace and flower print.
Trends:
- Go-go boots ( created by French designer Andre Courreges in 1965)
- Bell-bottoms ( Popularized by Sonny and Cher)
- Miniskirts ( part of the Women’s Liberation Movement)
- Tie-dye tees ( Hippie vibes)
- Turtlenecks ( made popular by Steve McQueen among others )
- “Town Tailored” day dresses
- Makeup cosmetics( despite the depression in America)
- Afros ( Popular with man and women)
- Mood rings
- Hair ironing ( new fad which died out completely by the 80s)
- Granny Glasses ( made popular in the 60s by John Lennon among other musicians)
- Mod Color blocked dresses
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Audrey Hepburn ( for a second decade because she is an actual LEGEND)
- Twiggy ( model and British Cultural icon)
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis ( First lady and style influencer)
- Mia Farrow ( “ The Rosemary’s Baby Star” and Frank Sinatra’s former wife”
- Marianne Faithful and Mick Jagger ( Rock and Roll idols)
- Cher ( Influencer with flared trousers and hippie style)
- Yoko Ono ( John Lennon’s wife and mod style trendsetter)
1970s~ Hippies, tie-dye, and bell bottoms. What more is there to say.
Trends:
- Ponchos
- Halternecks clothes
- Super bright colors ( early 70s)
- Platform boots
- Tracksuits
- Roller skates
- Suede
- Culottes
- Turtleneck sweaters
- Flowing floral skirts
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Bianca Jagger ( Socialite and up and coming model)
- Cher ( For the second decade as the latter half of “ Sonny and Cher”
- David Bowie ( And his 70s pop alter ego)
- John Travolta (“ Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease” cinematic icon)
- Elton John( trendsetter with his Sephia shades)
- ABBA ( Jivvy tunes and flared white jumpsuits)
- Farrah Fawcett ( TV icon in “ Charlie’s Angels”
- Meryl Streep ( Award-winning actress)
1980s- Pink neon bangles, crazed, fluffy hairstyles, and blue electric eyeshadow were daily dos in the 80s.
Trends:
- Shoulder pads ( Yikes, what a trend)
- Leg warmers
- Huge bangle earrings
- Fingerless gloves
- Oversized tops
- Fanny Packs
- Reeboks
- Scrunchies
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Madonna ( Leather tutu pop star)
- Princess Diana( Let’s remember that super 80s royal wedding)
- Michael Jackson ( “Thriller” and “ Beat It” dancer and singer legend)
- Jane Fonda ( Exercise video phenomena)
- Bananaram ( Disco punk dream starlets)
1990s~ “Friends” , velvet chokers, distressed denim, and lace sheer dresses were part of the 90s lifestyle that brought the oncoming century to a cusp.
- Overalls
- Butterfly clips
- Chokers ( Revolutionized the edgy rocker look)
- Jelly Sandals
- Brown lipstick pencils( Popularized by Drew Barrymore and Brandy among others)
- Windbreakers
- Crop Tops ( Think “Destiny’s Child”, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera)
- Denim on Denim ( The iconic look by Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears)
- Mom jeans
- Dr.Martens
- Grunge look
- Plaid shirts and basically everything plaid
Style Icons Of The Time:
- Jennifer Aniston ( The famous “ Friends” haircut that fans adored)
- Winona Ryder ( Part of the “ Retro Resurgence” movement and famed “ Heathers” actress )
- Gwen Stefani ( Her legendary “ No Doubt Days” )
- Jennifer Lopez ( Dancer and singer AND actress)
- Lark Voorhies ( As Lisa Turtle in “ Saved By the Bell” )
Early 2000s~ On the edge of a new era, the 2000s were a time of pop music, rap, the Obama election, the selfie’s birth, and the new millennium that brought the revolution of the Apple iphone and many other inventions that raised the bar of new technology.
Trends:
- Low-rise designer jeans
- Juicy Couture tracksuits
- Rhinestones ( Basically on everything…)
- Halter tops
- Tattoo choker necklaces
- Jeans with bedazzled pockets
- Frosted lip gloss
- Polo shirts
- Peasant top
- The ipod
- The first iphone
- Uggs
Style Icons Of The Time:
- The Backstreet Boys
- NSYNC
- Shakira
- Paris Hilton
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Lady Gaga
- Rihanna
- Britney Spears
- Mandy Moore
- Jennifer Lopez
2010s~ A era of uprising hipster fashion, sportswear, grunge, and skater fashion. In a time of social media and high technological advances, the world of fashion and beauty has been revolutionized by social media stars and bloggers. Instagram and Snapchat have forever altered this glued to the screen generation.
Trends:
- Skinny jeans ( high rise cut)
- Khaki trench coats
- Floral print and Embroidery
- Power suits
- Boyfriend jeans
- Velvet choker
- Pixie haircuts
- Cut outs
- “ Instagram” heavy makeup looks
- Pattern on pattern
- Brands such as “Adidas” and “Nike”
Style Icons Of The Time:
- The Kardashians
- Beauty and Insta Lifestyle bloggers
- Taylor Swift
- Kayne
- Beyoncé
- Drake
- Along with actresses with poise and beauty such as Keira Knightley or Charlize Theron
