The Evolution Of Fashion

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When it comes to fashion, most of us agree that styles follow a cyclic trend. Even though fashion has tremendously evolved over the past 100 years, it has always preserved some features from the past.

One of the best examples of this cyclic evolution is the old-school fashion look of the 1950s coming back in force in the late 2000s, with only minor tweaks to add a modern touch to those outfits.

Fashion is tightly intertwined with our very identity. This applies to both women and men. We are what we wear. We use our outfits to express our values and our personality. What we wear is what makes us unique, hence the different fashion styles that coexist at any given time. As we are looking forward to the year to come, we can’t but notice a shift in fashion trends inspired by glossy magazines and online media.

In order for you to gain a better understanding of fashion as a concept, you need to take a closer look into fashion history over several decades. This article invites you to take this journey through time, in order to see how fashion has evolved over the years. If you are interested in shapewear briefs then see here.

The 1950s

The 1950s were a time of growth, as World War II came to an end and marked the beginning of a new era. Social norms were rather rigid and conservative. Nevertheless, there was still room for rebellion and for going against the flow. Fashion was one of the best ways to express this.

This period marked a fashion evolution for both women and men. Shoulder pads and fitted blouses with round collars were the latest fashion craze for women. Men wore ties and high-waist pants. Hand decorations with beads and paint added a unique touch to those outfits.

Hats

The 1950s were all about wearing hats. Audrey Hepburn was one of the trendsetters of those times, many women drawing their fashion inspiration from her outfits. They preferred to wear their hair short and hidden under a small hat. Men preferred felt hats. They made such hats an everyday fashion item. Early films depict lots of male characters wandering around wearing felt hats, matching ties and buttoned-up shirts tucked in high-waist pants.

Cigarette Cases

A pack of cigarettes and a fancy cigarette case were among the trendiest fashion accessories. As the health-adverse effects of smoking were not yet known, smoking cigarettes was one of the cool things to do. There’s no wonder everybody did it.

The 1960s

The 1960s marked an important milestone in American history. This was a time of counterculture, mainly expressed through outfits, sexuality and education among other things. This was a time for personal freedom, and therefore many rebelled from either a social or artistic standpoint.

There were several notable moments such as Kennedy’s assassination, the inauguration of Richard Nixon, and the birth of the hippie movement in San Francisco.

The Hippie Movement

This movement followed Woodstock and Beatlemania. It aimed to express opposition and freedom. The tie-dye was one of the main ways to showcase these values. People were tye-dyeing everything from headbands to shorts, blouses, and even shoes.

Despite this trend to encourage personal freedom and individual expression through fashion, women were still discouraged from choosing to wear trousers as part of their outfits. Since wearing jeans was considered inappropriate, women wore colorful, flowy dresses instead.