Greetings Fashionistas!
As fashion lovers, you all probably have a favorite decade
for those gorgeous silhouettes. These silhouettes define what kind of women
dominated that time. They reflect each inch of power, grace, and aesthetic
every Aphrodite beheld, and made it a permanent mark in the course of this
universe’s history. Though simple as others may look at it, the
silhouettes through the years relates the story of us, women.
I am laying it down on you today: a brief history and
celebration of us, being empowered by the cuts and grace of every contour.
1920s
This decade, we have glorified the new found freedom women
gained. The Feminine Liberation movement decided that women’s roles should be
changed. Gone are the days that we are to stay home and cook! We now have the
right to utilize our strength and make a living for ourselves! With this, the
dresses now evolved and took form in shorter skirts with pleats, slits, or
gathers to allow more transitions in movement.
Women broke free from corsets! The hourglass shape is no
more and most silhouettes are linear in form. At this point in history, the
women are allowed to vote and express what they want to. Legs are now flaunted
with pride with hemlines rising to the knee. Roles are now shared between
genders, as well, that a more masculine look became popular with the
appreciation of flattened breasts and short hairstyles.
1930s
Women’s enlightenment was at its peak until the late 1920’s
to early 1930s. However, the Great Depression started taking toll and affected
everyone’s view in life. A conservative bump pushed us back to longer skirts,
and higher waistlines. A campaign for a more “womanly” look prevailed.
Madelaine Vionnet invented the bias-cut and used the method to mold and
accentuate the body’s contours as it draped the female form. This was the
essence of the 1930s. Although the short hair lasted little until the end of
1930s, feminine curves became of most importance.
1940s
The grim severity of the war caused the limited access of
people to new and quality clothing, including fabrics in making one. The War
Production Board issued its Regulation L85 restricting elements in women’s clothing.
It was so grave at the time that magazines and pattern companies advised girls
on how to revise men’s suits into something women could wear! This made perfect
sense as the men are usually in uniform and there is no other use for their old
clothing during this decade. The 40’s silhouette is almost the same as the 30’s
with the nipped in waist. The only difference is that the shoulders are more
squared because of the blazers.
1950s
Just like a bird unleashed from its cage, the women showed
their desire for style, elegance, and soft beautiful fabric right after the
Second World War has ceased. Christian Dior exhibited the “New Look” silhouette
which was defined by a very narrow waist, and big, extravagant skirts. Longer
skirts were appreciated, as well as the fitted ones. As long as it’s long, the
public wanted it!
Rock n’ Roll and the Jive were hits in the 1950s. The
enigmatic transformation of the decade was manifested by brightly patterned
dresses and swirling fabric.
1960s
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy has influenced everyone’s
view on elegance. Women were smitten over pastel-colored suits with oversized
buttons. Shifts, or simple geometric dresses, were also a fad while
full-skirted ball gowns were worn in the evening.
The mini-skirt made its first appearance in 1964 as
introduced by Mary Quant. After that instance a radical evolution in fashion
occurred. Hemlines were rising, higher and higher that the micro-mini was born
by 1968. The time was almost a reminiscent glance of the 20’s in shape and lines;
however the skirts are provocatively and scandalously shorter!
1970s
The hippie look slowly lost its magic as the economy
improved in the mid-seventies. From the high revealing skirts, the length of it
dropped to just below the knee, to midi, and then finally to maxi. The 70s was
a mix of all decades but with more lace, ruffles, and cuffs. Off-the-shoulder
necklines were also a hit as popularized by Yves St. Laurent. This became the
prologue of the peasant look, with flowing, unstructured effects on cuts and
structure. The 70s was also the year for the punks and the disco fever.
1980s
Who doesn’t know of SHOULDER PADS?! It is a part of what
they called “Power Dressing.”This originated from a newly realized respect for
women as they earned position in workplaces, sometimes bagging positions higher
than the men’s! It was almost a combination of the 50’s and 40’s but, again,
with the humongous shoulder pads.
Madonna also invited women from all over the world, and in
all shapes and sizes, to defy norms by wearing lace gloves, tulle skirts, and
crucifix jewelries.
1990s
The decade was a concoction of many things from knitwear,
classic blazers, blue jeans, and even baggy jeans, to oriental clothing such as
the cheongsam. The silhouette is all about freedom and flow. Fashion-era
concluded the decade in two amazing sentences that said it all: “Short above
knee straight skirts and stirrup ski pants masquerading as a refined version of
leggings were worn with long chenille yarn sweater tunics, oversized shoulder padded
shirts or big embellished T-shirts. The latter gradually reduced in size to
become slimmer fitted and semi fitted garter stitch knits with fake fur
collars, darted three-quarter shirts and screen printed t-tops minus the pads
often worn with tie waist, easy loose trousers, jeans or boot leg trousers.”
Too visual, right? The decade was a feast for the senses!
Where We Are Now.
This decade’s fashion silhouette is a recall of all the
silhouettes through time. You can see the 60’s miniskirts being flaunted with a
modern edge, as well as the maxi dresses, paired with “peasant” fashion
accessories. Where we are now when it comes to silhouettes, is all about paying
homage to our rich history. 2000 is a proof that we can make things better and
that the future isn’t necessarily about inventions. The future promises us more
and more changes but at the same time, a plenty of recognition of our past.
Life and fashion is indeed full of promises. We live life,
we love life! Silhouettes create our basis of beauty and as they run a
full-circle, we are filled with realizations that beauty is freedom and is
indeed in the eye of the beholder, no matter what time and year. This makes me
look forward to the next decade!!!
XOXO,
Nikki ♥
