Women's fashion from 1910 to 2010 went through many trends and silhouettes that reflected the historical events of each decade. Hemlines rose and fell, silhouettes shifted from cinched waists to straight lines, and fabrics changed based on availability. Designers innovated new styles that captured the spirit of the times.

1. O ne H und red Years of Wom en’s
Fashion
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By Shannon Perry
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the D – 2010
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2. 1910 - 1919
• Trend: Feminine; hemlines were floor-
length to above the ankle
• Silhouette: Softer, fluid lines; straighter
H is t o r ic a l skirts, easy movement; corsets were
no longer in fashion
e ve nts o f • Fabrics: Gossamer, silk
t h e t im e • Colors: Pastels; vivid, bright, and bold
colors made by new dyeing techniques
1910 – Ballets Russes perform in Paris, • Designers: Paul Poiret, Jeanne Paquin
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

3. 1920’s
• Trend: Sporty, athletic; short, bob
hairstyle; sleeveless dresses; knee-
length hemlines; high heels; cloche
hats; costume jewelry
• Silhouette: Straight lines; waist is H is t o r ic a l
lowered to hip on dresses; no
defined waistline; diagonal hems e ve nts o f
• Fabrics: Cotton, knits, jersey,
tweeds, fringe, beading
t h e t im e
• Colors: Bold color combinations; 1920 – Women are granted the right
solid shades; geometric patterns to vote, leading to more
independence
• Designers: Coco Chanel, Jean Patou
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

4. 1930’s • 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
H is t o r ic a l • Fabrics: Bias-cut; silk,
e ve nts o f gabardine, chiffon; pleats
and draping
t h e t im e • Colors: Muted colors and
refined, elegant shades
1930 – the Great Depression begins a • Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli,
time of hardship, bad economy, and Charles James
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

5. • Trend: Fabric shortage caused
shorter hemlines; shirtdresses;
thick heels; mix and match styles;
1940’s
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
H is t o r ic a l e v e n t s o f
t h e t im e
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

6. 1950’s • 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
H is t o r ic a l
• Designers: Valentino, Cristobal
Balenciaga
e ve nts o f
t h e t im e
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

7. 1960’s
1960s
• 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
H is t o r ic a l
e ve nts o f
t h e t im e
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

8. 1970’s
• 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
H is t o r ic a l
e ve nts o f
t h e t im e
1970 – Beatles break up
1973 – DVF creates first wrap dress
1975 – Microsoft founded
1977 – Star Wars premieres

9. 1980’s • 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
H is t o r ic a l
e ve nts o f
t h e t im e
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

10. 1990’s
• 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
H is t o r ic a l
• Fabrics: Cotton, denim, knits,
flannel, spandex
e ve nts o f
• Colors: dark, muted; floral patterns;
plaid; color block; monochromatic;
t h e t im e
black
• Designers: Giani Versace, Marc 1991 – Collapse of the Soviet
Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Ford Union
1992 – Official end of the Cold
War
1993 – Internet is widely used
1994 – Kurt Cobain dies, ending
Grunge era
1997 – Princess Diana dies

11. •
2000’s
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,
H is t o r ic a l Vivienne Westwood, Alexander
Wang, Stella McCartney, classic
and vintage
e ve nts o f
t h e t im e
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