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Women's Fashion - A Brief History (1900-1960)

Through the years, women's fashion and design has always been shaped by politics, history and location. A woman's choice of clothing shows her status in society and she is expected to dress accordingly. History tells us about the role of women through the popular clothing designs as displayed in their hemlines, clothing layers, shoes or in other words; the overall fashion. The following discussion will reveal some of the interesting changes in women's fashion from as early as the 1900s.

In the 1900s, a woman's legs and feet were very rarely seen, and that is only when she's sitting. In short, stockings, shoes and other types of footwear didn't get too much attention. Clothing and footwear during that time were mostly in dark colors and accentuated by silk bows and tiny buckles. The fashion trend in footwear was represented by pointed toes and moderate high heeled shoes. Instead of a bell, the skirts took a form similar to a cone when the Civil War ended. "Shirtwaist," women's version of men's shirt became popular and clothing was described as heavily starched.

During the 1920s, legs became a plus factor and was revealed in the style of clothing worn in this time period. Hemlines went up as women began to fancy wearing flesh-colored stockings along with similar colored shoes. This pricey silk stockings went with evening wear, while patterned and ribbed selections or diamond-cut became the craze. "Flapper" fashion was the trend of the Roaring 20s characterized by floating fabrics, girdles and handkerchief hemlines.

By the 1930s, women's fashion went back to the more "ladylike" design. The clothes were typically feminine in style and design; crisp and immaculate at daytime and alluring at night time. The strappy open toed sandal was introduced along with several more sophisticated types of shoes. Some additions to the fashion scene of the decade were short-fitted suits and jackets, nylon was also introduced along with the sensational "little black dress."

In the 1940s, World War II reduced the supply of leather shoes and some fabrics became scarce, thus, women's fashion was greatly affected. Shoes with wooden soles became popular along with wedge heels. Clothing were rationed and people bought these items by means of a "coupon" system. A few items such as mending wool, lace, ribbons, clogs and suspenders remained unrestricted. Women came up with ideas to paint their shoes in bright colors or decorate the soles with stuff such as small shells, studs, etc. just to enliven their style.

Glamorous is the term that would describe women's fashion in the 1950s era. Women's fashion was characterized with full, swoop-lined empire dresses, fancy suits and full skirts with petticoats. During this era, stiletto heel became popular among the women as well as Italian shoes, which are known for their elegant and sophisticated style. Fashion accessories included seamless stockings and beehive hairdos.

During the 1960s, the free thinking spirit prevailed and soon spread in nearly all parts of the world, even the world of fashion. Skirts started growing much shorter until the "mini" appeared. By this time; women's pantyhose started replacing stockings. Flat boots paired with very short dresses became the popular fashion statement. Fabrics with psychedelic prints, denim pants, and pill box hat were also some of the popular fashion styles of the 1960s.

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