2.02 – The history of Fashion

February 2011

Fashion History – Development of Styles

• earliest clothing– the first clothes and fabrics• animal skins, hair, plants, tree bark

– fashions of early civilizations• rectangular fabric draped around body• easy to wash and dry

Examples of earliest clothing

– ancient Egypt» short sleeved, short wrap dress

Minoan contribution:First fitted garment, skirt and jacket

ancient Greece:chiton – wrapped and pinnedhimation – cloak

roman empire:togatunic

china and japan:kimono - wrapcheongsam (high neck fitted dress)obi - sash

the evolution of fashionmiddle ages – tunics, stockings, breeches, gown with full skirt

the evolution of fashion

renaissance – elaborate, fitted bodice full skirt dress, ruffs (full collars)

the evolution of fashion

17th century – lace, cravat, no hoops in gowns

the evolution of fashion

18th century – lace, ribbons, flowing gowns

the evolution of fashion

19th century – cut-away jacket (coat with tails), matching coat, vest, trousers, fuller dresses with hoops, crinolines

Influences on fashion history

– Trade – fabrics traded between countries, changes native clothing

– Politics and power – upper class influenced dress for everyone

– Religion – puritans (humility), wore simple clothes– Technology

• Industrial revolution – the birth of manufacturing!!• Development of factories – creation of more sweatshops

(for sewing), more fabric can be produced• Growth of ready-to-wear – more factories = more

clothing to purchase!• Invention of new fibers – artificial fibers using cellulose

(main component of cotton)

Fashions of the 20th century1900-1950 – straight skirts, sailor collars, flapper dress (1920s), bias cut gowns, tailored suits with

shoulder pads, fabric rationing b/c of the war(for uniforms) created slimmer, shorter skirts and dresses – Abercrombie and Fitch – first war uniform, Christian Dior – influential designer

Fashions of the 20th century

1950s – Dior – a-line silhouette, full skirts, business suit, THE TEE-SHIRT!( from Marlon Brando and James Dean), blue jeans

Fashions of the 20th century

1960s – Jackie Kennedy, Woodstock, pillbox hat, wide lapels, bellbottom jeans, polyester double-knit suits, go-go boots

Gabrielle Coco Chanel – 1883-1971

Gabrielle Coco Chanel – 1883-1971

Fashions of the 20th century

1970s – knee length and maxi (long) skirts, pants, unisex clothing (Grease, Saturday Night Fever)

Fashions of the 20th century

1980s – power suit for men and women, DESIGNER JEANS, work out clothing, fluorescent colors, skinny leg jeans,

Fashions of the 20th century

1990s and beyond – fashion is evolving so fast that there is no universal “look” for the decade – everything from grunge (Nirvana and Kurt

Cobain) to fitted suits to casual wear – all trending toward more casual wear now