If we start counting the necessities of life, having clothes to cover oneself will always be among the main ones. Men have always been urged to choose the best dresses to wear. It’s our natural tendency to look presentable for different occasions.
Moreover, fashion trends have evolved throughout the years. The revolution of clothes has made the fashion industry a global billion-dollar industry. In this guide, we’ll look at the main working principles of the fashion industry, its different states throughout the years, and the direction in which it’s heading now.
So, let’s get started with the Revolution of clothes
Fashion Industry Throughout The Years
Early Years
Since the Stone Age, man has covered himself in clothes. However, at that time, clothes were seen as a necessity to get warmth and protection from harsh environments like the winter and fall seasons. There wasn’t much diversity, and people of all ages and genders mostly got to wear the same basic and typical designs.
As time passed, designs became more complex, but most of the clothes were handmade. They took arduous, long hours to produce, and still, people couldn’t get them mass-produced. Moreover, clothes made out of finer materials were rare and expensive. As such, the average man couldn’t afford them and these designs remained exclusive for royalty. But all this took a turn some 200 years from now.
Industrial Revolution of Clothes
The Industrial Revolution completely changed the way how our world worked. New ideas gain popularity. Just like every other industry, the fashion industry was deeply affected as well. With the advent of machinery, like the sewing machine in 1851, it became possible to mass-produce clothes. Each designer had one of these marvels at their home, and they used their imagination to create an endless array of designs. The public also benefited from this, as they now had a wide diversity of clothes to choose from at an affordable rate.
20th Century
On the eve of the 20th century, the industry started to follow a pattern of seasonal trends. We saw the emergence of luxury designer brands, like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yuvent Saint Laurent. They transformed clothing into a proper art form by introducing different styles and innovative strategies.
Globalization and Technology
The industrial revolution had reached its peak, and the next step was to globalize the revolution. People all over the world got connected through the internet. Moreover, cargo planes made it plausible to deliver products to different areas swiftly.
Today, a brand can design its tuff in one country, manufacture it in another, and sell it in another. This globalization has brought an influx of international designers and brands promoting cross-cultural exchange. This influence can be clearly seen in rapidly changing trends. Technology has also played a role in the industry’s growth. It has provided platforms for selling innovative designs, like e-commerce and digital marketing. Additionally, it has eased the sales process by streamlining production and expansion.
A Brief Overview of Major Fashion Trends Throughout the Years
We’re currently living in the age of social media where designs can draw inspiration from the daily lives and actions of people. Throughout history, fashion has reflected the following trends:
Trend in 1900s
The leading fashion trend of the first decade of the 20th century was the S-shaped silhouette, with it pushing the chest forward and the hips back.
Trends in 1910
The 1910s showed a shift towards more natural silhouettes. These dressings focused on enhancing the more natural contours of women.
But toward the end of this decade, the outbreak of World War 1 led to more practical clothing.
Trends in 1920
The end of World War 1 raised the desire for more minimalistic and comfortable clothing, meaning no more unnatural silhouettes.
1920 is also remembered as the age of jazz and glamor. Some prominent trends from this era involve “The Flapper Look” and “Robe de style.” Additionally, significant strides were made in women’s empowerment during this time, with women’s sportswear becoming more socially acceptable.
Trends in 1930
Fashion, in general, transitioned from a boyish look of the previous decade into a more feminine silhouette.
The Cinema of the 30s had a significant impact on fashion movie stars like Great Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Bite Davis. These figures were some of the significant Hollywood-style icons, the talk of every city. What they wore became a trend, and people idealized their styles.
Trends in 1940
Breaking out of World War 2 led to a shortage of materials, and fashion again became practical, with uniforms for men and utility clothing for other citizens. This decade also saw the invention of bikinis in 1946.
Moreover, Christian Dior’s “New Look” in 1946 was considered a groundbreaking design.
Trends in 1950
Long, tragic years of war have led to a general desire in women to dress up and look stylish. More feminine silhouettes characterize the 50s: softer shoulder lines, smaller corset waists, and rounded hips with long skirts.
Dior, Coco Chanel, and Cristobal Balenciaga were the main fashion designers of this decade known for revolutionizing women’s clothing.
Trends in 1960
The leading fashion trends of this time were found in the middle of the decade, widely known as the “Swinging Sixties,” a period of modern, social, and cultural change.
Miniskirt by Mary Quant and André Courrèges was the main spotlight.
Moreover, the hippie culture, with its bold florals, crochet tie dye, bell bottoms, go boots, and mini skirts gained popularity.
The rising popularity of the Women’s liberation movement led to women expressing themselves more. Bikinis were now more acceptable, and more women started to wear pants.
Furthermore, the use of new materials and designs inspired by space travel and technology are also some other noticeable mentions.
Trends in 1970s
The hippie style remained in trend. This decade came to be known as the “Polyester decade” because of the increased synthetic materials used later in the decade. The hippie style left room for the glamorous looks of “The Disco Era” with designer Halston up front. See-through clothing also saw a rise.
Trends in 1980s
The fashion of the 80’s and 90’s was marked with extravagant silhouettes, bold colors, and accessories. Neon clothes and jumpsuits became famous. Fitness became immensely popular, too, along with off-the-shoulder sweatshirts, sports shorts, spandex, leggings, leg warmers, and headbands.
Music in the 1980s had a significant influence on fashion: pop music, punk, and hip-hop aesthetics were some of the leading market trends.
Trends in 1990s
The revolution of clothes in the 1990s was heavily influenced by icons like The Spice Girls, Clueless, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Britney Spears, and many more. It was the peak of the supermodel era with sportswear of the 80s continuing.
Three prominent subcultures of the nineties were “Grunge fashion,” “The Preppy Style,” and “Punk.”
Trends in 2000
The 2000s saw the rise of fast fashion where affordable clothes inspired by models became available in departmental stores.
Celebrities and characters from TV shows were the main style icons.
Jeans and Tracksuits were the trendy pieces. Predominant trends were the bohemian look, hip hop, streetwear, Y2k, scene, emo, and athleisurewear.
Trends in 2010s
In this decade, women started wearing workout gear for everyday wear. This decade also saw the rise of bloggers and influencers. But this decade also saw significant sustainability issues.
Current Trends
The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on fashion. People have started wearing cozy clothing, and a lot of trends have resurfaced. Since you’re currently living in this age, you might already know what’s trending, but where is the fashion industry heading?
What Does the Future Hold? Final Thought
As the revolution of clothes continues, the importance of adopting sustainable practices and ethical fashion becomes inevitable to deny. With rising concerns of environmental impacts, significant changes are being made. Prominent designers and brands are moving towards more eco-friendly materials, Responsible sourcing, and fair labor practices.
But we’re no fortune-telling saints. There’s no telling what other trends are to emerge in the future and revolutionize the industry. We have to wait to see that, and perhaps it’s the most beautiful thing about the industry!
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