Today what is considered as pushing the envelope in fashion is quite different than what it was in decades past. The economy and society have always played a large role in what we saw on the runways and on women who considered themselves fashionable. The 1920s was a time of rebellion from the constricted Edwardian style. Women began to wear pants and the flapper was born. During the 1940s when America was fighting the war there were quite a few restrictions when it came to garment construction. Fabric was scarce and Japanese silk was banned. And of course who can forget the 1950s and Dior’s New Look or Mary Quant and the mini skirt. It’s always interesting looking back on past fashion trends and how they have evolved over the decades. And even on today’s runways we still revisit some of our favorite trends from the past.

The roaring 20s and the Flapper. With the release of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby this fall we saw many 1920s inspired fashion on the Spring 2012 runways. The 20s were a time of freedom with the dismissal of the bustle and corset and the end of the First World War. This time in history is often referred to as the Roaring 20s. Previously high fashion was only available to the wealthy but with the simplicity of the flapper dress and other styles of the time women were able to make their own clothes at home. Most skirts and dresses were either knee length or mid-calf. Art Deco style was born as a result of fashion being more inspired by art and architecture. Women wanted to resemble the slender, flat chested teenage girl rather than that of a curvaceous one.

WWII and the 1940s. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 the world was at war once again and high fashion was put on the back burner. Men went off to war and the women stayed on the home front. During this time many women went to work in factories to help the war effort and support their country. There was a restriction on wool and other fabrics because of its need for uniforms and other war materials because of this hemlines were on the rise. Japanese Silk was banned in the U.S. after Pearl Harbor and many women’s clothes were made out of nylon, including stockings. When the government started using nylon to make parachutes women began to spray tan their legs to create the appearance of stockings. Shorts were introduced and women also began to wear jumpsuits. Fabric restriction played a huge part in the demise of the one piece bathing suit and women began exposing their midriffs. In 1947 Christian Dior introduced the New Look and that brought on the A line.

1950s and the New Look. Christian Dior’s New Look was still very popular and inspired many new designs. The 50s introduced style icons like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Wartime restrictions had been lifted but nylon was still in heavy rotation. Femininity was embraced and women wanted to resemble their favorite movie starlet. Soft silhouettes and corseted waists followed by full A line skirt were the uniform look. The pencil skirt was also popular paired with a blouse and boxy jacket. The ladies of the 50s cared very much about their appearance and always wanted to appear polished and put together. To this day Dior still pays homage to this decade and its elegant style.

The 60s and the mini. 1950s inspired fashion lingered on into the 60s until around 1965. The mini skirt was not made popular until 1967 when young girls all over caught on to the British invasion of the “Chelsea Look”. Mary Quant wanted to provide young women with something new and innovative and she gained inspiration from Courrèges’ 1964 designs of the mini skirt. Mary created a mini that was 6 to 7 inches above the knee and made out of fabrics like PVC.