Photo for cover of 100 years of fashion timeline

A Timeline of Fashion by Each Decade

By essy
  • 1900's - 1910's FASHION known as: The Aughties or Noughties

    1900's - 1910's FASHION known as: The Aughties or Noughties
    The beginning of the 1900's was known as the Belle Epoch, or "beautiful era" in French. A new century, meant new advances in all areas, even with fashion. The trends of the Victorian era were reduced to simplicity and common sense, moving into the Edwardian era. Long elegant lines for both day and evening were slim at the hip, achieved with pleating and smocking and elongated at the back to form a train. Any fullness in the skirt was confined to below the knee. Tall stiff collars and broad hats.
  • 1910's - 1920's Fashion known as: "the Nineteen Tens" or "the Jazz Age"

    1910's - 1920's Fashion known as: "the Nineteen Tens" or "the Jazz Age"
    During the first half of the decade, fashion had a rich and exotic opulence until the coming of the Great War which ranged in contrast with the somber practicality of garments. Men's trousers were worn cuffed to ankle-length and creased. Skirts rose from floor length to well above the ankle, hobble skirts were in being wide at the waist and tight at the ankles. Women began to bob their hair, and the stage was set for the radical new fashions associated with the Jazz Age of the 1920s
  • 1920's - 1930's Fashion decade known as: "The Roaring Twenties"

    1920's - 1930's Fashion decade known as:  "The Roaring Twenties"
    Fashions changed with women's changing roles in society. Sportswear became the greatest change in post-war fashion. The tubular dresses of the 'teens evolved into shorter skirts with pleats, gathers, or slits to allow motion. The most memorable trend was "the flapper” look. The flapper dress was functional and flattened the bust line rather than accentuating it.Close fitting cloche hat with bobbed hair. Full skirts also were popular.
  • Period: to

    1925

    In 1925, "shift" type dresses with no waistline emerged.
  • 1930's - 1940's Fashion Decade known as: "The Turbulent Thirties", or sometimes as: "The Threadbare Thirties"

    1930's - 1940's Fashion Decade known as: "The Turbulent Thirties", or sometimes as: "The Threadbare Thirties"
    A difficult time due to the depression, women had to make make do with less. The "Feedsack Dress" became popular at this time. Made from the sacks that animal feed came in and upcycled it into clothing. Knit, two piece suits were common casual wear. The formal wear became classy, and the Hollywood Glamour look became popularized today with their long, elegant dresses. Teen girls started wearing tighter fitted sweaters. Fashion of the 30's was less extreme and extravagant than other decades.
  • 1940's - 1950's Fashion Decade known as: "The Roaring Forties"

    1940's - 1950's Fashion Decade known as: "The Roaring Forties"
    Under the knee length skirts and dresses. Coats were popular that covered the hem of the skirts or dresses. Skirts and dresses became squared at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and flared out wider and wider. Shirt dresses cinched in at the waist to show or create an hourglass figure. Pinup look starting to evolve. Utility suits with A-line skirts. Sweaters. Light and sheer lingerie for nightwear.
  • 1950's - 1960's Fashion Decade known as: "The Fabulous (Fab) Fifties, sometimes The Nifty Fifties "

    1950's - 1960's Fashion Decade known as: "The Fabulous (Fab) Fifties, sometimes The Nifty Fifties "
    An era of fashion that would suit any body shape. Belts, bullet bras, high waisted knickers, petticoats and accessories as red lipstick, gloves and scarves were used to create the womanly look, which was very in. The sweater girl look and the wasp waist with a full skirt or the tight fitting pencil skirt were both iconic 50's looks. Tight tops, capri pants and flat shoes. Well suited for Jive dancing that was popular.
  • 1960's - 1970's Fashion Decade known as: "The Swingin' Sixties, sometimes The Psychedelic Sixties"

     1960's - 1970's Fashion Decade known as: "The Swingin' Sixties, sometimes The Psychedelic Sixties"
    The "Shift" dress. Oversized collars and bows, the jumper dress, jeans, bell-bottom pants, pant suits, coloured tights, kitten heels and Mary-Jane strap heels. Plaids, pleats and Corduroy and The mini dress: Which wasn't to attract a man's sexual interest, however a way to attract attention so that a woman could be the one to decide if his attention was wanted. It showed "how confident she was" and wasn't about how great her legs were. Colours and prints: inspired by the pop art movement.
  • 1970's - 1980's Fashion Decade known as: "The Disco Era ("accept no imitation"), The 'Me' Decade"

    1970's - 1980's Fashion Decade known as: "The Disco Era ("accept no imitation"), The 'Me' Decade"
    This was a fun era. It too the best out of the 60's and exaggerated them. "There are no rules in the fashion game now"(Vogue). The hippy fashion was big with tye dyed shirts, flowers in the hair. Polyester, denim and bright colours. Men and women wore tight fitting, flared pants and platforms. High cut boots, low cut pants. "Midi Skirts" were the length. Satin dresses and pearls for the evening. "Safari Style" dress or suit: emerged by Yves Saint Laurent. Vintage clothing. Glitter and disco.
  • 1980's - 1990's Fashion Decade known as: " "

    Velour, velvet An image of success by wearing expensive clothes lots of shiny costume jewelry.