Fashion Through Ages
Clothing has always been an important part of society. In history, climate, religion and political factors played a role in the fabrication, styling and even color of the garments that people wore. Nowadays, the fashion industry is multi-faced. Climate and religion are still important factors in some societies. But, there are more influences in what we choose to wear.
In the eighteen century, The French court at Versailles was the centre of fashion world and clothes became very elaborate and exotic. Women`s dresses became wider. By the 1740s some fashionable dresses measured more than two metres across. Women also had enormous hairstyles with decorations like flowers and even fruit. In the 1770s fashionable men in Britain copied the latest Italian styles. They wore extravagant clothes, lots of pale make-up and wigs that were powered and tied with ribbons.
After the First World War, the clothes of the twenties shocked many people. Fashions for women became more relaxed and freer than before. Women wore simple, comfortable clothes and the fashionable look was boyish. For example, young women had short hair and wore skirts above the ankle, which horrified many people. Clothes were colorful and informal, to match the new music and ‘in’ dances like the Charleston. Male fashion also became less formal as well. Wealthy men began wearing suits. In the 1930s Hollywood stars became a major fashion influence and manufacturers began to mass-produce cheap, fashionable clothes. Nowadays, designers often reference historical styles and push them into modern trends.
By observing clothing of other societies in the world, we can learn a lot about the depth and complexity of the members that make this world colorful and diverse. Subcultures also illustrate how a particular way of dressing can transform into a lifestyle. Clothing is something that defines a person, and allows society to have an outlook on an individual`s lifestyle and beliefs.
