As I said in my last blog, fashion became a real aspect of life in the 1500s. However fashion has changed a lot since then, for various different reasons. This blog is going to take you through fashion throughout the ages.
Last time we looked at fashion in the 1500s, and in the next 300 years it didnt reall change much.
Rich people in the 1600s wore dresses with hoop skirts underneath that made the skirts puffier. They wore a lot of layers over their skirts, as well as a lot of underclothes, including skirts and corsets that kept their outfits together. They also wore a lot of good materials like muslin, silk and chemise, especially on the upper collar. These collars were often very extravagant and big and covered the woman's neck.
Poor people couldn't afford to wear as extravagant outfits, and they often had to wear dresses that were very practical and unflattering. In this picture the women are French maids, and they have dresses that are flat and loose, with big sleeves and aprons for the housework. They kept their hair in bonnets to keep it from getting into the food they made or from interfering with the cleaning.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=1600s+fashion+for+poor+people&um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=583&tbm=isch&tbnid=SazOMssGRkAL2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com/wcsstore/wmarket/html/prentis/wigmaking.htm&docid=sYoJ6nWrYKmsYM&imgurl=http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com/wcsstore/wmarket/html/prentis/images/hs/wigmaker_staff.jpg&w=287&h=217&ei=2y6cTpjQD9K1hAf2hJ2LBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=912&vpy=149&dur=1953&hovh=173&hovw=229&tx=126&ty=120&sig=116276916598082779274&page=1&tbnh=117&tbnw=151&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0
For the next 300 years the fashion didn't change much. Women didn't have their own independence and a certain look was still expected from them. However in the late 1800s - early 1900s women were more permitted to wear outfits that had bare shoulders or a low neckline. Notice that the women here, although their dresses cover up alot around the legs and the torso, the arms, shoulders and neck(apart from a nice pearl necklace) are left bare.
http://www.google.ie/imgres?q=1800s+fashion+for+women&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=583&tbm=isch&tbnid=onwwyZcbXp9aMM:&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/3241695751/&docid=7BqkOBkkve3t6M&imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3241695751_032a823d70.jpg&w=364&h=500&ei=gCegTqEKwrSEB9G_icgE&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=628&vpy=161&dur=8184&hovh=263&hovw=191&tx=45&ty=102&sig=112808230804050767720&page=1&tbnh=184&tbnw=134&start=0&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0
Fashion really began to change in the 1920s. From then on there was a new style every decade as women were gaining moren independence and rights, and experimented with what they wore.
1920s:
-Women experimented with make-up, often having very red lips and dark eye make-up.
-They often wore their hair curled and in an up-do.
-The dresses came to mid-calves and were made of shimmery materials.
-The long pearls were very common and seen as very stylish.
http://www.google.ie/imgres?q=1800s+fashion+for+women&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=583&tbm=isch&tbnid=onwwyZcbXp9aMM:&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/3241695751/&docid=7BqkOBkkve3t6M&imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3241695751_032a823d70.jpg&w=364&h=500&ei=gCegTqEKwrSEB9G_icgE&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=628&vpy=161&dur=8184&hovh=263&hovw=191&tx=45&ty=102&sig=112808230804050767720&page=1&tbnh=184&tbnw=134&start=0&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0
Fashion really began to change in the 1920s. From then on there was a new style every decade as women were gaining moren independence and rights, and experimented with what they wore.
1920s:
-They often wore their hair curled and in an up-do.
-The dresses came to mid-calves and were made of shimmery materials.
-The long pearls were very common and seen as very stylish.
- -Although long hair had always been the fashion, in the 1930s-1940s, women experimented with short curly hair, especially blond.
1950s+1960s -Women were beginning to get more confident with their bodies at this point, and even though it was frowned upon, some of them began to wear jeans.
The poodle skirts were very fashionable and many of the teenagers would wear them. You can see these outfits in movies such as 'Grease.' 1970s - 1980s
- Women showed alot more skin now, often wearing shorts and clingy tops, and massive thigh high boots. They also wore hats and lots of different colours in their clothes. 
1990s
Denim was often used in the 1990s, for both girls and boys, shirts and jeans. A good example of the fashion in the 1990s is from the hit TV show 'Saved By The Bell.'
In my next blog I will talk about the fashion from the beginning of the millennium and the current fashion.
Till then , KT
