These Are the Fashion Shifts in The Last 100 Years

Fashion is something that has always been, and always will be subject to change. Every new decade unveils a trend that transforms the predecessor into a now-modern work of art. There are only a scarce amount of components in fashion that enjoy timelessness to their entirety. Dark denim, T-shirts, Trench coats, and tops are exhibit-A.

The change in fashion wasn’t as definitive prior to the 20th century—a time that laid the true boundaries of fashion. Regardless of what you wear, you are a part of a certain fashion segment. Do you know which particular era you belong to in terms of fashion? Here is a detailed overview of the shifts in the past century you can look into for the answer.  

The Early 1900s

The time between 1910 and 1930s was what you may call, ‘sassy’!  From tall stiff collars to those broad hats, it was all about being fancy. Unlike the stick figures of the modern day, the early 1900s was limelight for the Nouveau-styled figures. This was also a time of modest cover up. The skin had very little to do. The dresses were long and the hands were veiled with gloves.

Another key determinant was the oxblood lips—an element of the modern-day fashion statement. This offered a contrast which fashion photographers of the modern-day would love to capture. By the third decade of the century, the waists were redefined, caps went French, and fur and floral patterns made an entry. This was also the time when the Great Depression was on the verge.

The Mid-1900s

As we moved towards the mid-20th century, we witnessed the influx of nipped in waists and the composition of pastel shades while the gloves remained intact. This was the time when utility became the core ingredient. This was accompanied by the relative shortening of dresses. While some deem it as a fashion shift, it was merely an upshot of fabric rationing. For fashion photographers of the age, this became something new to capture.    

Women’s dresses were no longer meeting the ground, and sleeves also found an inevitable way out. Wider shoulders were now considered contemporary. Gloves continued to rock, and round hats made their way in. The post-WWII period was a literal midpoint. Dresses were elegantly shorter, but the flower prints were still a thing. Another addition by the 1950s was the welcoming of brighter, more engaging colors. The 50s in particular varied a lot in trends. While some were new, others were brought back to life from the early 1920s.

With the 1960s, things started to move towards the conservative end of the trends. This led the fashion industry into a completely new direction. For men, clean shaves were no longer a thing. On the contrary, beards and long hair were embraced. For women, the decade ushered them into a new era of fashion. It was far fancier than it had ever been. This also offered fashion photographers a chance to enhance their shooting skills. You can comprehend this better with the fact that Twiggy eyelashes were brought to limelight in this decade. 

1970s to 1990s

We are proud to welcome you to the golden age of fashion. This is, in fact, the era which most closely resembles what we wear today and how we wear it. Brighter colors were a core part of fashion in the 70s. This was accompanied by the popular high cut boots and tighter pants. During this time, certain loose clothing alternatives like robes were also part of the show. 

For men, it was all about being masculine. Boasting chest hair and butterfly collars were trending. While we associate the infamous bellbottoms with the 90s, they actually were brought to life back in the late 70s and early 80s. The classy tennis headbands were also a part of fashion back then. This was exquisitely featured in pretty much every fashion magazine, thanks to the fashion photographers of that day! No wonder why we refer to it as the golden age of fashion. 

For some reason, by the time we reached the mid-80s, suddenly everything went formal. Pressed suits and formal shirts and pants were welcomed by the fashion industry. This doesn’t, however, mean that ‘fancy’ was off topic. In fact, the famous tiger-stripes got their fame from the 1980s. It was one end or the other. Talking about the fancier part of fashion, shiny fabrics, and puffed hair were the icons of this decade. 

The story didn’t take much turn by the 1990s, except for the fact that diversification took place. The decade was by far the most popular of the entire 21st century. It featured looser clothes for both men and women, and pigtails had become a thing. The 90s also welcomed ‘grunge’ in fashion. If there was one word to define fashion in this decade, it would certainly be ‘rebellious’! 

The 2000s

Say Hello to the 21st Century with style! Not only did the fashion industry progress, but the advance in technology also put more—better—tools at the disposal of fashion photographers to play with. Thanks to hip-hop music, long T-shirts and baggy jeans were now in! The grunge look—choker necklaces, darkened lip shades, and mascara-filled eyes—got grungier. On the other hand, women still wore bellbottom jeans with tank-tops and those cool biker jackets. Female friends often made group fashion statements.  The appeal of Sex and the City made an impact in every town and every city. 

The Present

The fashion industry has come a long way. It has sure transformed for good! Today, it is about being simple, elegant, hardcore, and sassy! It is about comfort. This is probably the only time when fashion has become flexible to meet everyone in their own comfort zones. You can wear skin-tight denim with loose T-shirts, a leather jacket and boast your long hair, or you can rock a skirt with high-heels and short hair to that party - it is all about what you are comfortable with.

You can define modern-day fashion as a mashup of the latter half of the twentieth century. Pretty much anything you opt for has a place in contemporary fashion. If not, you might be on the verge of defining a new era in fashion, consequently offering diversity to the fashion photographers.

Looking for a fashion photographer? Dino Mosley Photography is just the right one for you! We excel at all kinds of photoshoots, may it be fashion photography, fitness photography, or anything else. For more information or to enjoy free counselling, email us at info@dinomosleyphotography.com. You can also give us a call at 323-332-1197, and book us!