By Emma Howard - rowellsapushistory

By Emma Howard
Coco Chanel built her empire on
elegance and simplicity in the
1920s, sparking a variety trends of
and creating the important role of
fashion in society.
Coco Chanel is quoted as saying, “Simplicity is the
keynote of all true elegance,” in 1923 to Harper’s
Bazaar Magazine. In the early 1920s, Chanel
created high quality and expensive fabric that was
sewn with extreme attention to detail. She wanted
to create a line of clothing for women that gave them
a ladylike appearance. Her line started the
importance of trends and name brand clothes
because everyone wanted to own an outfit created
by Chanel. The 1920s fashion modeled her line of
clothing. Women were seen in long black and white
dresses accessorized with pearls and cloche hats.
In the 30s, sportswear became very
popular. During this time, it was trendy
and professional, as well as comfortable.
Designer Jean Patou lead the way in
sport fashion. She designed windbeam
pants along with jersey, soft knit, and
flannel shirts. The most popular creation
was the polo shirt. The Lacoste shirt first
appeared in 1933. This styles allowed
men and women to be stylish and
comfortable.
The 40s was filled with clean-cut and wellfit clothing. Women wore suit-dresses, over
the knee pencil skirts with high waists, and
fitted jackets with oversized shoulders and
had an accentuated waist. Women were
mostly seen with trench coats and beret
hats. Men wore full cut suits and single
breasted jackets. They accessorized with
fedora hats.
The 50s were filled with various vogues. Girls
were found in long skirts with matching
button up sweater sets and saddle shoes.
Rolled up jeans with white socks showing
and Converse were popular with guys,
along with black leather jackets. Girls
tended to have pageboy hair cuts, also
known as a bob. Boys either had a crew
cut or slicked their hair back.
This advertisement was created in1959
and promoted Chanel No. 5 Perfume,
purse perfume and spray cologne. Here
it is listed at $10.00, while today the price
is $125.00.
This Jantzen Women’s Swimsuits original vintage
advertisement came out in 1955. This was the
popular swimsuit to wear because the bikini did
not come out until the 1960s. This advertisement
markets the onepiece swimsuit for $17.95.
In the 60s, people started creating
their own style. Jackie Kennedy was
widely known for her elegant style, so
some looked to her for the way they
dressed. Kennedy’s style consisted of
beautiful dresses, well fit and
feminine jackets, extra-large
sunglasses, three-strand pearls, and
pill box hats. Other admired looks
were a-line mini dresses and culottes.
Girls would wear pale lipstick and
fake eyelashes, accessorizing with
low heel sandals, kitten heel pumps,
or white go-go boots. The bikini
came out in the 60s along with the
micro mini in 1968. Both immediately
became all the rage. Men dressed in
narrow trousers, lapel jackets, and
thin ties. Girls wore their hair straight
and parted in the middle. Guys had
beetle cuts, known today as the
bowl cut.
The 70s were filled with flower power. People wore
flowers in their hair and attached flower patches
to their jeans. Men and women looked very similar.
Both dressed in tie dye, bell bottoms, and platform
shoes. Guys wore Nehru jackets and madras suit
jackets. Girls still had long and straight hair. Girls
with curly hair ironed it. Men had long shaggy hair,
known as the mop top. African Americans flaunted
their huge afro hairdos. Hats were no longer in and
were replaced with bandanas.
80s style was exceedingly
impacted by the music
scene. Leather jackets
came back in style.
Stone washed jeans and
cowboy boots were
worn by men and
women. Women also
wore “Flashdance”
sweatshirt dresses with
spandex pants that had
stirrups. Fluorescent neon
skirts were also popular.
Boys lusted after
parachute pants. Girls
with curls were now the
envy of the straighthaired girls. Big hair was
in. Sometimes it was
accessorized with
banana clips.
By the 90s, people had defined their own personal look. Although there were
particular pieces of clothing that were trendy, people found a way to make it
their own. Men and women both wore ripped jeans, hoodies, and trendy tshirts. Leather was still in. Guys sported Air Jordan’s. Some women chose halter
tops, mini skirts, heels, and bling jewelry. They could mix it up with hip-huggers
and capris. Other women enjoyed cowl neck sweaters and petticoat dresses.
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