Fashion History Highlights
Design trends through the decades
Ever wondered how society went from dresses and suits for every occasion to jeans and t-shirts day in and day out? Read on to follow fashion from the 1920s to the 2020s and discover the trends that define the decades.
The 1920s: Postwar personalities
After WWI, women dressed a little more like men. Men dressed like, well, men, but slightly less formally than during the war.
- Looser fits
- Shorter hemlines
- Bobbed hair
- Two-piece suits
- Wide-leg pants
- Bowler hats
The 1930s: Feminine and formal
The pendulum swung back as women reclaimed femininity and men returned to formality. Zippers replaced buttons and laces as the clothing closure of choice.
- Backless bias-cut dresses
- Floor-length hemlines
- Three-piece suits
- Slim silhouette
The 1940s: A decade divided
During WWII, slim, fabric-saving suits. After the war, absolute extravagance.
- Skirt suits
- Elaborate jackets and long pleated skirts
- Single-breasted suits
- Zoot suits made from an abundance of fabric
The 1950s: Graceful glamour
Unbroken lines, ensembles complete with accessories, and a careful mix of classic and colorful. In short, elegance.
- Hourglass and A-line dresses
- Higher hemlines
- Stilettos
- Two- or three-piece suits
- Bowler hats
- Decorative canes
The 1960s: Trapeze and turtlenecks
Women could finally show their knees (gasp!), and men finally escaped the suit (double gasp!).
- Trapeze silhouettes
- Hemlines above the knee
- Turtlenecks
- Checked pants
The 1970s: Disco digs
The 1970s were an explosion of color as disco and hippie culture took center stage.
- Pants (acceptable any time!)
- Mini skirts
- Platform heels
- Tight shirts
- Flared pants
- Wide, pointed lapels
The 1980s: Sensational suits
Power suits. Young urban professional (yuppie) suits. Everything was suits. Lycra (spandex) bodysuits and leggings paired with leg warmers took over home gyms by way of workout videos.
- Power suits
- Yuppie skirt suits and handbags
- Power suits
- Yuppie pinstripes and Rolexes
The 1990s: Grungy graphics
Grunge was in. Looking good meant dressing down.
- Tube tops
- Baggy pants
- Sneakers
- Band tees
- Ripped jeans
- Open button-ups
The 2000s: Lowrise, layers, and logos
Logos on every handbag, denim for every occasion, and celebrities calling the sartorial shots.
- Lowrise skinny jeans
- Boleros and scarves
- Handbags
- Skinny jackets
- Skinny pants
- Skinny ties
- The boyband look
The 2010s: Instagram icons
For work: the preppy J. Crew look. For Instagram: bright, bold, maximalist statement pieces meant to grab attention — and likes.
- Peplum tops
- Pencil skirts
- Statement pieces
- Mid-century suits
- Loafers
- Statement pieces
The 2020s: Shifting styles
The divide between women’s fashion and men’s fashion hasn’t quite disappeared, but it’s getting smaller every day. Fast-fashion microtrends and sustainable clothing practices duke it out in the ultimate 2020s fashion battle.
- Dressing for Zoom
- Nostalgia
- Preppiness
- Oversized looks
- Althleisure
And there you have it! The rigid rules of 1920s raiments loosened and loosened until they finally let go. In the 2020s, anyone can wear anything. So go! Be free! Wear whatever you want! (Just know that your signature style might end up in an infographic someday 😉.)
To see more visual content worthy of the runway, subscribe to the Lemonly Lowdown.
Sources:
