2000

The fashion trend that dominated 2000-2009 is “Boho-chic”. Boho-chic is a combination of nontraditional, eclectic styles influenced by gypsies, hippies, and artistic clothing of the 1960s and 1970s. The style is one of balance between messy and feminine, while establishing a sense of uniqueness and individuality. The style itself is versatile, as the trend ranges from artsy to exquisite. Boho-chic is derived from the traditional gypsy or bohemian styles of India and Pakistan. Some of the original designs of gypsy clothing are tunics, peasent tops, sarongs, caftans, salwar suits, and kurtas. Additional elements are handmade fringe, patchwork, beading, and tiny mirrors. Many of these traditional elements are seen in the bohemian styles of today.

Some key elements of the modern boho-chic are loose and flowing garments with a mix of colors and prints, often with layers. Fabrics used are natural, and at times, organic cotton, silk, and linen, while the colors are muted and earthy. Other defining elements of boho-chic are: short and long flowing skirts, especially in white; furry gilets (a sleeveless jacket or vest); embroidered and flowing tunics; cropped jackets; large faux-coin belts; sheepskin boots (mainly UGGS); cowboy boots with intricate stitching; baggy cardigans; scarves with paisley prints; uneven hems, and tights or leggings. Some noted designers of boho-chic are Stella McCartney and Zarmina.

Boho-chic was first donned by actress Sienna Miller and model Kate Moss at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K., in 2004. At the same time, the American version of the modern bohemian was popularized by the Olson Twins (Mary Kate and Ashley), and became fashionable in areas of New York City, specifically Greenwich Village and Soho. The trend caught on quickly, in the post-9/11 era, because of its emphasis on creating a personalized, eclectic look. Boho-chic influenced the resurgence of vintage shops, especially in New York City, as many celebrities have been seen scouring the racks for individualized jewels.

1990's

Fashion of the 1990s has been quoted as “The decade fashion has forgotten.” Trends that peppered the 1990s were an eclectic mix of influences from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and the combination of styles from the three decades can be seen throughout. 

The late 1980s fashion trends carried over into the new decade, as women continued to wear aerobic leggings and stir-ups in bright florescent colors, blue jeans with matching denim jackets in acid wash, baby doll dresses, over sized t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters, with slouch socks over high-tops sneakers and keds. The 1960s and 1970s styles were revived in the mid-90s with fashion taking on hippie style floral dresses, flowered floor length skirts, lace blouses, Gypsy tops and wedge heeled shoes. Another trend that began in the 80s is the Z Cavaricci pants, or parachute pants, which were worn by both men and women.

At the same time mainstream fashion looked back to previous decades for inspiration, another alternative trend developed. In the middle of the decade, with the influence of rock band Nirvana and their lead singer, the iconic Kurt Cobain and his wife Courtney Love, the new grunge era began. Cobain and Love were the antithesis of conservative and inspired fashion trends to adopt what is known as the 90’s grunge.

The new grunge was an amalgamation of punk, which began in the 1970s, and gothic (Goth). Some of the key elements of the 90s grunge are jeans that are ripped, patched with fabric, and/or drawn on with a permanent marker, long sleeved flannels, long sleeved cotton shirts with a rock band t-shirt over it, doc martens, skate shoes, chuck taylors, or any other type of boot. The main influences driving grunge fashion are comfort and creativity; your attire should reflect a desire to break away from conservatism and be free. In conjunction with grunge, another fashion trend that was seen in the 1990s was inspired by the influx of hip-hop artists as the sagging-jeans era began in the early 90s and carried through into the 2000s.

1980's

The 1980's was a decade of many styles.

With the influence of hit television shows and a booming marketin conjunction with a number of truly unforgettable fashion trends. It was also a decade heavily influenced by music and television icons. Some of the dominant trends to come out of the 1980s are the new romantic, valley girl, and power dressing. The new romantic was a style mostly influenced by the United Kingdom’s nightlife. This style can be defined by “heavy, bold and streaky make-up, spiky hair, outrageous and exuberant clothing inspired by punk and Goth.” 

Some of the designers of the new romantic are Vivienne Westwood, Colin Swift, Stevie Stewart, and David Holah. The valley girl look came from the west, in California. Some of the main trends to come out of the valley look are headbands, leg warmers with miniskirts, and cheerleader inspired skirts.

During the 1980s more and more women entered the workforce. 

Due to this grow of women in the office, a new genre of clothing was born. The 1980s was a decade of power dressing. 

Power dressing emulated the popular 80s television show, Dynasty. Some of the main elements of power dressing are various sized shoulder pads, Velcro, glitzy jewelry, silk, wool and cotton, and bright colored spiked heels. 

For men, the power suit became popular. Narrow pinstripes, four button vests, skinny and narrow neckties, and button down collars were key elements of the power dressed man.

Madonna

In addition to the new fashion trends of the 1980s, two music icons defined their own fashion trends that became legendary. Madonna first emerged on the dance music scene with her ‘street urchin’ look consisting of short skirts worn over leggings, necklaces, rubber bracelets, fishnet gloves, hairbows, long layered strings of beads, bleached, untidy hair with dark roots, head bands, and lace ribbons. Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” era included brassieres worn as outerwear, oversized crucifix jewelry, lace gloves, tulle skirts, and boytoy belts. Madonna also popularized gloves that were lace and/or fingerless, fishnet stockings, short, tight lycra or leather miniskirts and tubular dresses with bolero-style jackets.

Michael Jackson

The other icon to come out of the 1980s is Michael Jackson. Jackson created the “Thriller” look. Some of the key elements are matching red/black leather pants and jackets, one glove, sunglasses, and the jheri curl. Other fashion trends inspired by Jackson are over sized faded leather jackets with puffy sleeves accompanied by gloves, which at times were fingerless, and aviator sunglasses.

1970's

At the beginning of the 1970's it started off continuing from the 1960's hippie style. although this soon changed as hot pants, wide leg jeans and platform shoes suddenly came in. 

One of the main influences of the fashion of this era was from the film 'Saturday night fever' starring John Travolta. From this the 'Disco look' emerged and people were soon wearing 3 piece suits for men and jersey wrap dresses for women. 

Some of the other trends seen in the 1970s are high-waisted, flared satin trousers or denims decorated with rhinestones, tight lurex halter tops and antique velvet dresses, satin hot pants, sequined bra tops, and occasionally ostrich- feather boas draped over shoulders, and turbans for headwear. 

Thrift shopping became popular, with the reemergence of the 1930s and 1940s look. Short imitation rabbit-fur jacket became fashionable, and make-up was garish and glittery, with eyebrows thinly plucked.

A few of the other fashions donned in the 1970s include: baseball jerseys and custom t-shirts, leotards, one piece swimsuits, zippered jumpsuits for both men and women, wrap skirts and dresses of rayon, neck-scarves, polyester, double knitting, skin-tight, trousers, tube tops, and slit skirts, silk blouses, spaghetti-strapped tank tops and shirt-waist dresses were also worn. In addition to platforms, “women's shoes echoed the 1940s, with high-heeled lower-platform mules. Disco began to decline late in the decade and replaced with designer jeans styled by straight, cigarette-legs, and painters' pants.

By the end of this decade the 'Disco look' was overrun by the punk scene. 

Vivenne Westwood was one of the original designers who began the punk fashion movement.

It began in the United Kingdom and quickly spread to Europe. Punk’s manifesto is creation through disorder. Safety pins became nose and ear jewelry, rubber fetish wear was subverted to become daywear, and images of mass murderers, rapists, and criminals were elevated to iconographic status.

 Some other influences of punk fashion are the Sex Pistols and Andy Warhol, and brands such as Velvet Underground. 

Key elements of punk are ripped jeans, torn t-shirts, scrappy haircuts, worn and torn leather jackets, filthy tennis-shoes, or pointy beatle boots.

 Ultimately, to be punk you should have a “thrown together poverty look.”

1960's

The 1960's was a very evolving time period as a number of styles came out of this decade.

A lot of the 60's fashion was influenced by the social atmosphere at this period.

Jacqueline Kennedy popularised most of the trends seen at this time including the pillbox hat, oversized buttons, pastel suits with short boxy jackets and simple geometric dresses/shift dresses.

A big fashion trend seen at the start of the 60's was the stiletto heel. 

In menswear suits were bright and colourful combined with frills and cravats along with bold prints and wide trousers. Leather boots and also collarless jackets were a hit.

Mary Quant 

The arrival of Mary Quants mini skirt changed everything in the world of fashion during this time period. This trend was a popular trend amongst most young adults. Another iconic style to come out of this time era was in 1964 when a French designer named Andre Courreges introduced the 'Space look' which included goggles, white boots and box shaped dresses which rised 3 inches above the knee. 

Many of the trends from the 1960's originated from Britain, as Britain was the iconic trendsetter of this time era.

The British young group branded themselves as the Mods, which was short for modernists, and catered to the younger generation. The styles seen on the Mods represented the popular culture overtaking this young generation. For men, some of these mod styles were double-breasted suits of crushed velvet or striped patterns, brocade waistcoats, shirts with frilled collars, and their hair worn below the collarbone and a ‘dandified look.’ 

For women, velvet mini dresses with lace-collars and matching cuffs, wide tent dresses and false eyelashes were in vogue, as was pale lipstick.  

These trends were donned by legendary icons Twiggy and Rolling Stone’s guitarist, Brian Jones, and could be seen in areas such Carnaby Street and Chelsea’s Kings Road.

Twiggy

Twiggy was initially known for her thin build and her look consisting of large eyes, long eyelashes, and short hair. In 1966, she was named "The Face of 1966" by the Daily Express and voted British Woman of the Year. By 1967, Twiggy had modelled in France, Japan, and the U.S., and landed on the covers of Vogue and The Tatler. Her fame had spread worldwide.

Towards the end of the decade, the hippie style emerged, influenced by the Vietnam War.  Both men and women wore  frayed bell-bottomed jeans, tie-dyed shirts, work shirts, and headbands and sandals. At times, women would go barefoot, and some went braless. Some other hippie-styles were fringed buckskin vests, flowing caftans, Mexican peasant blouses, gypsy-style skirts, scarves, bangles, and Indian prints. For the conservative hippie style, there were the ‘lounging’ or ‘hostess’ pajamas, which consisted of a tunic top over floor-length culottes, and were usually made of polyester or chiffon.

1950's

The 1950's showed a wide variety of distinctive styles. It was in this era that women drastically changed the way they presented themselves. 

some of the new trends in the 1950's were buttoned up sweaters, simple necklines, fitted blouses and full knee length skirts.

Fitted evening wear in this period was most commonly strapless or sleeveless which was emphasised with sheer silk fabrics.

The full skirts in the 1950's were emphasised by adding a nylon petticoat underneath. This created fullness and transformed the skirt.

Another popular trend in the 1950's was the trapeze skirt.

1940's- Post War.

Due to the start of the war fashion took a major standstill.
A law was made putting a watch on how many garments were being made. Ruffles were forbidden and hems could be no longer than 2 inches.

Hemlines rose up again to save on fabric they were made to lay just above the knee.

1950's- The end of the era bought happiness and chanels new look, youth and optimism were at a high. The teenager has arrived and fashion was embraced by a wider popularity and fashion became a worldwide name.

This fashion success ment rapid expansion at Dior.

One of the most recognisable fashions of the 50's, was Dior's look. Everyone was perfectly groomed and Audrey Hepburn became a huge style icon.

The stiletto became the new equivilant to Dior's 'new look'. 

1940's-

Due to the war clouds becoming nearer clother rationing was brought into place, there were shortages and people were told to 'make do and amend.'

The full skirt which was made prominant in the 30's was put on hold and it wasn't until 1947 when Coco Chanel bought it back.

During this hard time women were made to work and due to stockings being rationed women wore trousers a lot more.

A lot of the clothing that was made in this time was given a 'millitary feel' it gave the women a sense of  unity.

After the fall of fashion in Paris the women wore hats, they felt that this was  way in which they could laugh in the face of the nazi's. They felt as though some sense of control could be kept if they could still dictate fashion.

Fashion and clothing was even used to help during the war by maps being printed on women's scarves and a secret compartment in the bottom of womens bags for them to carry resistance letters.

1930's- The Depression Era.

The depression era made a change in fashion.
Clothes were made to last for a long time and so they would stay in style they were made to be seen as a 'classic'.

In all families 'hand me downs' became very fashionable.

Babies born in this era were made layettes which were sewn from sugar sacks.

The hemlines which women wore in the 1930's went down and down even more, making a drastic change from the recent flapper girl style.

Many dresses made for women were now being cut on the bias.

Sportswear were also changed, the pants for the women were also changed, the hems became flared and they were known as 'beach pyjamas'.



Designers

Coco Chanel made a hit in fashion history using black and navy free frill designs, she said 'each frill discarded makes one look younger.'

The Good times of the 1920's ended in 1929 when the crash of the stock market happened which led to the great depression.

1920's Tubular

Now Paul Poiret had come into the fashion scene fashion was moving quickly ahead and the new silouhette was straight up and down (tubular). The brassiere was introduced to help flatten the chest area to achieve this look.

Flapper girls became very popular. They wore headbands around their foreheads with a powdered face. The skirts they wore were the shortest in history especially compared to the hobble skirts which were worn a few years before.

Silk stockings were in high demand and women rolled them up just above the knee.

In mens fashion the prince was the ultimate trend setter that the popularity of men wanted to follow.

The prince very oftenly wore very wide legged trousers called oxford bags.



Paul Poiret

Paul Poiret led a movement away from the well known curvy figure.  Poiret established his own house in 1903, and made his name with the controversial kimono coat. He designed flamboyant window displays and threw legendary parties to draw attention to his work; his instinct for marketing and branding was unmatched by any previous designer. In 1909, he was so famous that H.H Asquith invited him to show his designs at 10 Downing Street. The cheapest garment at the exhibition was 30 guineas, double the annual salary of a scullery maid.

Though perhaps best known for freeing women from corsets and for his startling inventions including hobble skirts, "harem" pantaloons, and "lampshade" tunics, Poiret's major contribution to fashion was his development of an approach to dressmaking centered on draping, a radical departure from the tailoring and pattern-making of the past. Poiret was influenced by antique and regional dress, and prefered clothing cut along straight lines and constructed from rectangles.