Diana Vreeland, a known “empress of fashion”, once said, “Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes” (LeTrent 19). Fashion is generally defined as the clothing and accessories that are worn by individuals. Even though fashion seems like a simple and insignificant topic, fashion impacts almost every aspect of our society. Fashion reveals not only cultural changes that are occurring in society, but also social and political changes that are happening in our country. If an individual was to research the Counterculture of the 1960s, they will find that the fashion during this era mirrored the social movements of that period in our history. During
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Beginning from the Revolutionary period (1775-1800) of our history, fashion became more restrained due to the lack of commerce with England (The Revolution 5). Clothing during this time became less colorful and vibrant since our country lacked the imported materials it once had from England (5). Before the Revolutionary war, fashion was heavily influenced by France. Women war high head dresses, hoop, high-heeled shoes, and lavish skirts (8). After our success of the Revolutionary War, women’s fashion changed to become more simplistic. Women wore lower coiffures, low-heeled shoes, and less voluminous dresses made of thin materials (8). Men’s fashion didn’t change as dramatically as women’s fashion; however, wigs and color vanished from their dress (8). The next dramatic change that occurred in fashion happened after World War I ended (1920-1950). With the euphoria of defeating the Triple Alliance came a time of looser fitting clothing and receding hems lines (Fashion Timeline 2). During this period in history, the Great Depression emerged causing fashion to adapt to economic times by becoming more efficient. Zippers were created to substitute for hook-eye closures due to zippers …show more content…
For instance, the fashion of the 60s reflected a decade of cultural optimism. Youth during this time were discontent with the rules and the conservative society ruling them. During this ear, the Civil Rights Movement began as well as women movements, the free school movement, environmentalist movements, and sexual revolution. People in the late 60s became more open-minded about sex and the youth could create their own identity separate from their parents. The youth wanted to make changes to society using fashion. Clothing had more color combinations than ever before as well as different styles. Designer Mary Quant invented the mini-skirt during this time; this was a drastic change compared to the longer style dresses and skirts from the 1950s (Monet 3). Men had let their hair grow long and afros became the hairstyle of choice for African Americans. This was much different than the neat hairstyle that was widely accepted by the older generations. Clothing materials were influenced by the space race that was occurring between Russia and the U.S. during this time. Fashion designers start to utilize metal discs, plastic wires, and leather. These drastic changes mirrored the freedom and goals of the youth to change conservative views. In the 1980s, the Decade of Excess, fashion reflected the new technology, music, and movies
Beginning from the Revolutionary period (1775-1800) of our history, fashion became more restrained due to the lack of commerce with England (The Revolution 5). Clothing during this time became less colorful and vibrant since our country lacked the imported materials it once had from England (5). Before the Revolutionary war, fashion was heavily influenced by France. Women war high head dresses, hoop, high-heeled shoes, and lavish skirts (8). After our success of the Revolutionary War, women’s fashion changed to become more simplistic. Women wore lower coiffures, low-heeled shoes, and less voluminous dresses made of thin materials (8). Men’s fashion didn’t change as dramatically as women’s fashion; however, wigs and color vanished from their dress (8). The next dramatic change that occurred in fashion happened after World War I ended (1920-1950). With the euphoria of defeating the Triple Alliance came a time of looser fitting clothing and receding hems lines (Fashion Timeline 2). During this period in history, the Great Depression emerged causing fashion to adapt to economic times by becoming more efficient. Zippers were created to substitute for hook-eye closures due to zippers …show more content…
For instance, the fashion of the 60s reflected a decade of cultural optimism. Youth during this time were discontent with the rules and the conservative society ruling them. During this ear, the Civil Rights Movement began as well as women movements, the free school movement, environmentalist movements, and sexual revolution. People in the late 60s became more open-minded about sex and the youth could create their own identity separate from their parents. The youth wanted to make changes to society using fashion. Clothing had more color combinations than ever before as well as different styles. Designer Mary Quant invented the mini-skirt during this time; this was a drastic change compared to the longer style dresses and skirts from the 1950s (Monet 3). Men had let their hair grow long and afros became the hairstyle of choice for African Americans. This was much different than the neat hairstyle that was widely accepted by the older generations. Clothing materials were influenced by the space race that was occurring between Russia and the U.S. during this time. Fashion designers start to utilize metal discs, plastic wires, and leather. These drastic changes mirrored the freedom and goals of the youth to change conservative views. In the 1980s, the Decade of Excess, fashion reflected the new technology, music, and movies