As a sociological art form, fashion has been integral to American culture and society. Using the human body as its canvas, fashion has altered itself to fit with the people and standards of the time. In a contemporary sense, it has become a way to express one’s personality, culture, and beliefs. We dress the way we want because we have the ability to do so; it all depends on the occasion, or season, or just the way we are feeling. However, this independence has not come about on its own accord. Fashion’s trends have modeled the social trends acting as a way to express the state of our nation. In particular, fashion has been especially important in regards to women’s role in society. Clothing became a way for women to exhibit their advances
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The Rational Dress Society was founded in 1881 with the intention of promoting modest clothing. They opposed fashion that “deforms the figure, impedes the movements of the body, or in any way tends to injure the health.” This was the first fashion forward organization and was a direct result from the Industrial Revolution. It created a base for reform in women’s clothing and status by going “against the grain of contemporary women’s fashion [and] attacking tight lacing.” This feat had never been attempted before and was a direct protest against the societal norms and patriarchal system kept in place since the birth of the nation. Society was changing with fashion and industrialization led to many doors being opened. Textile jobs opened for women and many young, single women left their homes for work. They could now support their lives through their own work and did not need to rely on a husband or family to provide for them. This quasi-independent state was unprecedented and gave women more independence than ever before. This movement for more practical clothing coupled with the growing economy became the catalyst for a fashion …show more content…
After WWI, this generation of young women defied the traditions fashion, and created a whole new brand of fashion. Flappers were clad in straight, loose-fitting dresses and skirts that dropped just below the knee. Lingerie, early forms of bras (Symington side lacer), and improved corsets accompanied the individual, while also striking down cultural standards. This new appearance was the manifestation of the change in the role and lifestyle of women made visible through apparel. This development was seen in the attitudes of the time and was dubbed “flapperism.” It was described as a “stage of development… the halfway point between callow immaturity and competent adulthood.” Women in the 1920’s were caught in this awkward stage of development in which they did not yet have a strong identity, but were not just obedient, spineless wives. This persona of “flapperism” can be found in the fictional character of Daisy in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Introduced in the first chapter, Fitzgerald describes her as “[having] done gay, exciting things just a while since and there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour.” Daisy’s personality is shown to be playful and free-spirited, adjectives not typically used to describe women before this time. Confidence radiates from her and independent even though she is married. Her infidelity to her husband Tom is a
The Rational Dress Society was founded in 1881 with the intention of promoting modest clothing. They opposed fashion that “deforms the figure, impedes the movements of the body, or in any way tends to injure the health.” This was the first fashion forward organization and was a direct result from the Industrial Revolution. It created a base for reform in women’s clothing and status by going “against the grain of contemporary women’s fashion [and] attacking tight lacing.” This feat had never been attempted before and was a direct protest against the societal norms and patriarchal system kept in place since the birth of the nation. Society was changing with fashion and industrialization led to many doors being opened. Textile jobs opened for women and many young, single women left their homes for work. They could now support their lives through their own work and did not need to rely on a husband or family to provide for them. This quasi-independent state was unprecedented and gave women more independence than ever before. This movement for more practical clothing coupled with the growing economy became the catalyst for a fashion …show more content…
After WWI, this generation of young women defied the traditions fashion, and created a whole new brand of fashion. Flappers were clad in straight, loose-fitting dresses and skirts that dropped just below the knee. Lingerie, early forms of bras (Symington side lacer), and improved corsets accompanied the individual, while also striking down cultural standards. This new appearance was the manifestation of the change in the role and lifestyle of women made visible through apparel. This development was seen in the attitudes of the time and was dubbed “flapperism.” It was described as a “stage of development… the halfway point between callow immaturity and competent adulthood.” Women in the 1920’s were caught in this awkward stage of development in which they did not yet have a strong identity, but were not just obedient, spineless wives. This persona of “flapperism” can be found in the fictional character of Daisy in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Introduced in the first chapter, Fitzgerald describes her as “[having] done gay, exciting things just a while since and there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour.” Daisy’s personality is shown to be playful and free-spirited, adjectives not typically used to describe women before this time. Confidence radiates from her and independent even though she is married. Her infidelity to her husband Tom is a