World-Changers: 9 Defining sartorial trends that changed fashion

Sharon Salim

17 Feb 2016

mis à jour le 23 February 2016 à 08:44

1/9
Granny Clothes (2015)
Remember the bra-burning movement? While our mothers were powering through with shoulder pads, we coloured our hair grey, wore cocoon coats and frilly socks with block heels.
2/9
Hipster Outfit (2006)
The widely accepted definition of a hipster is someone who hates the mainstream, and prefers indie efforts ranging from bands to films. They are usually design students aiming for an arts degree.
3/9
London Punk Style (1970s)
The punk movement involves ripped clothes, safety pins holding tattered shirts togther and mile-high mohawks. Depicting social unrest, the young ones voiced their discontent and punks hit the stores while tearing up their sleeves and fraying pants.
4/9
Suits (1980s)
The symbolic power suit was a way to show women’s power in the office, and their anger towards gender inequality. Women were suiting up in formal businesswear to prove the society that they could handle resposibility and success like men can.
5/9
Mini skirts (1960s)
Before the 1960s, young women were expected to follow their mothers in dressing up in long skirts and ankle-length dresses. It was a symbol that women wanted to please their husbands in it. The style changed after a decade where the mini became an icon of young women who dressed up for themselves. ‘The Single Girl’ movement speaks of independent women, not relying on men to get things done.
6/9
Leather Jackets (1900s)
In the 1900s, aviator pilots and other military workers wore leather jackets to appear authoritative, and as protection from the harsh working environment. Now, we are mostly inspired by John Travolta's greasy look and as time went on, the iconic piece has been decorated with zipper and fancy buttons - in trendy olive green shades.
7/9
Flappers Clothing (1920s)
A decade prior to the 1920s, women were still widely perceived as obedient, submissive and pious creatures. A 20s girl would have wanted to rebel against the idea of suffocating Victorian gender roles and break free from the suffrage. Flappers were arguably the best way to reflect the youth rebellion in America then.
8/9
Little Black Dress (1920s)
Prior to 1920s, black dresses were worn in times of mourning only. The first little black dress appeared on the cover of Vogue in 1926 - a drop-waist, long-sleeved dress accented with pearls made by Coco Chanel, and we've never looked back.
9/9
High Heels (1950s)
Do you know that wealthy men used to wear high heels as a symbol of high social status? It wasn’t until Catherine de Medici who in the 16^th century wore high heels to match up her might to the men, that women started wearing heels to make up for their height. The real revolution can be credited to Roger-Henri Vivier with his 50s creation of the stilettos.

When the fashion world is not just about looking good.

If you dress up for work based on your mood, then you will get this one. Fashion trends are sometimes used as a social dialogue and help to change the world, hopefully for the better.

Over the years, trends change to show the changing climate of a significant decade and point to a moment in history that shifted the generation’s ideals, mindset and dressing.

From power suits to frilly socks, check out the gallery for 9 trends that have helped previous generations find their identity and became a tool in inspiring what we wear today.

Sharon Salim

Photos: Getty Images

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World-Changers: 9 Defining sartorial trends that changed fashion

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