At a certain point, the fashion industry will and already has depleted its inventory of brand new creations. That’s not to say that it doesn’t continue to surprise and interest us, but beginning in the 20th century, fashion has begun a series of recycling.
In the beginning of the 20th century, each decade marked a specific “look” and body shape, both of which were impacted by current events and ideals. Styles were shaped by culture and what was going on in the world at that time. For example, the early 1900s were a time of modesty, prudence, and a rigid value system. Reflectively, early 20th century clothing was modest and conservative. Post World War I, the “Roaring Twenties” brought about new trends – looser morals yielded higher hemlines. A free flow of alcohol and new carefree attitude allowed women to “lighten up” with fashion. But when economic hardship and war struck in the next few decades, those carefree clothes were quickly reconsidered. Modesty was reintroduced and clothes became structured and rigid, a definite reflection of Americans’ concern and anxiety. After war had passed, life was more carefree; but Americans wanted to return to the previous notions of wholesomeness, which were apparent in the 50s style of clothes, especially for women. Full skirts and cinched waists emphasized a woman’s hips and broadcasted their femininity and fertility. The 1960s were a time of great upheaval and the trends of fashion directly mirror that. The changes in clothing styles in the 60s are the most extreme of any other decade, just as social changes were also the most extreme. Both in society and in culture, people were gaining new identities, both varied and courageous. The cavalier use of drugs prompted a need for new comfortable, “laid-back” clothing styles. In addition, a sexual revolution allowed women to embrace their sexuality through fashion, often abandoning their bras and wearing much more revealing clothes than their mothers or grandmothers could have ever imagined. The most recent decades have basically been a culmination of all these evolutions. Trends are continually recycling and now there is so much variety in fashion that it’s hard to categorize it in the same ways it used to be.
Today on the runways, we see plenty of previously used trends. For example this Spring, some fashion houses opted for a reflection of the conservative 50s, recreating Christian Dior’s famous 1947 “New Look.” Small waists and wide skirts were seen at Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, and of course at Raf Simons’ Dior. While Saint Laurent, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chloe, and Emilio Pucci modified a 70s look with fringe, suede, and platforms; and the athletic looks of the 80s were recreated Alexander Wang, Hugo Boss, and Bottega Veneta.
Because we are now aware of the many trends introduced in the 20th century, it is impossible to limit styles to one decade in the way we used to. In a way, our inability to limit ourselves to one overall fashion theme per era/decade reflects the general integration of cultures and unique individuality within society. So…what’s going to be the next batch of recycled fashion?!
fashionthropology 