The Mid 20th Century Women’s Clothes - A Very Brief Review
Many radical changes in design and style have occurred over the last 100 years. Costs are lower, many new materials are available and style has changed a lot. Modern womens labels such as G Star womens clothes could hardly be imagined in 1902.
The period around 1900 was a time when showing the legs was unacceptable.
The Hobbel Skirt made its appearance in 1910. When looking at the Hobble Skirt it is easy to see why it had that name - it was very difficult to walk in.
A milestone occurred in 1913 when Mary Crosby created a support for breasts. This was made from two handkerchiefs laced with ribbon. It was the world’s first bra.
Liptick in tubes arrived in 1915.
The length of womens’ knickers shortened during the 1920s, making their way steadily from below to above the knee.
The 1920s also saw a style change from a feminine look to a more boyish styles during the mid-20s. In 1924 a alternative for leather, vinyl, was launched.
Womens’ styles changed again in the 1930s when women became slightly more conservative and feminine.
During the 1930s that Wallace Carothers invented nylon. This {brought new design ideas|enabled a whole range of new clothing ideas. Nylon was invented in the mid-1930, making fashions more availablebringing new design ideas.
During the Second World War textile was rationed, like everything else, and so the skirts were necessarily shorter. The rationing of clothing continued until 1949 (food was rationed in the UK right up until 1954).
The design of womens’ clothing continued during the second half of the 1940s. For example in 1946 the bikini was invented. The hour glass figure also arrived with the Christian Dior New Look in 1947.
Meanwhile the bikini was invented in 1946. In 1947 the ‘New Look’ from Christian Dior was released bringing long skirts and narrow waists, and giving us the ‘hour glass’ figure. The second half of the 1940s was a time of fashion invention.
A more womanly design was in full swing in the 1950s rock and roll years, with more full skirts being worn, perfect for doing the twist.
The 1960s were a mix of many styles but Mary Quant’s mini skirt is a particular icon.
