From oppression to expression, women’s fashion continues to adapt and shift culturally throughout history since its creation originally seen as a restrictive form of fashion; corsets, dresses, hairstyles, and makeup have since been adapted by women as tools to shape themselves in a world full of oppression.
Different styles have been used throughout history as a way for women to express themselves. For example, skirts became shorter, practicality became a priority, more traditionally ‘masculine’ clothes were incorporated, and other styles from different decades and cultures were incorporated.
Many styles or types of clothing pieces originally seen as restrictive (corsets, dresses, shoes, hats) are now used in day-to-day life as a means of expression. Women’s fashion used to be a way for the world to suppress women, but is now being used as a tool of liberation by many.
In the era of the 20th century, clothing began to dissolve into simpler forms of clothing, from big fluffy dresses to simple tights and coats. After WWII, women’s figures were adapted back to a more feminine silhouette, with round shoulders and belted waists. Women started to mix and match their blouses with other wear, like skirts and pants, instead of sticking with the formal suit.
Tropical wear also started to become popular after the war, with more exposure to different cultures and migration, other cultural inspirations reached American women’s fashion.
Women who changed fashion
Different brand-name women like Coco Chanel, Donatella Versace, Miuccia Prada, Vivienne Westwood, and Kate Spade all helped shift women’s fashion tremendously through different designer handbags, brand pieces, and other statement pieces that soon became irreversible cultural moments.
Other women like Marilyn Monroe used their cultural significance to help influence women’s fashion. Monroe alone had a massive impact on women’s fashion, introducing the catwalk and an introduction to more plump fuller bodies, rather than slimmer ones. Monroe helped introduce more flashy dresses along with outfit paring and will forever remain one of the most influential women in history. Each of these women has helped influence women’s fashion for the better.
