Saturday, February 19, 2011

A View Of Clothing Such As Women Clothing And Style

By Tami Oren


One thing that has always seemed to make a statement is clothing such as women clothing. Women have always been judged by the clothing they wear. Apparel speaks volumes such as their personality, their social class and even their income. That still remains true and the only change is in the designs worn.

In the 17th Century, the common woman only had a couple of different dresses they could wear. It was very rare to find a commoner with more than this due to their limited income. However nobility and the wives of merchants were much more likely to have a large number of changes so they were never seen in the same dress by others of the same stature.

During the 1700s muslin fabric was introduced along with plumes, large ruffles and heavy hats. Pantaloons and petticoats were worn in layers under the overdress and every well dressed woman was accessorized by hats with large dyed plumes outstretching from them. Many times the plumes were dyed to match the color of the overdress.

The low necklines, tightly fitting corsets and skirts long enough to trip over became a sore subject by the late 18th Century. However male designers won the fight to retain many of the revealing and shape forming features of the clothing. This made the subject even touchier in the following decades.

With the 19th Century came rebellion and the shortening of skirts. Women considered removing the tight corsets and bustles but designers won the battle. Women's apparel was still produced with many of the features that previously enhanced women's shape. Gradually skirts were shortened and bustles were removed in an attempt to allow women to show their natural curves.

As time passed, more masculine apparel began to become popular. Sewing machines began to be a common fixture in homes and women began designing and making their own clothes. These were much more practical than the ones they once had to endure.

The first decade of the 20th Century brought shorter skirts that revealed ladies ankles. Before the beginning of WWI, designers played with the lengths of skirts and began removing the corsets and bustles that had restricted women for centuries. They became more straight line with a short train.

The second decade of this century moved women's clothing into the new era with ladies pants and shorts that were considered extremely revealing. These were popular with the lady of the house who had servants to perform their daily chores.

By the time WWII began, women were more focused on practical clothing in drab colors. They saw material being rationed as well as fasteners such as buttons. When the war was over, designers began changing women's apparel drastically. They introduced miniskirts, halter tops, the bikini and short-shorts. The changes that clothing such as women clothing, saw over this one century would impact history.




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