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Women's fashion trends from the past 100 years

Mode is so much more than a "cute outfit"—it's a major reflection of the times and a large office of American history. Since the inception of the fashion industry, womenswear trends have always been driven by culture, events, popular music, and celebrity influence. In the last 100 years lone, in that location have been some big changes in women's fashion.

At the beginning of the 20th century, styles were proper and demure, with high-necked dresses and hemlines that brushed the floor serving as the look of choice. By 1920, though, women began to feel empowered and experiment with short flapper dresses and modern, adolescent haircuts. Over the next century, manner connected to evolve: State of war-rationed fabrics and gloves disappeared in one case women joined the workforce—get-go in banality suits, then somewhen in power suits. The disco era brought sensual silhouettes and vibrant colors and paved the way for popular princesses like Britney Spears, who made the ingather superlative a office of everyday street fashion.

From article of clothing to accessories, undergarments to shoes and even haircuts, cultural shifts, and societal movements over the past century have brought American women on a wild fashion ride. Some looks, like the feminine A-line silhouette and cool leather jacket, are quite perennial; other unique fads (JNCO jeans and matching velour tracksuits, anyone?) have stayed in the past. There are even some trends, like capri pants and pleated skirts, that had a moment early on and came dorsum again decades afterwards. Currently, chunky dad sneakers are a thing, although the shelf life of this fad is nevertheless to be determined.

In commemoration of American mode, Stacker compiled a list of 50 women's style trends from the past 100 years that left their marks on history. We've gathered our looks and information from other reputable fashion-oriented sources and blogs.

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Edwardian dresses

At the beginning of the century, women'southward manner was very romantic and feminine, and, virtually importantly, modest. Remember garden political party-chic gowns designed with puffy sleeves and courtly silhouettes, in fabrics such equally cotton, chiffon, and lace. Hemlines covered the ankle and stiff, high-boned collars the neck. A parasol accompaniment completed the look.

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Flapper dresses

Afterward Globe War I, female person fashion swung in the opposite management. Women felt empowered as they gained the right to vote. Additionally, jazz music and prohibition were cultural milestones in the 1920s. During this shift, women broke out of the mold in a sartorial fashion with the flapper dress—a driblet-waisted shift clothes with decadently beaded fringe. Hemlines rose to the ankle and and then in a higher place it, and women sported sleek short hairstyles.

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One-piece lingerie

By the same progressive token, the '20s marked the decade when women began freeing themselves of restrictive corsets. With the newly celebrated boyish figure (and flatter chest) en vogue, one-piece lingerie like silky chemises, sparse camisoles, and panties became the undergarments of choice, since they fit very comfortably under flapper dresses.

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Cloche hats

Fashion over function: The cloche hat was a wardrobe staple throughout the 1920s. It featured a distinctive round superlative and a low skirt that made it difficult for most women to run across without tilting their heads back. That said, the lid's accentuating decorative flower or bow made upwards for it past providing feminine flair.

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Indomitable pantsuit

Although female pantsuits were still uncommon in the '30s, a few daring women embraced the look of pants in a brash endeavour at abolishing gender roles. Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli frequently dressed actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn in chic pantsuits. Dietrich even wore pants onscreen in the Oscar-winning flick "Morocco," proving a woman can indeed wear the pants if she wants to.

[Pictured: Marlene Dietrich wearing a signature expect in 1932.]

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Broad-leg pants and trousers

Although the U.Due south. was plagued by the Great Depression during the 1930s, it was still a noteworthy time for fashion. Standing the trouser trends that appeared earlier in the decade, Actress Katharine Hepburn showed women everywhere how to infringe style from the boys, pairing wide-leg trousers with a chic blazer and oxfords.

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Draped scarves

While smaller scarves tamed hair and larger ones added warmth effectually the chest, draped scarves, fastened with scarf buckles and clips or tied in a knot, complimented apparel past adding a popular of color to otherwise bland outfits. Spacial and patterned designs, particularly polka dots, were popular during the '30s. Later on, the 1940s saw visual artists similar married couple Zika and Lida Ascher turning out patterned scarves, which they used as a medium for their work.

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Fur accessories

Suitable for both daytime and evening diplomacy, fashionable fur was a status garment to own and wear in the 1930s. In the 19th century, fur was a necessity for men and women who lived in colder climates. By the mid-20th century, information technology was almost exclusively worn past women. One time fur coats and stoles were seen as high way items of luxury, the price of fur began to rise.

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Mary Jane shoes

A staple in every fiddling girl's wardrobe, Mary Jane shoes were built-in in 1902, modeled later a Buster Brown comic volume character of the aforementioned name. Since then, the flat shoe with a modest leather strip has been shaped into heels, paired with little white socks, and bedazzled in sequins. Mary Janes were a favorite of '60s supermodel model Twiggy and are often worn by contemporary fashionistas, proving that Mary Janes are one mode that has stood the exam of fourth dimension.

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Evening gown

Course-fitting, floor-length dresses inspired by Hollywood glamour gave everyday women in the '30s a taste of elegance. Speaking of Tinsel Town, red rug events, including the Academy Awards, inspired some of the most notable evening gown silhouettes of all time, many of which are still popular today. The biggest divergence between the original dresses and today's versions is that you tin now rent gowns through companies like Hire the Rail, giving any adult female the opportunity to look like a star.

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Boiler suits

The U.S. officially entered WWII in 1941. With thousands of men drafted into the war, women began entering the workforce—oft taking on industrial factory jobs that were previously held by men. These physically demanding jobs called for women to wear loose-fitting boiler suits made of denim or heavy canvas that buttoned down the front. Rosie the Riveter posing in a denim boiler suit quickly became an iconic image of the time.

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Ruffled everything

The popular ruffles and frills fad took inspiration from 15th-century military regalia, which featured ruffled collars and sleeves. By the cease of the 19th century, this romanticized feature was strictly for females. The 1950s saw an end to wartime fabric rationing, and designers celebrated by adding voluminous layers to both daily and evening wear designs. By the end of the 20th century, the ruffled blouse fabricated tv history when a "Seinfeld" episode centered around ane particularly puffy shirt.

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Pleated knee joint-length skirts

Circa 1944, any rationing restrictions that were put on fabrics during the war were finally lifted; with that, playful design elements like pleats came back onto fashion, giving women a little more pep in their footstep. Accommodating pleats and knife pleats were common in skirts, every bit were bright colors, which signaled a cultural celebration of the war'due south cease.

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A-line silhouette

In 1947, fashion mogul Christian Dior debuted his "New Expect" that would speedily accept the world by storm. The feminine A-line silhouette boasted a full, flowy skirt and an accentuated waistline that was designed to highlight a woman's hourglass figure—a distinct contrast to the masculine looks from pre-WWII.

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The chimera hem

Called a afar relative of the harem pants, the bubble hem was born in 1949 and created a whole new blazon of tailoring. By the '50s, the bubble hem turned into the bubble wearing apparel and bubble skirt, which tapered in at the waist and flared at the lesser. The await, popularized by designers Pierre Cardin and Hubert de Givenchy in the mid-19th century, hitting the runways again in 2019, specifically seen in the 2020 Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2020 collection.

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Leather and suede gloves

Gloves were another item of clothing that had been rationed during the war. Come 1950, gloves experienced a renaissance as a popular and ultra-femme accompaniment (with, of course, a matching bag and hat). For daytime appearances, many women stepped out wearing wrist-length gloves in neutral hues.

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Pearl jewelry

In the 1950s, the easy elegance of pearl jewelry became synonymous with post-war domesticity. With the men back from war, women were expected to get back to keeping house and looking well-kempt while doing so. Pearl stud earrings and necklace strands added a touch of chicness to whatsoever outfit—from afternoon frocks to little blackness dresses. Grace Kelly, a big pearl-wearer, fabricated the look iconic.

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Swing skirts

Is any item of clothing more quintessentially 1950s than a poodle skirt? Circumvolve skirts could make a statement by way of brilliant colors, polka dots, and other novelty prints. To complete the look, all you needed was a cropped cardigan, Buddy Holly playing on the jukebox, and a chocolate malt in hand.

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Peter Pan collars

This popular look from the 1950s garnered its proper name from the costume designs of the original "Peter and Wendy" theatre product in New York Urban center. The stylish collar features rounded corners and is designed to lay apartment against the neckline; it was added to many types of garments over the years, including big, swinging dresses.

[Pictured: Audrey Hepburn abreast her hubby Mel Ferrer.]

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Schoolgirl-inspired clothes

Style historian Rebecca Tuite has detailed how the uniformed expect of schoolgirl-inspired clothes began in the '50s with Peter Pan-collared blouses and short, pleated-plaid skirts. While pop-star Britney Spears may be the most pop celebrity clad in schoolgirl-inspired clothes, other current-24-hour interval starlets famous for sporting the look include Megan Fox and Kate Upton.

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Printed wrap wearing apparel

Unlike the swing, glaze, or shirt dresses of the '50s, the mid-century printed wrap was more than modern, fabricated of colorful patterns that swathed the body. Polka dots, florals, checks, and stripes, and even more far-out themes like science and western patterns, were popular at the time. The populary of the wrap dress endures today, thanks to the fashion's flattering sihoullette on women of all shapes and sizes.

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The bikini

Pinup girl Jayne Mansfield dared to bare in bikinis—and many regular women followed adjust, only in a slightly more modest fashion. 2-piece bathing suits made a sexy splash in the '50s with loftier-waisted bottoms, skirts, and playful patterns.

[Pictured: Marilyn Monroe photographed on the California coast in 1950.]

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Pillbox hat

In the early on 1960s, Get-go Lady Jacqueline Kennedy became a top style idol for women. She was the epitome of sophisticated elegance with outfits that always looked flawless from caput-to-toe—this included her signature pillbox lid, which quickly made its manner into many women's everyday looks.

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Babydoll dresses

The second wave of feminism during the 1960s empowered women to continue expressing themselves, both ideologically and stylishly. Hemlines got shorter and colors got brighter with the babydoll dress—a go-to look of liberation for ladies. This bold, moderately shapeless silhouette was a favorite of supermodel Twiggy and was revived in the '90s past grunge rockers similar Courtney Love.

[Pictured: British fashion model and '60's icon, Twiggy (Lesley Hornby) wearing a checked babe doll style mini-dress in 1967.]

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Mini skirts

The miniskirt was said to be born in 1964 in designer Mary Quant's London boutique, Bazaar. Quant was inspired by street fashion, which led her to create a micro-skirt with a hemline that hitting well above the knee. The way (and length) was considered daring at the time but took off nonetheless.

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Trapeze silhouettes

The '60s waistless trapeze silhouette was frequently seen on Audrey Hepburn. The London-inspired fashion, which dates back to Louis XV, came to life when Yves Saint Laurent began designing dresses to flare out from a fitted shoulder line. Every bit the antithesis to Christian Dior's A-line, which cinched the waist and puffed at the bottom, Saint Laurent'due south silhouette still managed to give women a sexy entreatment.

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Peacoats

By the '60s, sailors were not the only ones wearing peacoats, a short, double-breasted coat fabricated of heavy wool. Rather than protecting sailors from a harsh ocean climate, beatniks began sporting the style during the hippie historic period. The oversized neckband was often seen on actors Robert Redford and James Dean at the time.

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Suede fringe vests

Hippie subculture made its mark during the tardily 1960s. This manner exuded a very laid back maverick vibe and pulled inspiration from cultures and countries all over the world, including Bharat, Bali, Morocco, and Africa. Cadet-skin vests with fringe were very popular pieces by the end of the decade.

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1970s Psychedelic prints

Burgeoning between 1966 to 1972, psychedelic prints became the staple wear pattern for the peace movement. The bold, flower-power colors mixed together were frequently worn by hippies to symbolically reflect an open, LSD-fueled state-of-mind. Nowadays, Bohemian-style way is frequently found at musical festivals.

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1970s Daisy Dukes

The short, tight, denim cut-offs inspired by "The Dukes of Hazzard" idiot box grapheme of the same name, played by Catherine Bach, are nonetheless hot today. Since the Southern belle started the manner craze, celebs like extra Jessica Simpson—who played Daisy Knuckles in the 2005 flick remake—have kept information technology live. The fashion statement even inspired the 1993 song "Dazzey Duks," a one-hit-wonder by rapper Duice.

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Platform heels

Platform heels were synonymous with the decade of disco. As outfits got bolder, brighter, and more expressive in the 1970s, women's loftier heels and platforms rose to new heights. Wood, cork, and synthetic materials were common.

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Bell bottoms

Flared pants—be it casual denim or splashy patterns for the disco—were a big await in the late '60s and early on '70s. Interestingly enough, bell bottoms were originally worn by sailors during the War of 1812, before they resurfaced during the '70s every bit a tendency for women.

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Leather jackets

The vibrant colors and florals of disco began to fade abroad in the 1980s when metal music came in with a bang. Fashion likewise swayed towards the reverse end of the spectrum, with blackness leather jackets and looser fits rise in popularity—a la Madonna in her "Papa Don't Preach" music video.

[Pictured: Madonna wearing a leather jacket in 1986.]

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1980s pleather

Genuine fake leather, aka pleather, gained fame in the '80s when pop civilization icons like Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy wore the existent garb from head to toe. Dissimilar celebrities who could beget actual animal skin clothing, fashionistas at the time settled for the fake stuff, more often than not in the form of mini-skirts and shorts. The one time-popular trend is new again, making a improvement on the 2019 catwalk.

[Pictured: Popular singer Sheena Easton performing in 1982.]

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Shoulder pads

A new wave of women began entering the workforce en masse in the '80s, which kickstarted the power dressing movement. Blazers, suits, and even dresses boasted shoulder pads to create a structured menswear-inspired wait for women in the function.

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Lace gloves

Most popular on the easily of Madonna fans, lace gloves were an '80s staple along with shoulder pads and big pilus. This look became symbolic of a certain kind of cool daughter at the time.

[Pictured: English actress Bonnie Langford in 1984.]

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Leggings every bit pants

Leggings take come in and out of the way many times, only the expect actually peaked during the '80s, also known every bit the Jane Fonda workout era. These spandex bottoms came in any and all colors (including neons) and could exist worn with T-shirts, leotards, and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts.

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All-out plaid

Women of the early 1990s were mad for plaid—from grungy flannel shirts to preppy skirt-and-blazer ensembles a la Cher from "Clueless" (1995). Designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Marc Jacobs helped make this cross-hatched pattern mainstream.

[Pictured: Kate Moss models a shirtdress by Victor Alfaro in 1996.]

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1990s Acrid-washed jeans

Though first seen in the '60s, acid-washed jeans became most popular after Estimate released the first designer pair of bleach-splattered pants in 1981. A decade later, heavy metallic band members and Hollywood starlets were clad in acid-washed jeans, which fabricated a 2019 comeback, with Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid seen sporting a pair.

[Pictured: Christina Aguilera attends a moving-picture show premiere in 2002.]

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Abdomen shirts

Belly-baring babes of the 1990s included Gwen Stefani, the Spice Girls, and Christina Aguilera. With pop music at its tiptop, this was the starting time time crop tops experienced a major moment in fashion, though come 2018, the exposed midriff was dorsum in total force.

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1990s V-hip swimsuit

Above the hip, or Five-hip, swimsuits popular in the '90s are yet riding the mode moving ridge, with the Zoe Written report boasting a comeback in 2017. The cut of the swimsuit, known for accentuating the legs and cinching the waist, is pop with models Chrissy Teigen and Bella Hadid. Still, '80s model/actress Morgan Fairchild may be the most famous V-hip swimsuit model to date.

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JNCO jeans

During the late '90s, women and men akin rocked this unique extra-wide pants trend, mainly if they were looking to achieve that punk rock aesthetic. Bonus points if y'all added a wallet chain and your pant leg circumference was broad plenty to totally cover your skate sneakers.

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Pedal pusher pants

A shut cousin of capris, these calf-length pants (too called "clam diggers") first became pop in the 1950s just showed up over again in many immature women's closets circa 2000. They were usually worn tight and cuffed beneath the knee joint.

[Pictured: Jennifer Lopez waves at the close of her mode show in 2005.]

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Tracksuits in every color

Matching velour and terry cloth tracksuits were a phenomenon throughout the late '90s and the '00s, thank you to big celebs like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and J.Lo. To achieve the total look, i needed the zero-up tiptop that showed midriff, the matching drawstring bottoms, and to accessorize with an oversized bag and trucker hat.

[Pictured: Paris Hilton (Fifty) waves every bit she walks the airport in 2008.]

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2000s trucker hats

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2010s Tiny sunglasses

Though pop in 2010, the tiny sunglass trend featured on the rim of John Lennon's olfactory organ in the '60s hasn't necessarily stood the test of time, with comedian Mindy Kaling and extra Anne Hathaway frowning on contemporary interpretations. However, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Rihanna see the matter differently—all accept been seen in tiny sunglasses on multiple occasions.

[Pictured: Rihanna walks the ruby carpet in Cannes in 2017.]

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2010s Booties (ankle boots)

The Guardian predicted this 2010 fashion trend a year before, specifically calling out the many shapes and sizes it would come in. As reported, 2010 was the twelvemonth of the spiked-heel, open-toed booties, which originate from the 1800s. A-listers Emma Rock and Jennifer Lawerence sport the short boots alongside Rihanna and Hailey Baldwin, aka, Mrs. Beiber.

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Athleisure for everyday

Athleisure refers to practise clothing that can also transcend into social activities like brunch, shopping, and school. Athleisure is where comfort meets style and was one of 2018'due south biggest fashion movements. Celebrities, bloggers, and regular women akin all jumped on board, often choosing to clothing joggers and leggings over denim.

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Chunky sneakers

2019 marks the twelvemonth that ugly dad sneakers became a legitimate manner tendency. Designer Balenciaga spearheaded the lewk on the runway at 2018 Spring/Summer Paris Fashion Calendar week. Presently enough, A-listers like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner were seen pairing their chunky statement sneaks with blazers, trench coats, jeans, silk slips, you lot name it.

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2020 oversized victorian sleeves

The TrendSpotter saw this one coming, calling out oversized Victorian sleeves as the next big thing at the Spring/Summer 2020 Mode Week. Similar to the '80s puff sleeve, the oversized Victorian was all the roar at this yr's Golden Globes, with anybody from Beyonce to Dakota Fanning wearing the style well.

[Pictured: Dakota Fanning attends the Golden World Awards in January 2020.]

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