Fashion is an ever-changing aesthetic expression in a certain time and context and at a certain point, particularly in clothing, fashion accessories, footwear, life, makeup, hairstyles, and body types. Fashion is basically a discipline of choosing and creating clothes that meet the present aesthetic requirements. The most common element of fashion is the combination of form and function. In the modern period, the emphasis has shifted to incorporate both the aesthetics and the functionality of fashion to produce a new, desirable form.
In nineteenth century, fashion was associated with the fashionable dress of elite people, such as the members of the aristocracy, who wore expensive clothing in refined haute couture boutiques. However, by the early twentieth century, the movement for fashion was prominent among working class youth, who wore simple clothing and experimented with fashionable fashions. The First World War marked the end of the old fashion trends and initiated a new fashion style called “masculinity.” Masculine men dressed in blue jeans, steel-toed shoes, and sporty T-shirts were all the rage in the clothing industry. This movement, which was supposed to be temporary, fizzled out after the war.
After the Second World War, fashion slowly took its place beside practicality in the nineteenth century. New materials and designs emerged to provide clothing with greater comfort, durability, and functionality. In addition, the work ethic of textile workers changed, making clothing more affordable and accessible. People also began to realize that their clothing was not so exclusive anymore, as they started to join clubs, classes, and competitions for sports, skills, and talents.
The third decade of the twentieth century witnessed yet another shift in the fashion world when high fashion boutiques and mass fashion clothing began to appear. These fashions represented the beginnings of what is known as “high fashion,” where upscale, expensive garments were worn by wealthy Westerners. Popular styles during this time period included dress shirts, suits, long coats, skinny ties, dresses, and gowns. Women would also dress in silk or other expensive fabrics, such as velvet.
After this period of time, cheap clothing began to dominate the market as fashions became cheaper. High fashion fashions also declined, with cheaper clothes replacing them. As fashions changed, so did the types of clothes available. Clothing for working class people, such as janitors and waitresses, emerged during the 1950s. Additionally, women, who previously wore simple dresses, wore dresses and skirts.
Finally, in the early 1960s, the fashion industry experienced a huge shift towards the younger generation, as many teenagers wore fashionably dull clothing. Most of this clothing was made from cheaper materials, which made them seem even cheaper. Moreover, many teenagers preferred clothing that did not look appropriate for office wear, as they lacked workplace clothes sense. As fashions changed again, teenagers began flocking to clothing that was different from what previous generations wore. These changes impacted the entire industry, as people began to shop for new clothes more than ever.