Fashion Timeline

  • Hoop Skirt

    Hoop Skirt

    Hoop skirts have reached their largest size in the 1750s. These hoops made it difficult to sit and were very restrictive.
  • Smaller Petticoat

    Smaller Petticoat

    During the 1780s, hoop skirts went away and were replaced by a thinner silhouette. Pads were worn beneath the skirt, however, to help fill out the back of the dress.
  • Empire Waistline

    Empire Waistline

    The early 1800s saw the introduction of the empire waistline as women started to prefer the simple silhouette.
  • Two Piece Dresses

    Two Piece Dresses

    The 1850s saw the introduction of the two piece dress, a skirt with a separate bodice. It was common to have one skirt that matched two separate bodices, one for day and one for evening.
  • Extensive Decoration

    Extensive Decoration

    During the late 1800s, women's dresses began to be heavily adorned with ribbons, bows, lace and other decoration. This was seen in both the evening wear and daytime wear.
  • Dropped Waistline

    Dropped Waistline

    During the 1920s, it was common to see a dropped waistline. Dresses went from having the waistline as high as the bust down to the hip level. This androgynous silhouette is in direct contrast to the hyper-feminine silhouette of the 1800s.
  • Designer: Louise Melenot

    Designer: Louise Melenot

    1887-1950 Known for uneven hemlines and cowl drapery
  • Designer: Pierre Balmain

    Designer: Pierre Balmain

    (1914-1982) Known for daytime classics and extravagant evening gowns
  • Pants!!!

    Pants!!!

    Although seen earlier in history, it wasn't until the 1960s and 70s that women consistently wore pants for activities other than sports or leisure. By this time, pants were both popular and appropriate outside the home and in the workplace.
  • Shoulder Pads

    Shoulder Pads

    As more women entered traditionally male-dominated areas of the workforce, fashionable work attire became a necessity for some in the 1980s. In an attempt to make professional menswear more feminine, shoulder pads became a popular.
  • Designer: Miuccia Prada

    Designer: Miuccia Prada

    (1950 - ) Known for clothes that are "supremely comfortable" and "coming to life on the body."
  • Designer: Alexander McQueen

    Designer: Alexander McQueen

    (1970 - 2010) Known for dark colors, thick fabrics, and use of tartan; inspired by the military, Latin America & traditional Japanese kimonos
  • Demin

    Demin

    The early 2000s saw denim worn from head to toe, including pants, skirts, dresses, shirts, jackets, and even hats.
  • Boho style

    Boho style

    The mid 2000s saw a trend influenced by the patterns and flowing fabrics of the 1960s called bohemian, or boho.
  • Designer: Alexander Wang

    Designer: Alexander Wang

    (1984 - ) Known for ready-to-wear looks that gave a "model off duty look." His outfits appear classy and chic and thrown together.