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1900-1909
Women’s fashion typically consisted of long dresses emphasizing a natural waist by wearing a corset and attaching a bustle in the back of the dress. Tops were blousy, and sleeves tended to be dramatic. Embellishments such as lace, or rhinestones, may have been featured on evening dresses. -
1910-1919
Dresses begin to soften into a more natural silhouette, with some designers foregoing the corset altogether in the later half of the decade. Skirt began to taper towards the hem and an empire waist was popular during this time. -
1920-1929
The age of the flapper begins with a dropped waist and hemlines that are starting to rise a little higher. Evening attire consisted of a lot of embellishment such as beading or sequins. -
1930-1939
Hemlines travelled back to ankle length and waistlines moved back to the natural waist for women. The hemline of dresses would flare out at the bottom to create a slender feminine silhouette. -
1940-1949
Most styles consisted of shoulder pads, a natural waist, and a hemline that cut right above the knee. Tailored jackets and pleated skirts became in style in the late 1940s. -
1950-1959
The natural waist and full skirt stayed in style during the first half of the 1950s. Toward the later half of the 1950s, dress and skirt styles became straighter and slimmer. -
1960-1969
Inspired by First Lady Jackie Kennedy was the skirt suit and coordinating accessories. On the other hand, mini skirts and mini dresses became in style, as well as bold, colorful patterns. Women also started wearing trousers or pants more in this decade. -
1970-1979
A wide range of styles are brought into this decade such as the prairie dress, disco nightclub wear, and the rise of athletic wear. -
1980-1989
Athletic clothes became even bigger in this decade thanks to Jane Fonda’s exercise video and the release of Flashdance. As more women joined the workforce, power dressing became in style which included blazers with padded shoulders and pant or skirt suiting. -
1990-1999
Fashion moves toward casual dressing with a minimalist approach. Biker shorts, leggings, and oversized sweatshirts continued to be in style. Mini skirts and straight leg high waisted jeans were also popular. Slip dresses were very in style as well.