How has the art of design changed through fashion sice the 1900's?

This question will help to understand the importance and history behind the are of design and fashion. While reading an excerpt in our art book, The world of Art (pg. 384) it was interesting how the author talked about designers and how they can take and object or product and make it appealing. Since the 1900's fashion has changed tremendously, from clothing, shoes, jewelry and even hairstyles. According to an an article online named clothing styles in early 1900's, states that prior to the mid 1900's most clothing was custom made,hand sewed and tailored for individuals to meet their needs.As years past and different social aspects changed in the society many people styles of fashion changed also. The fashion industry was first introduced in Europe and America but today the design of fashion is very globalized.An American fashion company may have fabric that is from China but have it manufactured in Vietnam and then sent to Italy to be finished and shipped to the U.S to be sold.With the invention of the sewing machine and other material used to make clothing and accessories today, fashion has taken a major turn to meet every aspect of social change from young to old. What was once worn in the 1900's is no longer part of what we wear today. I would look at different sources such as fashion magazines and other internet sites and also a book titled Fashion and it's Social Agendas to show the change of fashion over time. I am sure I will find a wide variety of different aspects of fashion because everyone has a different taste in style, therefore I believe that i will find different answers to my question. I will find different pictures that will reflect the style of the 1900's versus the styles of today.


Literature review:

Diana Crane's book titled: Fashion and It's Social Agendas, help to understand how the social significance of clothing has been transformed to signify today's social class. Crane uses voices of college-aged and middle aged women who took part in a focus group that discussed the perception of female identity and sexuality in the fashion industry.

On a website titled 1920s fashion and music, explains how the end of World War I ,the growing economy and the urbanization of America were signals that the world was changing and people wanted to change along with the times. More Money and ideas were coming together and women wanted the ability to express their selves.

Aesthetics- which is a branch of philosophy that deal with the nature of beauty, art, taste and help create an appreciation of beauty. It is also more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori- emotional values, sometimes called judgements of sentiment and taste.

Fashion- a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, or accessories. Fashion refers to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person.

Looking up different definitions to the words aesthetics and fashion really didn't change the understanding of the subject matter. Both words explains the differences of style and taste that each individual in a society has.

I used the following pictures to show the fashion that once was to the fashion that is around today. As a ending clarification I will use more pictures and images to show the different styles that were around in the 1900s versus the more expressive styles we wear today.








During the 19th century, France and the United States was where social class lead the most significant aspect of one;s social identity. Diana Crane demonstrates how the social significance of clothing has transformed through out the years. The way people chooses their wardrobes are different from person to person. A persons lifestyle, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity are usually used to determine a person style of fashion. When looking at a person's lifestyle it is basically the way a person lives that determines their choice of clothing. Such as a rich person wearing more expensive fabrics and clothing thus a more middle-class to poor individuals may wear something more cheaper and affordable. A persons gender is simply easier to detect because men usually wear suits,ties, more jeans and tennis shoes while a woman may wear those items as well, you may find more woman wearing dresses, skirts and heels. Sexual orientation sometimes can be a little different especially when there is a gay or lesbian being looked at, clothes are usually swapped. Older people clothing usually be more conservative while the younger generation choice of attire tends to be a little more fashionable with different colors and styles. When looking at ethnicity African Americans may have a more urbanized choice of clothing while others may not. When people start changing with times it is usually first seen by what people wear. Crane states that today clothes worn at work signify social class, but leisure clothes convey meaning ranging from trite (silly) to political.
During the 1920's women were the first to change with the times converting to more of a liberal, outspoken, sexier style of clothing. The straight "dropped waist" 1920's dresses with the rising hemline, bold colors, and luxurious fabrics signaled a major shift in the way people looked at the role of fashion in the society.Women started wearing more skirts, bobbed hair close-fitted cloche hats and inexpensive designer jewelery. The change of clothing mostly occurred with women because they started feeling free and was learning how to make their own decisions also women were coming to part with their bodies.
Women were not the only ones changing with time but men to a part in the change also. Men were coming out of their everyday suits and started wearing more relax and casual clothing. I believe designers started making more relaxed clothing to suit the needs of people who did not want to deal with the hassle of going to a seamstress to have clothes altered.The media played a role into how people looked at fashion because people usually wear what they see others are wearing in a particular time period. As years went on more attitudes started changing and every particular person became their own individual with their own style. People usually wore what they felt like, if it was making a statement or just having their own taste in clothing.

Fashion is a big part of our society and no matter how bad the economy gets fashion will still be an important part of many people.

I chose to take picture and show different styles and taste of clothing threw the past years until now. By researching and reading the information on this topic, I have actually seen how what we wear now are kind of similar to the passed years just with a little more pizzazz.

If fashion had desires it would want everyone to have a little taste of style.


Women in the 80's


The more relax look without the tie!




These were the shoes!




These are the shoes today!