Romans and Egyptians given priority appearance and taken a lot of effort on fashion and style. Wearing a particular type of clothing shown the status, wealth and occupation. During the 15th century, Europe became the centre of fashion. Later the fashion focus shifted to Italy and then to France.
The western world, fashion was important all throughout history. Britain and other European countries influenced world fashion – colonial rule brought their dressing styles to a global audience and made them popular all around the world.
- In vintage fashion history the main periods according to politics were Greek Period 500 – 146 BC .
- Roman period 500 BC – 323 AD. People in Rome dressed with a cultural bias – their clothing used to denote their social status, wealth, etc.
- Middle Ages 400 – 1200 AD. This is the period after the Romans exited England. During the reign of the Anglo-Saxons, the men and women used to wear a belted tunic. The women’s tunic was ankle length and over this, a shawl covered their head. The color of the clothes used to denote the financial status of the people.
- Early Gothic 1200 – 1350 AD ; Early Renaissance 1350 – 1425 AD ; Italian Renaissance1485 – 1520 AD; This is a very important period in fashion history, because of the high interest in fashion among the aristocrats. A lot of money was spent on clothes. It is said that Henry VII, King of England, spend a fortune on clothes and the aristocrats followed him in everything he did and spend.
- Tudor England 1500 – 1550 AD; Elizabethan England 1550 – 1603 AD; Cavalier Period 1620 – 1660 AD; The Restoration 1660 – 1700 AD ; The 18th Century 1715 – 1790 AD; Revolution & Empire 1790 – 1815 AD; Romantic1815 – 1848 AD; Victorian 1837 – 1901 AD ; La Belle Epoque 1890 – 1899 AD ; Elizabethan era ( 1558-1603), Restoration (1660 – 1700 AD) Victorian Period (1837–1901), all these periods have their own place in the evolution of fashion, But nothing ground-breaking happened in changing the clothing styles. Gowns for ladies and trousers and jackets for men – this was established as the dress code. Men’s fashion consisted of buckled shoes, waistcoat, a shirt, and an outer coat. Seamstresses and tailors designed clothes for the aristocrats and everyone else followed suit as much as they could afford.
- Edwardian 1900 – 1913 AD- world fashion was dictated by designers of the fashion capital of the world, Paris. Whatever Parisians donned the world followed and copied. London also influenced fashion to a lesser extent.
- Fashion in the 1910s –In the late 19th century there was a revolution in the fashion scene- a designer was born. Charles Frederick Worth (1826-95, Britain born but based in Paris) may be called the first fashion designer of the world.
- Fashion in the 1920s-This period between the two world wars is known as the golden era of French fashion. America started to be very prosperous. Women gained more independence and even got the right to vote and started to join the workforce more than ever.
- Fashion in the 1930-During this period Ankle length skirts, evening dresses all became popular once more. At the same time, the girls started to wear trousers. Sportswear was gaining popularity and women started to take an interest in sports and gained a more athletic figure.
- Fashion in the 1940s –After world war 11 everything changed in the fashion industry. A booming consumer society with the common man at the center stage emerged and changed the fashion scene in its entirety. Mass manufacturing gained popularity along with ready to wear clothes. Many fashion houses in Paris had closed during the world war and they never opened. The fashion scene shifted from Paris to London and New York. Handmade clothes became unaffordable to the now impoverished aristocracy, so fashion houses lost favor with them. Common man adopted factory made clothes.
- Fashion in the 1950s- The ready to wear mass market found favour and Brands like Marks and Spencer became great success stories. A combination of T-shirts, Jeans and leather jackets as worn by him became hugely popular.
- Fashion in the 1960s-During this period A-line dresses without much body definition started to be popular. Mini skirts came to be in 1965. Tight trousers and brightly coloured military jackets and patterned shirts were favourites of men.
- Fashion in the 1980s-Jeans became very popular. Women of the 80s wore tailored suits with wide padded shoulders to the office. Fitness was big during this period. Sports brands like Nike, Reebok, Adidas came up with athletic clothes and were very popular. Fashionable sportswear with tracksuits, training shoes, leggings and lycra / stretch body-hugging clothes became popular.
- Fashion in the 1990s-The main change in fashion during this time was that the glamourous dressy style of the early decades gave way to more simplistic styles. Fashion shows gained immense popularity.
- Fashion in 2000-In this century, the economy and profit drive fashion. Another important element is comfort. The very popular fashion style called ‘Streetwear style” has its base on comfortable clothes that people like to wear.
