Celebrate Our 100th with Us!
This is a special year for Goodwill as we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary throughout 2019. Goodwill has called many locations home, and the heart of our mission has been a part of each one. Our Goodwill began much like other Goodwills across the country—in the basement of Summerfield Methodist Church in Milwaukee and in the basement of an unused church in Chicago. Today, our Goodwill territory spans two states and 23 counties, with 70 Store & Donation Centers spread throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, while another 30 locations provide a variety of programs and services.
As we begin this milestone year, we're taking a moment to look to our past, while we plan for our future. Throughout 2019, we'll be celebrating this important milestone in many ways. Here in our Living Amazing Guides, we’ll review the top fashion trends throughout the last 100 years and share how you can incorporate these trends in your wardrobe today!
We also invite you to take a look back at the road we've traveled in becoming who we are today by visiting our "About Goodwill" page.
1940‘s-1960’s Top Fashion Trends
WW2 had a large impact on fashion trends throughout the 1940’s. During this time, materials were limited, and the focus was on supporting the war effort. Men’s fashion took a big halt as many men were serving in uniforms. Women’s fashion became a lot more traditional with slim silhouettes that were tailored and conservative.
In 1947, Christian Dior’s “New Look” heavily influenced fashion trends throughout the 1950’s. The New Look, inspired by the Victorian era, was bold and feminine. Women’s appearance was linked to her husband’s success. Men ditched the everyday business look and clothing became more vibrant and casual. While leisure clothing was established in the 1920’s, the 50’s brought new synthetic materials, textures, and colors.
The 1960’s was a revolutionary decade as fashion became even more casual and trends steered away from pricey couture looks. This decade was known for being a little rebellious and breaking many fashion traditions. The “hippy movement,” brought by a response and opposition to the Vietnam War, also inspired an anti-establishment and anti-violence era. During this time, psychedelic patterns, longer hair, and wide pant legs were popular.
Women Fashion Trends in the 1940’-1960’s:
- In the 1940’s, fashion trends were made of clean and slim silhouettes with a military feel. Clothing was practical, uncluttered, and tighter.
- By the 1950’s, full, billowy skirts, rounded shoulders, and shapely bust lines were followed after Christian Dior’s New Look took center stage in fashion.
- In the 60’s, women wore mini-skirts, shapeless dresses, leopard prints, bell bottoms, and knee-high boots.
- Fashion icons in the 1960’s included Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, and Mary Quant.
Men Fashion Trends in the 1940’s-1960’s:
- During the war, men wore basic suits which were sold without vests, pocket flaps, pleated backs, metal zippers or buttons.
- Trench coats, bomber jackets, and aviator glasses were also popular during the war.
- In the 1950’s, men wore sport coats and blazers with patterns of stripes or plaid. Men’s coats were flashier and came in brighter colors.
- Corduroy becomes a big trend in the 50’s.
- In the 1960’s, menswear included velvet jackets, Indian prints, flared and tighter pants, and wide-collared shirts.
- The Beat Movement in the 1960’s was a popular youth subculture that included dressing in a simple, understated way. Clothing included black pants, turtlenecks, and skinny sport coats.
Sources:
- https://vintagedancer.com/1950s/mens-1950s-clothing-history-casual/
- https://vintagedancer.com/1960s/1960s-menswear-clothing-fashion-ideas/
- https://www.uvm.edu/landscape/dating/clothing_and_hair/1940s_clothing_women.php
- https://www.uvm.edu/landscape/dating/clothing_and_hair/1950s_clothing_women.php
1919-1930’s Top Fashion Trends
In the 1920’s and up to the 1960’s, men and women changed their outfits frequently throughout the day. Whether it was a special outing, a party, or even a certain time of day, there was always an outfit for each occasion. In the 1920’s, fashion was influenced by art movements such as Surrealism, Impressionism, and Art Déco. It also reflected the modernist era of the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age. By the 1930’s, fashion was full of glamour and inspired by the “Golden Age of Hollywood.” However, the Great Depression did take its toll and forced many designers to slash prices and use cheaper fabric.
Women Fashion Trends in the 1920’-1930’s:
- Flapper-inspired dresses or silk gowns that were shorter, low-waisted, and more revealing.
- Elegant evening gowns with sweeping flared hems and open, bare backs.
- Fur coats and beaded or feather headbands for the evenings. Hats were a constant accessory that many women would not leave home without.
- At home, women generally wore simple cotton dresses and oxford heels. Clothes in general were looser fitting and allowed for freedom of movement.
- Other accessories included rolled down stockings, long strands of pearl beads, cigarette holders, and feather boas.
Men Fashion Trends in the 1920’s-1930’s:
- Three-piece suits for upper and middle-class gentlemen. Men adopted wide-legged trousers, extra broad shoulders, and they wore looser suit coats which made them much more comfortable.
- Working-class men wore laborers’ clothes that usually included denim, canvas overalls, and plaid work shirts. Unlike women, men dressed for their job or class status, rather than the occasion.
- Classic hats included fedoras, boaters, or walkers.
- On the weekends, men were often found in casual sporting clothes. Trends included plus four trousers, patterned sweaters, and tall socks.
1920’-1930’s: How to Wear Today
- Shop for drop waist dresses. These dresses cut a horizontal line across the body below the hips. This type of dress is flattering and represents the looser, freeing dresses of the 1920’s and 30’s.
- Don a headpiece. Headpieces with gem or crystal embellishments dress up any outfit and add a romantic touch. If you do op for a headpiece, keep other jewelry (especially necklaces) simple so that they don’t overpower each other!
- Think Art Deco. Nude, blush, or cream-colored outfits with sequin details are perfect for spring and give off Old Hollywood glamour vibes.
Sources:
- http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/1920s-fashion.htm
- https://vintagedancer.com/1920s/when-to-wear-what-in-the-1920s/
- https://vintagedancer.com/1930s/women-1930s-fashion/
- https://sammydvintage.com/vintage-style/20s/1920s-fashion-trends-movies/