# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

The death of Queen Victoria (1901) marking the end of the Victorian Era

Era of empires, innovation, and rising tensions

Europe was at their height of imperialism, most of Africa and Asia was under colonial rule

Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and optimism (Belle Époque)

Growing alliances between empires and arms races set the stage for WW1

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Edwardian “Belle Époque” style:

Opulent, romantic fashion emphasising luxury and femininity.

S-bend corset created a silhouette with rounded hips and a tiny waist.

High society elegance:

Floor-length skirts, lace blouses, puffed sleeves, and tall collars.

Elaborate hats adorned with feathers, ribbons, and flowers.

Evening wear:

Flowing gowns in silk and satin, decorated with embroidery and lace.

Emerging practicality (late 1900s):

Slightly shorter skirts, looser corsets, and tailored walking suits for mobility and sports.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

The prosperity from Belle Époque reflected in the way women dressed.

A bigger need for practicality for women towards the end of the decade, better accommodating for those with industrial jobs.

Shorter skirts indicating good economic welfare (Hemline index theory)

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo

WW1 (1914-1918) with estimated 16 million deaths -> Allies vs Central Powers

Russian Revolutions -> February and October

The Spanish Flu pandemic -> kills 50+ million people

Treaty of Versailles -> League of Nations founded

Women's rights to vote movements on the rise

The fall of the Empires: Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German.

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Edwardian elegance (early 1910s):

High necklines, long skirts, corseted waists, and S-shaped silhouettes.

Lavish fabrics, lace, and hats with feathers or wide brims.

Transition to modern simplicity:

Corsets loosened and waistlines rose.

Empire-line dresses, kimono sleeves, and draped styles appeared.

World War I practicality (1914–1918):

Shorter skirts for mobility, simpler cuts, and utilitarian materials.

Women entered the workforce, adopting trousers and uniforms in some roles.

Postwar change (late 1910s):

Looser silhouettes, calf-length hems, and lighter fabrics hinted at the freedom of the 1920s flapper era to come.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Rise in more masculine clothing for women, trousers, uniforms, etc, due to higher needed demand of women in the working field due to the war.

Less intricate designs and shapes, big shift from Edwardian to modern simplicity due to the war.

Corsets started losing relevance and where no longer a commodity.

Longer skirts indicating worse economical times (Hemline index theory) -> later in the decade the skirts got shorter again, early signs of the roaring 20s.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

The short rise of prosperity, modernity, and fragile peace.

The Roaring Twenties -> era of jazz, flappers, and social liberation

Germany faces economic hardships due to the repercussions of the Treaty of Versailles -> the seeds of resentment have been planted.

Benito Mussolini seizes power in Italy (1922)-> the rise of Fascism in Europe begins

Lenin dies (1924) -> Stalin takes over

The Wall Street Crash (1929) -> start of the great depression

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Flapper style:

Drop-waist dresses, straight silhouettes, and knee-length hemlines symbolised women’s newfound freedom.

Sequins, fringe, and beads for dancing and nightlife.

Short haircuts:

The bob and finger waves became iconic.

Casual modernity:

Cloche hats, silk stockings, and T-strap heels completed the look.

Androgynous vibe:

Loose fits and minimal curves reflected the era’s rejection of restrictive corsets.

Sportswear & leisurewear:

Knitwear, tennis skirts, and cardigans popularised by designers like Coco Chanel.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Shorts skirts being the indication of the swift economical boom (Hemline index)

Women felt more liberated and entirely got rid of the 'classical feminine' silhouette that dominated the previous decades

Embraced an almost 'boy-ish' look, stranding even further away from the Edwardian style.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

The Great Depression fuels extremism -> economic crisis destabilises democracies worldwide

Different dictatorships arose (Germany, Italy, Spain)

Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany (1933) -> the Nazi regime steps into power.

The Spanish Civil War (1936) -> Fascists vs Republicans -> Fascists led by Franco win.

Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass)(1938) -> Anti-Jewish pogrom led by the Nazi's

Germany invades Poland (1939) -> Britain and France declare war on Germany

WW2 begins

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Elegant and streamlined silhouettes:

Bias-cut dresses that draped softly over the body, emphasising curves.

Longer hemlines and defined waists replaced the 'boy-ish' 1920s look.

Glamorous evening wear:

Satin gowns, backless dresses, and soft, flowing fabrics inspired by Hollywood stars.

Daywear:

Tailored suits, puff sleeves, and belted jackets for practicality during the Great Depression.

Patterns & accessories:

Polka dots, florals, gloves, hats, and fur collars were fashionable signs of style and elegance despite economic hardship.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

For the first time Hollywood became a mainstream player when it came to the fashion trends

Vibrant patterns became a staple reflecting the opposite of the state of society.

Slight return to the more feminine aspects of dresses, but with added practicality needed during the Great Depression

Long skirts defining the bad economic crisis of the decade (Hemline index)

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

WW2 broke out - Germany invades majority of Europe - Japan invades majority of the Pacific and south-east Asia

The Holocaust murders 6 million Jews and millions of others (gypsies, queers, disabled people, political prisoners)

WW2 ends (1945) -> Hitler commits suicide (April), Europe gets liberated (May)

-> The USA drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

-> Japan surrenders on September 2nd

NATO was formed

West and East Germany were established (1949) marking the start of the Cold War

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Utility & practicality (WW2 era):

Simple, boxy silhouettes; knee-length skirts; limited fabric use due to rationing.

Functional clothing — tailored suits, shirtwaist dresses, and sensible shoes.

Military influence:

Structured shoulders, belted waists, and neutral colours (khaki, navy, grey).

Rosie the Riveter look:

High-waisted trousers, overalls, and bandanas for working women.

Post-war glamour (late 40s):

Return to femininity — full skirts, nipped waists, and soft fabrics.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Early 40s fashion reflected the need for functional clothing, fabric was being rationed and neutral colours were the main take away from the outfits.

Late 40s fashion reflected the post-war rebuilding and 'returning to base'. skirts and dresses cycled back into style since the practicality of trousers weren't the main necessity anymore.

Mid-length skirts (Hemline index) attribute to the rebuilding faze that majority of Europe was in. The economy wasn't detrimental like in the Great Depression, but it wasn't prosperous either.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

The rise of tension between the two super powers -> USA vs USSR

The Korean War (1950-1953)

Death of Stalin -> Khrushchev takes over (1953)

Start of the Vietnam War (1955)

Warsaw Pact formed, Soviet-led military alliance to counter Nato (1955)

Sputnik 1 launched, beginning of the Space Race (1957)

Cuban Revolution (1959), Fidel Castro overthrows dictator Fulgenico Batista

The founding of the ECSC (1951) & EEC (1957)

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Hourglass silhouette:

Cinched waists, full skirts, and structured bodices.

Elegant femininity:

Gloves, pearls, hats, and matching handbags.

Tailored suits:

Fitted jackets with pencil skirts for daywear.

Tea-length dresses:

Often floral or polka-dotted, emphasising grace and formality.

Casual wear rising:

Capri pants, pedal pushers, and sweaters for a more relaxed postwar look.

Rock n roll youth style (late 50s):

Poodle skirts, leather jackets, and denim for teenagers.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

The economy was doing well, yet the skirts were still mid-length and modest (slight outlier decade from the Hemline index)

Structured bodices and cinched making a come back from the 1910s, but this time with a more independent and feminist twist on it.

Lots of patterns and brighter colours, loads of experimentation with different fabrics. reflects from the many technological advances being made during this decade.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

Berlin Wall was built, dividing East and West Berlin (1961)

Decolonisation of Africa. Britain, France, and Belgium granting independence to their colonies.

Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) failed attempt from the USA to try to overthrow Castro in Cuba

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Assassination of JFK in Dallas, Texas (1963)

The Prague Spring (1968)

Apollo 11 Moon landing - the USA had 'won' the space race in many people's eyes

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Mod style:

Mini skirts, shift dresses, bold geometric patterns, and bright colours.

Go-go boots:

White, knee-high boots that defined the mod look.

Youthful silhouettes:

A-line dresses and shorter hemlines.

Psychedelic prints:

Swirls, florals, and neon hues influenced by the counterculture movement.

Bohemian & hippie looks (late 60s):

Flowing maxi dresses, fringe, tie-dye, peasant tops, and natural fabrics.

Androgynous fashion:

Women wearing trousers, tunics, and military jackets.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Short skirts were all in and the economy was once again booming (Hemline index)

Rise of the hippie came directly from the rise of student protests during this decade

Women dressing androgynous to rebel against the "American Dream"/"Nuclear Family" propaganda that was most prevalent during the decade

Psychedelic prints and colours all reflect on their rebellious spirit that was very 'in' with the younger generation and women becoming more outspoken.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

Era of Détente, eased tensions between the USA and USSR by signing major arms control treaties. (f.e. SALT 1 in 1972)

The end of the Vietnam War (1975), US defeat and reunification of Vietnam under communism.

The Helsinki Accords (1975)

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979), reignited Cold War tensions.

Rise in new global movements for democracy, equality, and peace.

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Bohemian & hippie style:

Maxi dresses, peasant blouses, crochet, fringe, floral prints.

Flared pants & bell-bottoms:

Often paired with platform shoes.

Disco glamour:

Shiny fabrics, sequins, wrap dresses, halter tops.

High-waisted jeans:

Fitted at the hips, wide-legged.

Earth tones & natural fabrics:

Browns, oranges, and denim dominated early 70s.

Jumpsuits & pantsuits:

A new symbol of women’s freedom and power.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Long skirts indicating the economical shift once again (Hemline index)

More earthy tones reflect the raised interests in climate preserving.

Skirts were no longer the mainstream item for women, symbolising a shift in society thanks to feminism.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader (1985) -> begins reform of the USSR

The Chernobyl Disaster (1986)

INF Treaty (197) -> easing Cold War tensions

Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989)

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) -> the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe

German Reunification (1990)

What were the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Power dressing:

Blazers with shoulder pads, pencil skirts, “boss” suits.

Bright colours & neon:

Especially in workout wear and club fashion.

Fitness style:

Spandex leggings, leotards, leg warmers.

Denim everything:

Acid-wash jeans and jackets.

Big hair & accessories:

Volume, scrunchies, chunky jewellery.

Punk & glam rock:

Leather, studs, ripped jeans, bold makeup.

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

There was more hope in society during this decade, finally seeing the 'light at the end of the tunnel', which is reflected in the bright colours being worn

Trousers were now fully the norm for women, and starting outselling skirts and dresses by a landslide.

# data[].attributes.body
What happened during the decade?

Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

The Maastricht Treaty (1992) -> European Union was established

WTO (1995) -> accelerating globalisation

HIV/AIDS crisis at its peak

Yugoslav Wars (1991-1999) -> violent breakup of Yugoslavia

Rwandan Genocide (1994)

End of Apartheid in South Africa (1994)

Good Friday Agreement (1998)

What where the most popular fashion trends during the decade?

Minimalism (early to mid-90s):

Simple slip dresses, neutral colours, clean silhouettes.

Grunge style:

Flannel shirts, ripped jeans, Doc Martens, and layered looks.

Casual streetwear:

Crop tops, baggy jeans, hoodies, and sneakers.

Pop star glam (late 90s):

Shiny fabrics, platform shoes, halter tops, and low-rise pants — icons like Britney Spears and Spice Girls defined the look.

Denim revival:

Overalls, denim jackets, and jeans in all cuts (baggy, bootcut, flared).

Was there any correlation between the important events and the fashion trend?

Massive strides in technology being reflected in the rise of Y2K.

Celebrity influences peaking to a new high, setting the groundwork for what was to come in the 2020s

Big boom in self expression through fashion during this decade, but still following trends set by fashion houses and famous people.