While women’s fashion in America may not seem like the most pressing theme of history, it is certainly the most dynamic. Continuously changing, this thread of United States’ history is one that explains many other events happening at the time. It is the most captivating filament that this country has, as it tells the story of the US in its own way. Starting with limited to no rights, women have gained so much freedom throughout the past century, and their fashion lives to show just that. It shows the triumphs of the minorities over the years, but also the limitations of war times. Women’s fashion shows the unity it can bring to a group of people, and the positive or negative affect on society.
Starting in the mid 19th century, this blog explains how women of the western part of the country dressed, and then goes on to explain the high-end fashions of the upper class. Although each post incorporates a different perspective into the overall fashion, the common theme between all the posts is the sense of expression through what a woman wore and how that impacted her life. This then influences society with the decisions women are making, whether it be their higher sense of freedom impacting their political choices, or their feeling of oppression that leads to rebellion. The blog moves on to describe the rebellious taste of the 20th century women and its parallel to the growing times. It asks the question: did the time make the man or the man make the time? It can be argued that both occurred; a growing economy led to improvements and freedoms in fashion, yet innovation in fashion led to societal changes that have lasted until current day. This blog also connects fashion to major events in US history, such as the Great Depression. Although fashion seems like a miniscule part of that time, it still existed and was a part of everyday life for women. As unimportant as it may seem, choosing an outfit for the day may have influenced a person’s life and what happened as a result. In the later 20th century, some fashion was used to make a social statement. Clothing was chosen controversially to create discussion and change in society. Women used their bodies and what materials they put on them to voice their opinion. This power form of self-expression has impacted much legislation that is seen today in America. It led to the ratification of the 19th amendment and the proposal of the Equal Rights Amendment. These landmark political pieces have shaped American history, and fashion was used to help accomplish it.
While this blog’s intent is for enjoyable information on women’s fashion, it has a deeper connection to American history. It connects what women wore at a certain time period to other political, social and economical events of that time. The continuously changing fashions in America are evidences of what is happening in the country at the time, as they reflect what is happening with women. Hopefully this blog will help you connect the more surface level themes of fashion with the deeper-rooted themes of American history.
Starting in the mid 19th century, this blog explains how women of the western part of the country dressed, and then goes on to explain the high-end fashions of the upper class. Although each post incorporates a different perspective into the overall fashion, the common theme between all the posts is the sense of expression through what a woman wore and how that impacted her life. This then influences society with the decisions women are making, whether it be their higher sense of freedom impacting their political choices, or their feeling of oppression that leads to rebellion. The blog moves on to describe the rebellious taste of the 20th century women and its parallel to the growing times. It asks the question: did the time make the man or the man make the time? It can be argued that both occurred; a growing economy led to improvements and freedoms in fashion, yet innovation in fashion led to societal changes that have lasted until current day. This blog also connects fashion to major events in US history, such as the Great Depression. Although fashion seems like a miniscule part of that time, it still existed and was a part of everyday life for women. As unimportant as it may seem, choosing an outfit for the day may have influenced a person’s life and what happened as a result. In the later 20th century, some fashion was used to make a social statement. Clothing was chosen controversially to create discussion and change in society. Women used their bodies and what materials they put on them to voice their opinion. This power form of self-expression has impacted much legislation that is seen today in America. It led to the ratification of the 19th amendment and the proposal of the Equal Rights Amendment. These landmark political pieces have shaped American history, and fashion was used to help accomplish it.
While this blog’s intent is for enjoyable information on women’s fashion, it has a deeper connection to American history. It connects what women wore at a certain time period to other political, social and economical events of that time. The continuously changing fashions in America are evidences of what is happening in the country at the time, as they reflect what is happening with women. Hopefully this blog will help you connect the more surface level themes of fashion with the deeper-rooted themes of American history.