Decades of Style: A Visual Guide to Fashion from the 1920s to the 1990s

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Have you ever wondered what’s truly fresh and new, and what’s recycled fashion that’s been updated for contemporary aesthetics? Then it’s time to take a look at a visual guide to fashion from the 1920s through the 1990s. Follow along to discover key pieces from each decade.

1920s: Drop Waists, Loose Silhouettes, & The Bob

The 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, were all about being the life of the party. The silhouettes for women’s dresses, whether for work or play, were typically a little straighter and looser fitting with a drop waist. Dresses for daily life featured functional fabrics, like cotton and linen, with chic embellishments, including bows and contrast stripes. Outfits for a night out had intricate beading, embroidery, fringe, and sequins.

Notably, the 1920s is also when the swim dress gained popularity, allowing women to shed cumbersome full bloomers for a more streamlined look and feel at the beach.

1930s: A Return to Conservative Styles

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With the boyish haircuts and revealing necklines of the 1920s losing popularity, the 30s featured many more soft, feminine styles. You could expect to see accentuated waistlines, longer hemlines, and cuts that were designed to highlight a woman’s curves with sculpted shoulders and flared hems. This return to the feminine also resulted in the excising of the Bob haircut from popular society; instead, focusing on soft mid-length curls.

1940s: A-Line Dress, Prints, & Colors

While 1940s women’s fashion was heavily influenced by World War II to emphasize practicality and functionality, this actually led to rising hemlines as fabric became scarce. Instead of ankle-length dresses, hemlines started ending at the knee. Another popular war-like tendency was to emphasize the shoulders and include a collar to create an exaggerated uniform look. 

After the war, many designers started exploring brighter prints and colors, shaking off the effects of rationing and scarcity. The 1940s were also when the beginnings of the plus-size movement were founded, with more designers paying attention to the needs of curvier women.

1950s: Making the Gender Divide Clear

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Women’s styles in this era mainly focused on sophistication, elegance, and formality. Larger skirts with nipped waists were most popular with florals and polka dots taking center stage. Women frequently wore heels for most activities, only rarely transitioning to flats or sneakers. Pleats in dresses and fur accents also made a comeback during this era.

1960s: Ladylike Elegance vs. Hippie Freedom

In the 1960s, a very clear battle started between the traditional ladylike appearance and the desire for freedom from restrictive outfits. On one hand, you had elegant, tailored womenswear inspired by figures like Jacqueline Kennedy, which featured skirt suits, a-line dresses, pearls, and white gloves. On the other hand, streetwear beckoned with loose hippie clothing and the “Mod” style. These swung wildly between boho silhouettes that layered many different textures and patterns for hippies and minimalist, boxy silhouettes that had the mod flair. Women couldn’t get enough of miniskirts and knee-high boots!

1970s: Denim, Bell-Bottoms, & Pantsuits

While women’s fashion included pants in many eras, the 1970s saw a major shift in two-piece fashion. Pants were far more available and accepted in the 70s, expanding women’s clothing options immensely. Hippie and mod dresses were still in style, but many chose to follow the freedom and versatility of pants. This was also a time for experimentation in accessories, with puffy handbags, thick belts, layered necklaces, and clunky shoes taking center stage.

1980s: Windbreakers, Power Suits, & Sportswear

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The new versatility women saw in the 1970s only expanded in the 1980s, with sportswear joining the realm of everyday fashion. While professional women explored power suits with broad shoulders and peplum waistlines, casual attire ranged from denim and colorful windbreakers to eye-wateringly bright sportswear, like leggings, leotards, and unitards.

Princess Diana was a major fashion icon during this era, popularizing preppy styles like patent pumps, pearls, flower skirts, and piecrust blouses. She evolved into a glamorous woman who often wore sparkling accessories and glitzy embellishments.

1990s: A Return to Minimalist Designs

Not to say that the 1990s didn’t have their own flair, but many designers went back to simpler, quieter styles after the bright colors and prints of the 1980s. Some women preferred the streamlined look of slip dresses or denim jeans and collared shirts, while others gravitated toward the grungy fashion worn by alternative rock bands, like Nirvana. Sportswear continued to expand in popularity, and biker shorts, leggings, and oversized sweaters became a closet staple for many women who preferred more casual styles.

The 90s were also a time for more environmental awareness, leading to the rise of sustainable fashion brands.

What’s Your Favorite Era?

As fashion continues to evolve, you can probably find influences from every decade of the past. Explore styles that evoke your favorite era in contemporary office wear, athleisure styles, and more!