| By MaryLu | | | | sandal made its appearance. There were also short |
| Women's fashion has been influenced throughout the | | | | fitted suits and jackets and the still popular "little |
| years by history, location and design. In addition, a | | | | black dress." Nylon was introduced as a fabric, which |
| woman's status in society has also had an influence, | | | | made stockings much cheaper versus the much more |
| depending on what clothing choices were accepted | | | | expensive silk. In the 1940s, World War II negatively |
| and expected of her. Women's roles influenced | | | | impacted women's fashion as leather became scarcer |
| popular clothing styles, as seen through the length of | | | | and certain fabrics were hard to get. Wooden soled |
| hemlines, the layers of clothing worn, the types of | | | | shoes with wedge heels became common and many |
| shoes worn, and what was considered to be in | | | | clothing items were rationed. To get rationed items, |
| fashion in general during a particular period of time. | | | | you had to use issued "coupons." Items that were |
| Following are some trends and the changes that | | | | not rationed included ribbons, lace, clogs, suspenders |
| have happened through the years, beginning with the | | | | and mending wool. For variety, women began to |
| 1900s. During the 1900s, women's legs and feet were | | | | paint their shoes with bright colors or to decorate |
| almost never seen, unless they were sitting. | | | | the side of the soles with small items like shells or |
| Therefore, stockings, shoes and other types of | | | | studs. In the 1950s, glamor was once again back in |
| footwear didn't get much attention and in fact were | | | | fashion. Full skirts with petticoats, fancy suits, and |
| designed to draw as little attention as possible. During | | | | swoop line empire dresses were popular. Stiletto |
| this period, clothing and shoes often had silk bows, | | | | heels and Italian shoes were the ultimate in elegance |
| dark colors and small buckles. Shoes had pointed toes | | | | and refinement. Seamless stockings and beehive |
| and a moderate high heel. After the Civil War, | | | | hairdos also became the rage. By the 1960s, fashion |
| women's skirts were narrower and were more | | | | reflected the freethinking attitudes of the time. Skirts |
| cone-shaped rather then bell-shaped. Clothing was | | | | were very short, and the miniskirt was suddenly in |
| very heavily starched and shirtwaists came in style; | | | | fashion. Stockings were no longer in vogue and |
| these were fashioned after men's shirts. In the | | | | pantyhose made their appearance. Flat boots were |
| 1920s, it was no longer considered indecent to show | | | | worn with very short dresses or miniskirts. Other |
| one's legs, and clothing reflected this. Hemlines rose | | | | fashion firsts were psychedelic prints, "everything |
| and women began to take an interest in flesh-colored | | | | denim" worn as everyday clothing rather than simply |
| stockings and shoes. Silk stockings were expensive | | | | for casual or leisure time, and the introduction of the |
| and accompanied eveningwear. Ribbed and patterned | | | | pillbox hat. Once again, shoes had thicker low heels |
| selections, which were diamond cut, were very in | | | | with rounded or squared toes. Shoes with big buckles |
| fashion. The "flapper" fashion began with the Roaring | | | | were also popular, and had matching gold or silver |
| 20s, and emphasized very light ethereal fabrics, | | | | heels to match those buckles. |
| handkerchief hemlines, and girdles. In the 1930s, a | | | | Red Hat Society Ladies: stop by to see a wide |
| more "ladylike" appearance was in fashion again. | | | | variety of Unique Red Hat Clothes, and merchandise, |
| Clothing was very feminine, with crisp, clean lines | | | | including red hats, pink hats, decor, etc. Be sure to |
| during the day and with glamor emphasized by night. | | | | sign up for free coupons and sale notifications too! |
| Shoes were more sophisticated and the open toed | | | | |