American Fashion Trends Through the Decades — America House Kyiv

Fashion can often be considered an expression of one’s true personality and creativity. From famous fashion shows in Milan, Italy to London fashion week, fashion dominates much of our everyday lives. Every day, we debate what to wear to work, to school, to a party, etc. Undoubtedly, with changing times, fashion has changed over the decades to cater to the changing environments. 

Here are the main American fashion trends through the decades that have defined much of the culture:

1920s:

Women typically wore dresses that were below the knee and were straight yet slightly flowy. They paired these dresses with T-strap heels, fur coats or fringe wraps, pearl necklaces, and short, bobbed hair. These women are often remembered as “Flappers”. Dresses were generally colorful or patterned (plaid, checked). Dresses also had some type of collar – a staple of 1920s women’s fashion. Women also always wore small hats outside the home, from bucket hats to berets. 1920s womens fashion “embraced simplicity”. 

Men also embraced the idea of simplicity and stopped wearing three-piece suits. In place of this, they began to wear soft collar shirts and jackets with one or two buttons. The design of “pinstripes” also became popular during this time. Men wore long overcoats, pullover sweaters, fedora hats, and lace-up boots. They also used canes, gloves, and pocket watches.