World war 1 and world war 2 effects in fashion world

World war 1: it was started on World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. From the time of its occurrence until the approach of World War II in 1939, it was called simply the World War or the Great War, and thereafter the First World War or World War I. In America, it was initially called the European War.

Women's fashions of 1914 1920 were heavily influenced by World War I, or the Great War, as well as the women's suffrage movement. Though clothing of this time is often referred to as Edwardian, in the strictest sense it is not, as King Edward had died. These are the the fashions featured in the second season of the popular PBS drama Downton Abbey which is set between the years 1916 - 1919.

By 1914, women's clothing had lost the rigid, tailored lines of the Edwardian period, and the styles of fashion's first great design genius, Paul Poiret, obliterated the need for wearing tight fitting corsets. Shortly before the outbreak of World War I, fashion had taken on a whole new look based on Orientalism with its soft drapery, and bold prints. The lines of Russian peasant costume appeared in hip length tunics, a style that lasted throughout the war years. During the war, as men went off to fight, women took on jobs formerly filled by men. Women and girls who previously worked as domestic servants took on jobs in munitions factories, performed administrative work, took work as drivers, nurses, and farm workers. They volunteered for organizations like the Red Cross, and joined the military. Many of the occupations demanded the wearing of uniforms, including trousers. A military look crept into fashion designs as well with military style tunic jackets, belts, and epaulets.

British Women's Land Army Poster

A new image of freedom and self respect led women away from traditional gender roles. They drove cars and demanded the right to vote. Before the war, Paris led the world of fashion. But due to the privations of war, and loss of communication between the US and Europe, New York emerged as a fashion leader with new designs based on a combination or femininity and practicality. During World War I, people took to a plainer lifestyle. Women stopped wearing jewelry, and the lavish clothing of the Edwardian period fell by the wayside. As women dressed for new roles, gender dictated dress codes relaxed. Skirts became shorter, as they often do during wartime and colors became sober and muted.

Dating the Clothing Styles of the World War I Era

1914 began with a strong Edwardian silhouette. Women wore long, narrow skirts that fell to the top of the foot, along with lacy shirtwaists. But the tunic effect introduced by Paul Poire, based on a Russian peasant look, came to blend with the military style tunic worn during the Great War. At the end of the Edwardian period, Paul Poiret, introduced, the jup colot for evening wear - a high waisted n tunic style dress worn with harem pants. As the world entered war, women were offered more tailored versions of the look which included military details along with checks and stripes. Jeanne Paquine, the first woman to gain international fame in the world of fashion, created garments for the new, more active woman. Her version of the hobble skirt (a narrow skirt that restricted a woman's stride) included pleats for ease of movement. Her fashion designs mixed tailoring with femimine drapery.

1914 1919 fashion The spring of 1914 saw a new fashion trend called the war crinoline which featured a bell shaped skirt and a wide over skirt. The season also offered sloped shoulders and wide collars. But the use of so much fabric was soon viewed as wasteful during wartime and critics called for more conservative use of cloth. In 1915, hemlines rose to mid-calf and traditionalists complained of immodesty. By 1918, skirts grew narrow again and hemlines fell to below the calf. 1919 saw longer dresses with clean lines and a normal waist.

1918s -Roaring 20s

In 1911, the fashion show was a new phenomenon. Previously, designers had worked with individual clients to create new combinations of style, cut, and the fabrics used in the creation of fashionable clothing for a more personalized look. Paul Poiret's 1911 traveling fashion show appeared at charity benefits, theaters, and department stores. He took his show to the US in 1913. Soon, other designers followed suit. In 1913, a New York film company documented a twice yearly show, offering a look at couture to the masses. Before the advent of fashion models, actresses, singers, and dancers modeled the clothing. During World War I, fashion shows were organized to help raise funds for the war effort. And in 1914, Edna Woolman Chase, the editor of Vogue put on a fashion show to display the work of New York designers. Led by Paul Poiret, French couture houses banded together to form a syndicate to thwart design piracy. Customers and businesses who wanted to reproduce couture designs were charged a copy right fee and fashion shows were invitation only.

Roaring 20s

1914 - 1920 in Shoes During theGreat War, higher hemlines exposed a gap between the tip of the boot and a skirt hem. The look distracted from the overall appearance of an outfit, so the high button boots of the past were abandoned. Women wore shoes with heels that featured a slight curve.