Over centuries of continuous adjustment, the perception of fashion has been modified and turned into a form of expressing art in many individual’s own way. Not only has fashion changed through decades in our society, but throughout cultures and different religions as well. As we take a look back through the variations fashion has had over time, we will also see the affect its placed on the perception of how one should dress. In fact, fashion wouldn’t be only considered as what one chooses for their style of clothing, but the agonizing techniques people have used in altering their image to fit their societies ideal look. Its quite astonishing to view the memorable impact fashion has had through time

As the beginning of fashion typically started around 1815, and could be thanked by from the French and the queen, Marie Antoinette, having much influence on the Parisian style that was created. This style included the big, puffy dresses that had much fluff, and embroidery with linings of gold and silver. Fashion at this time, was determined by the amount of wealth one had, because only women that were rich and powerful could afford such fine custom made dresses.

In order to keep the dresses so puffy, women were made to wear steel-hooped underskirts that were called crinolines. These crinolines express a form of art; it became a popular regularity for almost every woman to be wearing one. Although these crinolines caused hazards, such as catching on fire when being exposed to nearby coal or high temperatures, women ignored them because they rather risk their lives than not be wearing the ideal puffy dress.

Later on, the S-bend corset was constructed, which was an undergarment that would shape a woman’s waist formed an S, and laced in the back to be made as tightly as possible. This corset would make a woman’s waist appear petite and push up her breasts, despite their flattering appeal, they caused much harm to a woman’s body because it would damage the organs and made very little room for her airway.

During this time, other countries were experiencing their own form of art through fashion, even though they weren’t as involved as Americans. Such countries that began their own fashion was India, their view on fashion was more to conceal their body, all that was needed was a garment that could wrap around their entire figure, and that was when the sari was formed.

Similar to India’s form of fashion was China, in which they used a garment that would fold into a dress, made out of thick silk with linings of different imprints and colors, and with big open sleeves. The Chinese were not only known for this distinct style but as well as the technique they began, called foot binding, in which they would tightly bind a women’s feet to prevent further growth. In their dynasty, foot binding was a display of a women’s wealth, and a symbol of beauty in their culture, because small feet was considered to make a women appear more delicate. This technique caused women in their later life to have many disabilities and damaging their feet long term.

Other places in the world, that had much simpler alternatives of fashion was ancient Greece, where most men and women wore similar garments of clothing which were called togas, and was made of white wool. Along with their togas, many men wore sandals made of leather connected to a tough cork base, much similar to the modern day version called gladiators sandals that have turned ancient shoes into a very popular fashion statement that many teenagers have found delighting to wear. 

As the decades passed over in America, the fashion for women began to become more modernized as World War 1 had recently ended. The everyday outfits became much simpler, leaving such things like the corset a thing of the past, and highlighting the true figures of women. During the day, women wore loose hung simple skirts and blouses of cotton but at night they became flappers, which is one of the most memorable fashion themes all throughout history. The hemlines that were once down to the ankle rose to just below the knee, and evening dresses were made of silk and velvet and were filled with beads and shiny materials that emphasized on elegance and prosperity. Women began following the fashion statement of their hair in a short bob, and wearing long pearls, and the smoking of cigarettes even became a fashion statement.

As the Roaring Twenties came to an end due to the Great Depression, women were forced to leave their lavish lifestyles in the past, and their fashion became simpler than ever. The high necklines had returned, and the importance for a traditional womanly look was being targeted. Nylon stocking and gloves became popular accessories during this time.

As Paris and London had always been a big influence on American fashion, that had much ended in the 1960’s. The fashion of the 1960’s displayed more skin than ever before, the use of mini skirts were used by almost every stylish women in the country, and the use of trousers became a statement. Women began wearing pantsuits, giving men the impression as if they wanted to dress as men, but really they were taking on a new form of art and expressing whom they really are. This is where the use of bell-bottomed jeans really began getting a use of, although they have been reoccurred in the modern day of a fashion statement.

The 1970’s-1980’s brought the term “hippie” into context because the theme that was now being recognized for fashion were vibrant colors, and psychedelic patterns evolving around Woodstock. Women were wearing see through shirts which had never been done before, and using crop tops and shorts, and displaying much more skin. The use of leather began as well; skinny high waisted became popular along with the use of leather jackets, with bandanas as a fashion hairpiece. The art of fashion is expressed by the amount of skin and colors the women were using and how they wanted others perceive them as women of the new era. They were using tight fitted clothing that accustomed to their body; this era of fashion was reaching a hippie trend set to the influence of rock and roll.

The fashion of the 1990’s can be similarly compared to the fashion trend America has going on now, the use of metallic colors and halter tops, and along with high waisted jeans is popular thing then and now. Although the typical young girl in present day tends to reveal much more skin than they did in the 1990’s, much of the fashion then has become reinstated throughout the past couple years. The use of flannels were a big thing then and now almost all young adults can be found wearing them. The art of makeup has become a way of expressing one’s self and their daily mood, such as the use of eyeliner and red lipstick. Fashion has had a great impact throughout society, and has recreated women in many different perspectives. One thing that has never been more publicized than ever is nudity, the amount of the skin a young woman reveals is almost naked. Social media can be blamed for the fashion statement on this, for such famous entertainers such as Miley Cyrus who teaches young girls that its okay to express their form of art through nudity.

The evolution of fashion has had some negative effects on society, because as a young girl displays more of her body it gives an impression of what kind of person they might be, not leaving them with much respect. I believe that fashion is a way to express yourself, a way to display who you are to others, and as well as a way to show what kind of mood I am during that time of day. Fashion in my eyes is art, because as put together an outfit, we see the colors that complement each other and how they might complement ourselves. Although I don’t agree with the current issue of the way some women may express themselves with such revealing clothing, I believe it is the social media to blame for that. Even though I would like to have lived in the Victorian Age when such beautiful dresses were made, and the French influence was so popular and women carried themselves with such grace.

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