Fashion has been around for centuries and each era is shaped by its own trends. Throughout the decades, some of the most influential style icons have been remembered for their perfect balance of timeless elegance and fashion-forward designs. From Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s to Rihanna in the 2010s, these fashion icons have set the standard for their respective decades and left their marks on fashion history.
1. The Roaring Twenties: Flappers to Fabulous Fashionistas
The 1920s were a time of distinct change and emergence for women around the world. It was the decade of the so-called ‘flappers’ – adventurous and independent women who defied the social norms of the time. To emphasize their daring spirit, women began to dress with bold and daring fashion statements to express themselves freely.
- The Roaring Twenties brought a rebellious but glamourous style of dress for the liberated flappers, including exquisitely beaded dresses, low necklines and short hems.
- Amid the glamour of the era, pearls, decorative hats, and long gloves were also common fashion trends among women.
- The decade also saw the emergence of a more tailored and sophisticated style of dress with the rising popularity of cocoon coats, cuffed trousers with pleats and knitted sweaters.
- Following this trend of more refined dressing, women also began wearing more intricate hairstyles such as finger waves and bobcuts.
The appearance of Chanel silhouettes including the iconic little black dress catapulted Coco Chanel to global fame for her high-end fashion creations. Women became powerful fashion statements as they confidently marched the streets with their tailor-made creations. From the aristocratic styles to the roaring 1920s flapper dresses, this era was the golden era of fashion.
Along with this, women of the 1920s embraced new layerings approaches with their outfits, such as wearing pants and swimwear. The only limit to their fashion explorations was their imaginations.
This new age of daring fashion brought a wave of self-expression and freedom, which is still seen today. From femme fatales to modern fashionistas, the 1920s provided a timeless style transformation that continues to evolve today.
2. Golden Era Glamour: Hollywood’s Iconic Style in the 1950s
The 1950s was a golden era in Hollywood, as iconic celebrity-style trends were born and popularized. Women’s fashion was a mixture of sweet femininity and bold experimentation, embodying an allure of glamour combined with daring luxury. Wide, zoot suit-style shoulders, pencil skirts, and petticoats were among the trends of the 50s.
Tops and Jackets
Women wore jackets and blouses with exaggerated and padded shoulders, emphasizing a cinched-in waist that drew attention to the gowns and skirts. These fashion choices paired with a sultry makeup palette to create a Grecian-inspired look. Off the Shoulder tops and fitted jackets were also popular, showing off structured collars and intricate necklines.
Skirts and Gowns
The 50s was known for its elegant dress silhouettes. Women wore full, bright skirts with lining along with fitted bodices. Sarong-style gowns were also popular, creating an atmosphere of alluring and daring glamour. Velvet and linen fabrics were used to create elaborate and intricate gowns and party dresses.
Hair and Makeup
Hairstyles of the 1950s included high ponytails, voluminous curls, and an overall “feminine” look that was complimented by a dramatic eye makeup. Shiny lipsticks and bright eyeshadows were popular. A signature look, heavier on the winged eyeliner, was also popularized in this decade. Hair accessories such as scarves and hats were also incorporated to add an element of elegance.
The 1950s was a memorable and iconic era in fashion, with Hollywood trends being adopted and celebrated all over the world. The glamour of the time was unmistakable, and the looks continue to be coveted even today. Considering the continuing influence of iconic looks from the Golden Era of Hollywood’s style, it’s no wonder why the 1950s are seen as one of the most stylish decades to date.
3. Swinging Sixties: Mod Invasion and the Rise of Youthful Chic
In the 1960s, a culture and style wave swept Britain known as Mod. Youthful chic and creative expression took precedent, and with it came a demand for clothing that expressed the rebellious spirit of the generation. Young people wanted to express their independence and fashion was a key way to do so.
The mod style included short A-line skirts, brightly coloured PVC clothing and Mary Quant designs, such as the iconic miniskirts. Accessories were also a popular way to express personal style, and items like go-go boots, jewellery and decorative headscarves became popular for young people to accessorise.
The Mod subculture was mainly centred around London, where youths of all backgrounds gathered to dance, listen to emerging new music and generally express their lust for life. The Mod Scene was full of energy and creativity, and current youth culture was heavily influenced by this movement.
The bands who defined the era, such as The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, dressed in the height of mod fashion and projected the Mod lifestyle with enthusiasm. Hats were also a major focus for Mod youth, with trilbys, pork pies, and bowlers being popular amongst Mods.
The legendary Mods paved the way for a new look and attitude that defined the 1960s and their influence is still seen in youth culture today. These symbols of rebellious youth culture are often incorporated into modern clothing to evoke the Sufing Swinging Sixties.
- Key Fashion Pieces of the Mod Scene:
- Short A-line skirts
- Coloured PVC clothing
- Mary Quant designs
- Go-go boots
- Jewellery
- Decorative headscarves
- Trilbys, pork pies and bowlers
4. 80s Excess: Power Suits, Punk Rock, and Pop Culture Fashion
Power Suits: The 80s was a decade of dazzling excess. Nothing demonstrated corporate ambition like a power suit, and the bolder, the better. The broader the shoulders, the louder the message that you meant business. Whether you had a business lunch or an evening out, it was your chance to shine in a blazingly bright pink or eye-catchingly electric blue dress suit. No-one looked quite the same in a powwow of the power-suited faithful.
Punk Rock: In counterpoint to the office-bound ascent of the power suit was the attitude-heavy world of punk fashion. Tearing up the rule book of the 50s and 60s, punks donned ripped and heavily studded clothing, covered in metal spikes and embellished with safety pins. The effect was both a fashion statement and a symbolic reclaiming of independence and individuality. With metal bands like Judas Priest and Motorhead playing the soundtrack, punk fashion gave those of the (anti-)establishment a freshly minted look that made a statement.
Pop Culture: Of course, the 80s wasn’t simply about the Man beating down unruly kids with a power suit. Many fashion choices were paraded across the small screen and movie screens that decade, with teen heroines giving young girls the courage to embrace who they were.
- Olivia Newton-John and Grease lit up the silver screen with leather jumpsuits and pink silk,
- Blondie’s Debbie Harry looked every bit the new wave princess,
- And it was hard to top the streetwise Swatch cool of Run DMC and the Beastie Boys.
In their mesmerizing technicolor garb, these celebrities gave 80s fashion a rousing endorsement.
From the classic Coco Chanel’s little black dress to the now astoundingly innovative Balenciaga’s platformed shoes, fashion icons from each decade have brought their unique yet timeless touch into the fashion world. Their indelible influence will continue to inspire trendsetters from here to eternity.
There’s no stopping the ever-evolving fashion industry; each decade sees new trends rise, but some things will never change. Timeless elegance never goes out of style—all thanks to fashion icons.
