A History Of The Dress

As long as humans have been on earth, dresses have existed in some form or fashion

. Though the centuries they have evolved from simple scraps of cloth to little black dresses, cocktail dresses, gowns and more in styles that vary from subdued to ornate and affordable to expensive.

By definition, a dress is a garment made in a single piece that is commonly worn by women and girls. They are worn as an acceptable and usually fashionable alternative to two-piece ensembles including a skirt and a shirt.

Dresses in the most modern sense began to be seen in society in the 1800s, featuring crinoline, hoop skirts and a bodice. During the day women wore dresses that included a high neckline, long sleeves and a skirt that went all the way to the floor. During the evening, women were allowed to wear shorter sleeves and a neckline that showed more of the neck and, after the Victorian era, even cleavage. Throughout this entire period of history, and up until the 1920s, dresses were no shorter than a woman's ankle.

During the 1920s, flapper-style dresses came into style and brought the article of clothing into a new and modern era. While some dresses stayed long, others began creeping up the leg as far as the knee. Dresses also began featuring totally sleeveless styles and ornamentation such as fringe and sequins. During the 1930s and 1940s dresses began to slowly lose some of the "shock value" appeal from the flapper era and took on a more classic style featuring clean lines and skirts of varying lengths. Many featured cap sleeves as well. The "little black dress," which began showing up in the 1920s, began to rise in popularity even more throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

The 1950s brought about a swing style of dresses, with full skirts that women could wear and swish around while dancing. Halter-top dresses also made a brief rise in popularity during this period. Throughout the 1960s a more mod style of dress took over women everywhere. Styles ranged from knee length to miniskirt length, both with and without sleeves and in a myriad of bright colors.

The maxi dress, which is the name for a flowing gown that reaches the floor, came about in the 1970s. It was a more Earth-mother style that appealed to younger women during the time. Conversely, the 1970s also brought about flashy dresses, usually shorter, that were worn during the days of disco.

Styles in the 1980s featured ornamentation such as ruffles, feathers, fringe and puffy skirts. Color and pattern were key in the 1980s, and into the 1990s, as women began expressing themselves with polka dots, stripes and even neon colors in some cases.

Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, styles have become more of a "mash-up" of all of the various trends throughout time. Today, dresses are available in any size, shape, color or style, and that is why women love them so much. They are now a fashion-forward choice that lends versatility to a woman's wardrobe, and she can spend anywhere from a few dollars on a design to thousands on a haute couture creation.

by: Jamie Simpson

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