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 About a hundred years ago the fashion for women experienced
the revolutionary trend- trousers which almost replaced dresses. Till then the
image of a woman was kept stale since only dresses fit tightly. Today dresses are not used that much
preferring practical approach to romantic style. However, apparel of today is
nothing without the previous experience, both benefits and failure. Classic dresses
related to particular historical events and epochs regularly come into our life
in full extent or in some details, which is more logical, that accentuate
femininity and traditions as they were in the past.
The dress
for women was not created from the first day of life. in Ancient Greece men and
women dressed similarly when they draped their bodies and fastened in the point
with some clasps. The dress for ladies as a separate garment was known from the
Gothic epoch.
The Gothic
style in women’s dresses was described in streaming down lines of the hem, long
trail and sharpness of neckline. The tendency to go upward was typical for the
works of Gothic culture and the dresses which looked rather refined.
The flow
feature of the silhouette disappeared to XV century. The Epoch of Renaissance came
putting ladies into rigid dreses again. The skirts were fixed with the help of
special metal case, while shoulders and neckline area were open.
The style of
baroque urged the court ladies to pompousness which was expressed in
multilayered clothing made from expensive fabric, trimmed with luxurious bows, tassels
and golden threads. The woman used to get tightened up in the girdle with low
neckline while the sleeve was of ¾ long.
In XIX century
the concept of dress changed and in the beginning of epoch the loud grandeur gradually
fizzled out when the Empire style was introduced. The style was the symbol of
the elegant simplicity presenting covered shoulders and high waistline. The romanticism
conquered Europe in 30s and no trail of the
Empire style simplicity and unpretentious approach was left. Ladies went to chain
in rigid and tight girdle, fluffiness of sleeve shifted from tiny
lantern-shaped forms to enormous sizes embracing the forearm. Skirts got
shorter, though the luxury trimming and embroidery were still demanded.
The Modern
style reigning in the end of the century eliminated the « bourgeois skims» from
the ladies’ apparel offering to forget laces and silk. The bustle was still
used to support and raise the hem of skirt, it became simpler and looser. All the
attention was granted to the upper torso with the tight bodice, lantern-shaped
sleeves and the girdle. However, the dress of that period did not look like the
puffy and sweet cake but in accentuated elegance of the silhouette visually
making it ideal, instead.
In XX century
the fashion underwent sea changes. The dress lost almost all elements that seemed
so required, including the long skirt, sleeves and turning into the «case»
shape. The fashion twisted towards the old days of glory. The architectural
minimalism of 50s and 60s was replaced by the hippie’s culture with elements of
ethnic style. 80s and 90s opened a new page in history with everything known.
Festive apparel
of 80s immodestly shouted of their belonging to the classic with puffy
lantern-shaped sleeves, V-shaped neckline and square low neck.
The beginning
of new millennium is the special epoch for women. There are thousands of types
of dresses, though classic style was used in many models, though in details.
High shoulders
traditional in 80s are nothing but the reflection of puffy sleeves popular till
the early XX century. Strapless bustier is the modern interpretation of the
ensemble with the lacing on the waistline or the back. Stunning long skirts live
without supporting metal carcasses though created with rigid structures which
make the dress look like that loved by fashion ladies of the previous
centuries.
Wedding fashion
changed slightly keeping almost all traditions. The girdle, puffy
lantern-shaped sleeves and laces are employed by all designers for wedding
event. Brides like arranging their weddings in the special atmosphere made in
Greek or Middle Age theme.
Therefore,
the evolution is the same in nature, everything develops and some details
outdate giving the floor to new ones. Though, nothing new is created, just
revived and interpreted.
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