Vintage Dresses Stand the Test of Time

Image by jessjamesjake via FlickrBy James D John

Vintage dresses are enduringly popular for a very good reason. The classic cuts and elegant silhouettes of vintage dresses have stood the test of time, flattering our figures decade after decade. Beyond their figure enhancing effect, vintage dresses are desirable for their unique position in fashion and social history.

When considering the history of fashion, vintage dresses have an unparalleled importance; instantly recognisable, they define an era, capture a moment. No other single garment has this power of evoking bygone days as succinctly as vintage dresses. Vintage dresses are the icons of each decade, with one style of dress summing up the fashions of the time.

Technically, a dress over 20 years old is classified as 'vintage;' any older than 100 years and it becomes 'antique.' The 20th century saw an ever-changing succession of fashions, providing us with a plethora of alluring vintage dresses from which to choose.

This century of unprecedented sartorial revolution saw the formation of the contemporary fashion industry as it exists today, and changed the way we make, buy and wear clothes forever. Vintage fashions, from the 1920's to the 1990's, reflect overarching social, political and economic factors; each generation reacting against the style that went before it.

Vintage dresses are the garments which so readily epitomise each decade of fashion, encompassing a range of distinctive features unique to that particular time's fashions, including: cut; silhouette; colour scheme; fabric; patterns; and embellishment.

1920's - Hemlines rose higher to the knee and waistlines dropped lower. A boyish figure was favoured, removing emphasis from the bust, waist and hips for a blocky shape. Loose fitting, but not voluminous, dresses had typically straight lines and low waists, allowing for energetic dancing. The flapper dress epitomises this time, featuring geometric Art Deco beading and/or frivolous fringing.

1930's - In a complete reversal of tastes, long, flowing feminine dresses with a natural waistline were favoured. As the Depression set in, the sumptuous world of Hollywood movies captured the American imagination, popularising slinky screen-siren gowns which clung to every curve. Madame Vionett perfected the smooth, sensuous silhouette with bias-cut gowns, which were often backless. Fluttery, tiered skirts were also popular on dresses, retaining that flirty, feminine style.

1940's - World War II meant a utilitarian approach to dressing and removed all frivolous wastes of material. Sleek lines remained without wasting material via calf-to-knee length hemlines and slim skirts. Rationed fabrics meant feminine dresses often had to be cut from menswear, lending a militaristic, functional air. Slim, belted waists and narrow hips were further emphasized by exaggerated shoulders.

1950's - The restraint of the war years led to a period of exuberant femininity in the Fifties. Full skirted, knee-length dresses were worn with petticoats for extra oomph. Dior's 'New Look' defined the nipped in waist and long full skirts of the decades dresses. Shirt dresses and halter-neck dresses gained popularity. Hemlines remained at the knee or just below for both day and evening dresses. Brocade and floral patterns were typical on Fifties dresses, as the freedom to experiment with fabric and colour returned.

1960's - The Sixties began with simple, geometric shift dresses, before being revolutionized in 1964 by Mary Quant and the mini skirted dress: Psychedelic patterns and colours engulfed sleeveless shift dresses; flared micro-mini baby-doll dresses took the hemlines even higher in sugary sweet colours and fabrics; and velvet dresses with long, lace trimmed bell-sleeves epitomised the dandified look of the time.

1970s - Whilst the Sixties went mini, the dresses of the seventies went maxi. Long, flowing gypsy style dresses had tiered skirts and nonchalant off the shoulder necklines. Lace, fringing and embroidery details cemented the hippy look, having various ethnic influences. Edwardian style long, lacy and high-necked dresses were made popular by Laura Ashley. The disco dresses of the Seventies were characterized by long hemlines too, fitting close to the body in sinuous, glossy fabrics such as lame and satin.

1980's - 'Power dressing' in the Eighties paved the way for a Forties tinged silhouette, with highly emphasized wide shoulders and nipped in waists, with a typically sleek, short pencil skirt. Flashy gilt and golden finishes upped the glamour stakes, as seen at Versace. The decade's defining dress however was brought to you by Azzedine Alaia - the 'King of Cling'- whose body-conscious dresses were scandalously form-fitting.

Now in the 21st century, the demand for vintage fashion, and specifically vintage dresses, is greater than ever. Let's take a trip through the 20th century and look at some features which characterise vintage dresses from each decade.

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Sunglasses in Pop Culture

Cover of Janis JoplinBy Ellen Tarnapolsky

Sunglasses have been seen in pop culture periodically throughout the 20th century. They definitely help to accessorize whichever look you're going for, whether it be glamorous, cool or dazed out hippie.

If you love sunglasses like I do, it may interest you to learn about the different styles of sunglasses that have been popular in the 20th century. Below are some of the more popular frames and styles.

Aviator 

Most commonly manufactured by Ray Ban, Aviator sunglasses have gone up and down in popularity since they made their appearance. They were first designed in 1936 and were meant for U.S. military aviators. They became a huge trend with young people in the 1960s, which gave birth to other styles of aviators, such as mirrored, colored and wrap around styles. The popularity of aviators dropped in the 1990s, but then regained popularity around 2001 with many Hollywood celebrities.

Oversized

Like aviators, oversized sunglasses have dropped and risen in popularity since their debut. Jackie O first started the oversized sunglasses trend with her gigantic black frames in the 1960s. This quickly became a popular item amongst women.

They dropped in popularity in the 70s, when they started to be used for comedic and theater purposes. Elton John often wore oversized sunglasses as part of his shows. They again became fashionable in the 1980s amongst celebrities and street kids. They dropped popularity in the 90s with the grunge era, but we see oversized sunglasses making their way back to popular culture, with celebrities commonly seen with their coffee and oversized frames.

Tea Shades 

These are often also called "John Lennon glasses," or "Ozzy Osbourne glasses." Sometimes they are even called "granny glasses." These were most popular in the 1960s by the hippie counterculture. They come in all kinds of colors, including black, purple and red, and they are known for their psychedelic features.

When tea shades were extremely popular in the 1960s, celebrities and rock stars were often seen wearing flamboyant and elaborated tea shade sunglasses. They were often excessively large, mirrored, and were made from different colors.

The more unique the lens, the more popular they were. Rock stars like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger and Janice Joplin were often seen wearing unique tea shade sunglasses. Tea shades are difficult to find today as a fashion item, but can be found in costume stores or online.

Sunglasses are an item that everyone must have, not only because they protect our eyes from the sun, but because they can add to your look and complete your wardrobe. If you love sunglasses but can't afford to constantly buy expensive pairs, buying wholesale sunglasses may be a good option for you. You can save money while still getting great looking sunglasses.

wholesale sunglasses are a great bargain if you want good quality shades. Get wholesale fashion sunglasses at wholesalefashionsquare.com.

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