Fashion is one of the stitches sewn into the fabric of international culture, one that has been an ever-evolving constant. Throughout every decade, trends have built on previous fashions and evolved into new concepts, merging pieces of the past with the present. A major influence on the evolution of fashion has and will always be historical events surrounding the creation of cutting-edge looks: Factors like wartime shortages, musical trends, and the women’s rights movement have greatly influenced women’s self-expression over the decades. Fashion is certain to continue changing with the times, but looking back at what was once in style can help us see the inspiration for the looks of today and what’s to come.

1920s: From 1920 to 1929, the way women dressed and wore their clothing stemmed from abandoning corsets in the 1910s and moved into a more liberal dress style. During the time, women gained the right to vote and finally found more opportunities to join the workforce. Alongside this evolution came the shorter flapper dress, which became a representation of liberating a woman’s sexuality and expression. Simultaneously, Coco Chanel created the beginnings of her empire, which would soon design dresses and perfumes that would impact fashion throughout modern times.

1930s: When the Great Depression hit society in the 1930s, fashion was heavily impacted. Materials became cheaper, and ironically, clothing became more affordable for the working class. Women abandoned the flapper look for a more sophisticated style influenced by Hollywood celebrities.

1940s: During the 1940s, suits became more popular, especially during World War II. Fashions emphasized narrowed hips and skirts barely caressing the knees. Throughout the decade, suits remained popular, and the bikini became a favorite fashion piece in France. While successful abroad, it was deemed an abomination in American society, and its acceptability remained limited to Hollywood women on the big screen.

1950s: The 1950s are best-known in fashion circles for being the era of Christian Dior’s impactful “New Look.” The New Look brought back a taste of modesty, including longer skirts and sleeves, as well as more emphasis on femininity. This shift was criticized by feminists who decried the perceived objectification and repression of women, but this take on fashion persisted and evolved throughout the decade.

1960s: Fashion for women in the 1960s drew from a variety of inspirations in this era of youth culture. Straight out of Woodstock came loose, flowing dresses inspired by Indian culture, simple, flowing pants, and sometimes even topless looks. Amid extreme social change and rebellion, short skirts became more popular as women started pushing the boundaries of fashion.

1970s: The influence of hippie culture could be felt in the early 1970s as women blended loose-fitting clothing with bell-bottom jeans and a splash of tie-dye. As fashion evolved with the decade, hippie influences faded and made room for the disco revolution to make its mark. Platform shoes and metallic tops became the new fashion norm.

1980s: Big hair was in, and so were bold, bright colors and patterns in clothing. While leggings had existed for decades, they exploded in popularity in the 1980s, often paired with legwarmers. Spandex shorts also appeared on the scene; in this decade, aerobics became a fashion trend as well as a form of exercise.

1990s: Trends took inspiration from different decades as fashion evolved in the 1990s. The early part of the decade was marked by bright colors and crop tops. Chokers and denim on denim became hot looks as well. Celebrities like Lil Kim started to influence the fashion industry and push the boundaries of fashionable female sexuality further.

2000s: The 2000s continued the trend of celebrity-influenced fashions. Juicy Couture tracksuits and Von Dutch hats made bold statements. This was a decade in which fashion was defined less by historical events and more by celebrity influence in music and on television.

2010s: The 2010s saw a mix of throwbacks and modern styles that reflected the mindset of millennials who craved nostalgia and creativity in their clothing. Underground subcultures’ styles became more mainstream. This was a reflection of the millennial desire to push boundaries and bring back elements of fashion from multiple styles and periods. The 2010s can be summed up as an innovative blend of 20th-century styles with new twists.