A Brief History of Men's Fashion

A Brief History of Men's Fashion

Nosotros've said it time and fourth dimension once more, menswear is ruled past history and tradition. Every person in menswear (designer, stylist, editor, etc) has taken inspiration from the past at one time or another. And no era has been overlooked.

Therefore, as we continue to explore the foundations of personal style, I thought we'd take a quick expect back at the last hundred-or-and so years in men's manner. Perhaps this volition provide a little insight or context equally to how menswear shifts, and more chiefly, how we tin make informed decisions when it comes to ownership article of clothing and developing personal mode.

Tardily 1800S: LAST OF THE VICTORIANS

As the nineteenth century came to an end men were slowly shaking-off the Victorian influence which still had them wearing tophats, frock coats, and pocket watches while carrying walking sticks. This may seem like an elaborate and restrictive way to dress, but it was a big step in the right management considering the Georgian period that proceeded information technology had men wearing feathers, panty hose, and high heels. And you thought y'all were a "dandy".

1900S: TALL, LONG & LEAN

As nosotros moved into the 1900s men'south clothing was predominantly utilitarian and rather unimaginative. The long, lean, and athletic silhouette of the late 1890s persisted, and tall, stiff collars characterize the period. Three-slice suits consisting of a sack coat with matching waistcoat and trousers were worn, as were matching coat and waistcoat with contrasting trousers, or matching coat and trousers with contrasting waistcoat. Sounds familiar, right? Trousers were shorter than before, often had "turn-ups" or "cuffs", and were creased front and back using the newly-invented trouser press.

After the war (which introducednumerousarchetype menswear designs which are nonetheless used today, like trench coats and cargos), business organisation started to pick-up and Americans had more money. More money allowed them to travel more than and broaden their horizons culturally and aesthetically. Many crossed the Atlantic to England and France. Naturally they returned with suitcases total of the latest fashions existence worn overseas.

Of all the countries, England had the about influence on American menswear. In the 1920s American college students began putting their ain spin on pieces being worn at the legendary Oxford University, including button-downwards shirts, natural-shouldered jackets, regimental ties, and colorful argyle socks. Furthermore, the Prince of Wales, who later became the Duke of Windsor, was the world's almost of import and influential menswear effigy. Through newsreels, newspapers, and magazines the elegant Prince became the first international "style icon" and became widely known and renowned for his impeccable taste in clothing. He was a legitimate trendsetter for every mean solar day people and it was the first time in history that clothing advertisers would use a celebrity face to sell clothing, shamelessly plugging their items "every bit worn by the Prince".

1930S: THE Meridian OF ELEGANCE

The begining of the 1930s saw the great depression. Although the boilerplate homo couldn't afford to partake in the world of style, many often enjoyed observing the style choices of those who could. Hollywood films on the Silver Screen became a beacon for hope for the working class man living in this era. Men and women alike looked with admiration and aspiration to elegantly dressed stars similar Fred Astaire, Clark Gabel, Cary Grant, and Gary Cooper.

In the 1930s the American taste level was at its meridian, rivaling that of any European land. It was a time when American men took pride in the clothing they wore and the image they projected. It was a time when men dressed by certain codes of comport and etiquette. The "menswear rules", which nosotros often reference, were written in this period.

"For the first fourth dimension American men realized that clothing should not be worn to hide the natural lines of the body, but, rather, to suit to them, thereby enhancing he male physique. At the same time, clothes should not be too obvious. Instead, they had to become office of the man who was wearing them. The idea of habiliment was not to set the man autonomously (as had been the example for centuries, when kings and noblemen dressed primarily to accomplish just that) simply to let him to be an individual amid individuals…. Americans had finally leanred that the goal of proficient clothing was to flatter rather than be conspicuous." – Alan Flusser

1940S: THE BIRTH OF READY-TO-WEAR

With the end of Earth State of war 2, American men strayed from the loftier standards and basic principles of fine dress established in the thirties. Part of this was changes in the workforce and the loss of formality in everyday life. With lower demand, the price of custom tailoring rose, which allowed for the mass production of menswear to takeover as the everyday norm. This menstruation saw the introduction of mass produced gear up-to-wear clothing in America, past some brands that are still selling us clothing today.

At that place were positives and negatives to these new methods of mass production. On the ane manus, bones clothing was cheaper and more than accessible than always. On the other hand, at that place was less variety in the styles being offered, and, much worse, these major clothing manufacturers realized (just like the motorcar manufacturers) that they could stimulate sales by offering changes in styles every year, or even every flavour. This began the "trend bicycle" in retail, which was created past clothing manufacturers to brand more coin and propagated past the mag industry, besides to brand more money.

Ultimately this marketing strategy pushed the consumer further and further away from the "ideals of classical dress" established in the 1930s, which were all about choosing long-term pieces that all-time flatter the trunk. Instead the goal of clothiers became to misfile and pressure the consumer to continually "re-invent himself" by purchasing "new styles" that are "in fashion". More than sales, regardless of the longevity or aesthetic of the look.

1950S: THE Historic period OF CONFORMITY

The 1950s was the Historic period of Conformity. Young men returning from the military were broken-hearted to fit correct in with the establishment. Plumbing equipment in and "looking the part" meant taking on the Ivy League look, which was dominating menswear. Individuality in style of clothing was an afterthought. The goal was to expect "part of the social club", in a boxy sack accommodate, oxford shirt, rep tie, and loafers. This was some other big boost for mass Ready-to-Wear manufacturers who gladly sold the same ill-fitting tweed jackets to whatsoever fellow trying to look smart and employable.

Furthermore, the 1950s saw the introduction of human being-made fabrics like rayon and nylon. This was another boost to the bottom line for the wearable manufacturers who could now save significantly on the toll of cloth, while producing a garment that was thought to be "more than durable and easiest to launder". As it turns out, synthetic cloth makes for terrible menswear garments, especially in suiting. Natural fibers are ever better.

Aesthetically the period was dominated past bourgeois grey suits and minimalist accessories (hat, pocket foursquare, cigarette, and martini) for only about everyone.

1960S: REBELLION & INDIVIDUALITY

The 1960s were a decade of unrest and rebellion confronting the establishment and the conservatism that was celebrated in the 1950s. Clothing reflected this new attitude, peculiarly with the youth who were more concerned with cocky-expression and individuality than classical dressing past the "rulebook". The clothing industry caught on to this new moving ridge with the youth, and offered a plethora of styles. Stores carried more than multifariousness than ever. It was approaching an "annihilation goes" menstruum, where often the affair that mattered the most was not what you wore, just what yousdidn't clothing.

The was also the starting time fourth dimension that fathers began looking to their sons for communication. The offset time in history that grown men wanted to await young and care-free. This trend, of class, only took us further away from the rules of elegance that were established in the 1930s.

1970S: DISCO FUNK

The early on 1970s were a continuation of late 1960s hippie rebel way. For men this particularly meant bong bottom jeans, tie dye shirts, and military surplus wearable. The most pop accessories of the early on 1970s for men were bootleg, with necklaces, headbands, and bracelets beingness made from all-natural materials such as wood, hemp, and leather.

Men began to wear stylish three-piece suits (which became available in a bewildering variety of colors) which were characterized by broad lapels, broad legged or flared trousers, and loftier-rise waistcoats. Neckties became wider and bolder, and shirt collars became long and pointed as the "disco funk" was all the rage.

1980S: Power DRESSING

In the 1980s things got a little more serious, with wide shoulders framing ability ties and suspenders. Bold colors and graphic patterns conveyed a new national confidence and businessmen took to power dressing with an accent on expensive wearable and gaudy accessories.

1990S: Amorphous BUSINESS Casual

This may be peradventure the worst-dressed decade of them all. The mode in the 1990s was the genesis of a sweeping shift in the western world: the beginning of the adoption of tattoos and body piercings .  This brought back the indifferent, anti-conformist arroyo to style, leading to the popularization of the casual chic look; this included T-shirts, distressed jeans, oversized hoodies, and trainers. "Business Casual" besides enters the lexicon equally corporate offices generally become less formal, ultimately causing the suit to get bigger and uglier than ever.

2000S: HIP-HOP & EUROPEAN TAILORING

Menswear in the new millennium was influenced primarily by hip-hop culture for the youth, and European "slim fit" tailoring for the older gents. The suit finally started to slim down, as the "European cutting" became highly sought after in America, to the point where eventually it became hard to find stores that didn't carry "slim fit". The internet also made it easier for men to learn almost menswear and share their opinions with fellow style enthusiasts. We saw the birth of the first menswear blogs, with this ane starting in 2009.

2010S: THE EVOLUTION OF STYLE ONLINE

The 2010s accept brought us the development of the "fashion star". Way bloggers have go mainstream. On the one hand, all of a sudden fashion is in the hands of the people, producing a larger variety of styles, reviews, and opinions than ever before. On the other hand, those existence watched are naturally encouraged to effort harder and harder to stand out from the crowd. "Peacocking" became a menswear term in the early on part of the decade for "trying too hard", although men take more often than not become more confortable with subtle, tasteful styling.

This period also marked the widespread acceptance of online shopping. Style enthusiasts from all over the globe now have access to more brands than ever, from the convenience of their homes. The internet as well allowed for more start-up brands than ever, marketed using social media and funded with online resource like boot-starter. In a way, nosotros're starting to see the re-surgence of the modest brand, fueled by the power of the cyberspace and the want for consumers to have something limited and exclusive. The all-time part is, middle men are getting cut-out every twenty-four hour period. Section stores, who'due south business organization is marking-up goods that accept already been marked-up by the wholesaler, are losing their stranglehold on the market every bit designers now have a scalable solution to sell their products direct to their consumers.

Ultimately my promise for the future of menswear is that we can become back to the ideals of archetype apparel established in the 1930s, and gradually add personal influences from there. Its starts with understanding that there isone style that is best suited for each of usa…our bodies, our lifestyles, our personalities, etc. Sure there is plenty of variation inside that one manner, but it shouldn't require purchasing a new wardrobe every flavour, but rather adding well-fabricated items to a lifetime collection of beautiful pieces that properly present, and represent, the wearer. AtArticles of Style we preach quality over quantity and making thoughtful purchases to build a properly curated wardrobe that volition last the test of time.

Cheers, equally e'er, for reading.

Yours in mode,

Dan Trepanier

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