The biggest party of the year ‘New Years’ is just around the corner, and it’s about time we decide our OOTN. Yes, torn jeans may have reached our fancy parties, but retro trends have made a comeback and vintage is in vogue. Here we look back at the party fashion evolution through the eras for some style inspiration.
Of course, celebrations have always been a part of our lives and thus, party wear! Ever since hunting and gathering gave humans leisure time, festivals and parties became the culture. The 1700s and 1800s witnessed people Waltzing to classical music and the Victorian style with poofed up dresses. In fact, along with mixed alcoholic drinks, the cocktail dress was made popular in the early 1800s. And this will always remain a favoured look for all women.
But truly, it all started in the 20th century, with women’s role changing in the society and along with that, their style too. It all started with flapper dresses, hiked hemlines, red silk stockings, garter belts and a lot of beads. It all started with Coco Chanel who defined fashion and trends at the time. It all started with the Jazz age when dancing comfortably to care-free music was key!
This was the roaring and incredibly glamorous 1920s!
Personally, my favourite time for style inspiration. The style was all about glitz and glamour and for the first time, about comfort! The era was all about liberation and change that saw the rise of the flapper girl style as well as made androgyny ‘cool’. It was a time when Jazz music was the party sound, Gloria Swanson with her extravagant style was the key trendsetter of the decade and, of course, how can we ignore The Great Gatsby. Rich jewel tones, beads, sequins and feathers made the most lavish looking party outfits. To top that up, the girls amazingly accessorised their looks with chunky gold bangles, silk scarves, feathered hats and even diamond tiaras. Oh, what a time!
The 1930s: Despite The Great Depressions
Even though the decade saw The Great Depression, surprisingly party wear was all about luxury. The 1930s embraced the female form and while longer hemlines returned, the decade also gave us slip dresses that are still a staple in our wardrobes. Massively influenced by stars like Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth, the style was defined by extravagance and silhouettes were feminine and romantic. Amongst low-back dresses, ruffled silhouettes and the discovery of Shocking pink, one significant fashion trend of the time was Puff Sleeves, which was seen all over the silver screen and how we recognise the fashion of the era.
Fashion Fighting Back in the 1940s
Reflecting on the war, fashion became all about utility and practicality in the 1940s. Partywear became subtle but not less fashionable. After all, it was finally time to celebrate the end of the war. While cinched waists and shoulder pads were in to accentuate tiny figures, bright colours, tropical prints and big bows brought in the fun element. But the most iconic fashion contribution in the late 1940s was Dior’s interpretation of the cocktail dress, that was then defined as the New Look.
The Rise of the cocktail dress in the 1950s
The famed design by Christian Dior made the 1950s regarded as the age of the cocktail dress. The dress featured an hourglass silhouette, an uplifted bust, a tiny waist and full skirt. This decade was all about french courtiers being the masters of fashion, and Parisian Style became the ‘It’ look. It was also the decade that introduced the poofed up prom dress to us. It was the beginning of the rock and roll era and the poodle skirts and saddle shoes made dancing all the more fun. Although, if we have to pick one fashion trend that really stuck with us, it has to be the cat-eye sunglasses that were made popular by Marilyn Monroe. Who can disagree? They are still our favourite and so is she!
The 1960s with a fresh outlook
This was the decade of cultural and social change! youth culture became prominent and women began embracing life and creating a bright future. For the first time hemlines were above the knee. Art and music were inspiring the fashion world immensely. The Pop-art movement that gave us eclectic patterns and vibrant colours. The iconic Mod girl look introduced short dresses and skirts, A-line silhouettes, boxy shapes and colour blocking patterns. The 1960s also gave us fashion icons who to this day and will forever inspire us. Audrey Hepburn, her natural grace, her little black dress and her pearls; Jackey Kennedy, her athletic style, low-heel shoes and the pillbox hat; and of course The Beatles, the mop-top haircut, their unconventional hippie style, and formal suits- everything we are grateful for.
Romanticism in the 1970s
This was the era of the disco craze and night clubs like Studio 54 where bell bottoms took the centre stage and Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dress was loved by vogue. The style became more androgynous in the sense that men and women sported similar haircuts and were obsessed with accessorising. On the other hand, this was also the return of romanticism. Nature references became popular and women wore flowy and sleek dresses to embrace the natural body silhouette.
1980s: The decade of Power
In the 1980s, more women were a part of the workforce. In came the concept of power dressing. Structured pantsuits with wide shoulders became the key look of the decade. When it came to parties, the queen of pop Madonna was and always will be the biggest inspiration. Wild and big hair, leather jackets and tulle tutus were what every youngster was sporting. In contrast, the late 1980s was also the beginning of the floral trend that became all the rage.
Check out looks for power dressing here.
Spiced up in the 1990s
In the 1990s all that people wanted to do was zig-a-zig ah! Known as the most quotable decade, the 90s were all about laugh-track sitcoms, romance movies and pop music. We learnt how to take style risks from Saved by the bell, Cher from Clueless showed us how plaid can be fashionable and of course, the Spice Girls made us fall in love with platform shoes. The clothes were tighter, brighter and flirtier than ever. All-in-all fashion was full of life!
All about Hollywood in 2000s
This was the era when Millennials were obsessed with celebrity culture. Thanks to Paris Hilton, the Juicy Couture velour tracksuits were championed by everyone young or old, Cameron Diaz made the UGG boots so popular that they were even featured on Oprah’s list of favourites, and of all the beautiful trends Britney Spears introduced us to, one that we are glad has almost died is the underwear as outerwear trend. Party style in the 2000s was all about being ‘extra’ as the Millennials put it!
Almost gone 2010’s
I can’t even begin to comprehend that this decade will be over in 2 days. While the earlier years were all about risque outfits, couture and luxury, lately there has been a change with love for vintage. New trends are basically reconstructed retro trends and we couldn’t be happier. The style-savvy knows to look back for the best fashion inspiration. Now that you know about the fashion evolution, take the pick of your favourite era or bits of inspiration to create your own style statement and go rock the New Years parties. We don’t know how the next decade will go, but what we do know is that we will do our best to bring you lots of style for an amazing year. Happy New year!
Image credits: Pinterest
