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Writer's pictureEddie Cook

Fashion Trends and Their Origin

Updated: Dec 15, 2022


Humans have developed some bizarre fashion trends over the years. Historical clothing might appear comically strange to modern eyes, regardless if people wore it for practical reasons, vanity, or a combination of the two. But most likely, some of the attire worn today will make a list of the "weird" fashion trends of our century! Many well-liked fashion fads had significant genesis. Let's examine why we currently wear or used to wear thigh-high socks, a scarf around our neck, and floor-length trousers.

  • The Necklace Choker

Since ancient times, choker necklaces have gone in and out of style; from a plain bit of linen to a lavish chain of gems and from a dog collar to an elaborate beaded garment. According to history, ancient humans used chokers from Africa to the Americas, and it is believed that this was done to both ornaments to safeguards their fragile neck. After the Rebellion, French ladies allegedly donned chokers for the exact reason we wear wristbands today: They put crimson ribbons around their necks to honor the beheaded. Another theory holds that black chokers were a standard accessory for prostitutes in the nineteenth century.

  • "High Heel"

Dressy shoes only gained popularity while being worn by women. Persian horseback riders wore shoes with heels to keep their feet in the stirrups in the late 1500s. As Near Eastern culture affected European nobles, wearing high heels became a prestige signal. King Louis XIV of France was among the most famous early adopters; he liked a red heel to display his wealth. His low stature gained a few inches due to his increased height. Practicality played a significant role in the decline of the style for men and women by the late 1700s. But because of French pornographic photography, they made a resurgence in the middle of the 19th century.

  • Knee-High Socks

Women's fashion established standards for how much leg might be exposed and included hiding techniques. Women were compelled to wear hoses measured by a yardstick for gown length. Nylon and silk, however, had to be employed elsewhere due to wartime shortages, which left shops limited in supply. Around the same period, it became increasingly acceptable for women to put on short skirts while engaging in leisure activities. However, this still required covering the hose with ankle socks. Knee socks eventually gained acceptance as a replacement. The skin remained concealed between the top of the sock and the point where the trousers or skirts ended, roughly at the knee.

  • Arabic eye makeup

The daily Egyptian eye makeup fits into the "ancient fashion patterns you could still discover today." Almost every person in the paintings has thick black eyeliner all around their eyes. However, this eyeliner, typically comprised of kohl, served a purpose beyond just looking good. As athletes would place black strips underneath their eyes, this also helps the same function as the Egyptian eye makeup, which is to lessen sun glare. The importance of that kohl ought to have been enormous, given the local climate in Egypt.

  • Bermuda Shorts

Bermuda shorts are designed for comfort. According to folklore, a single island's tea stores had a surge in sales due to the inflow of British officers. However, the cramped spaces and heat waves didn't make for the most comfortable working environments. Instead of investing in new clothes, the employer shortened the pants of his staff to barely below the knee. This fashion greatly influenced a navy officer to the point where he and his fellow soldiers imitated it, gave it the name Bermuda shorts, and later accepted the design as a regular summer outfit that swiftly gained popularity.

  • Bow Tie

This stylish neckwear was not simply a statement piece; it completed an appearance. Bowties undoubtedly originated in 17th-century Croatia and were influenced by neck wraps tied in knots. Men's shirts' collars were held together by folding and tying this rectangular fabric, often known as a cravat. They eventually developed into the ascots, neckties, and bowties we are familiar with today, possibly due to French interest in and ultimate popularization of fashion.

  • Little Black Dress

Its origins stretch further back in time than just being a cocktail party staple. Wearing a black dress in the late 19th century implied a wealthy woman was mourning. The domestic staff of the affluent soon adopted a black dress as their go-to attire. The mistress of the home and her maid wouldn't be confused in this manner. But when clothing costs declined, women from lower socioeconomic classes could now manage to dress formally after work.

  • Cuffed Jeans

Although rolling up your pants may bring to mind fashion fads from the 1980s and early 1990s, the practice traces back to the late 1800s. People began buying longer pants because they anticipated the pants would shrink. When Levi Strauss started, the pre-shrunk fabric was yet to be a thing. Men used the bottoms of their trousers as a convenient storage spot for items like tobacco, money, or gum till their pants fit comfortably.

  • Bell Bottom Jeans

The wide legs of sailor outfits inspired the bell-bottom pants from the 1960s and 1970s. According to legend, sailors would roll up those belled legs to create room for deck cleaning. Additionally, they have a protective component that allows for the conversion of the trousers into a lifesaver in the event somebody falls into the water. While some people manufactured their own, the general public would buy sailor pants.

  • The flannel buffalo check shirt

The renowned Woolrich "buffalo check" shirt originates from the 19th century, but the flannel shirt is now commonplace in the hipster scene. Flannel is a cheap fabric from woolen or twilled yarn that is often polished to bring an additional soft and cuddly feel. Initially, the business wanted to provide warm clothing for Pennsylvanian woodcutters.

  • Ruffles

Soldiers wore several layers of clothing in the 16th century, cutting the upper surface to expose what was beneath. "The garment producers used the naturally occurring folds to their advantage by incorporating elastic strands into their clothing. These might be made to look more ruffled and chic by pulling them closer together."

Final Thoughts

It is interesting to learn how modern fashion came to be. Human beings are creative, and we can expect to see more fantastic trends emerge in the future. https://www.swyag.world



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