Fashion Through the Ages: Which Silhouette Were You Meant to Have?

By Lesley Ware
You don't need a time machine to draw inspiration from the past. Browse through this history of fashion from my newest book, "My Fab Fashion Style File" and decide which silhouettes speak the most about you.
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You don't need a time machine to draw inspiration from the past. Browse through this history of fashion from my newest book, "My Fab Fashion Style File" and decide which silhouettes speak the most about you.

1900-1909

Silhouette: Slimming, fewer undergarments, loosened corsets, high- waist gowns, well constructed with lots of attention to detail (beading, tucking, insertions, appliques, etc).

Popular Designer: Paul Poiret (Born: Paris, France)

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1910-1919

Silhouette: Fluid and soft (much less boning on dresses). Skirt hems rose above the ankle, and draping appeared on dresses.

Popular Designer: Jacques Doucet (Born: Paris, France)

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1920-1929

Silhouette: Simplicity. Loose, shorter hemlines, lightweight fabrics.

Popular Designer: Coco Chanel (born: Saumur, France)

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1930-1939

Silhouette: Longer skirts, single scoop or V-necklines, fur on coats. The fashion of this decade was heavily inspired by Hollywood starlets.

Popular Designer: Madame Grès (Born: Paris, France)

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1940-1949

Silhouette: Shoulder gathering, V-necklines, and shorter skirts. Practicality greatly influenced the designs during this time.

Popular Designer: Christian Dior (Born: Granville, France)

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1950-1959

Silhouette: Fitted and short but also loose and free. Structural garments with cinched waists showed off a woman's hourglass figure.

Popular Designer: Cristóbal Balenciaga (Born: Guetaria, Spain)

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1960-1969

Silhouette: Empire-line dresses, structured, clean cut, shorter skirts, baby- doll look.

Popular Designer: Emilio Pucci (Born: Naples, Italy)

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1970-1979

Silhouette: Maxi, mini, or midi-skirts, exotic and tropical prints, and halter necklines. Punk fashion was also very popular during this decade.

Popular Designer: Roy Halston Frowick (Born: Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

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1980-1989

Silhouette: This decade was known for "power dressing." Woman's clothing had big shoulder pads, was structured, daring (underwear was outerwear), with revealing necklines.

Popular Designer: Calvin Klein (Born: Bronx, New York, USA)

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1990-1999

Silhouette: Comfortable, loose fitting, colorful or punk, dark colors, with some industrial and military styles.

Popular Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier (Born: Arcueil, France)

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2000-2009

Silhouette: Plunging necklines, long hippie-inspired skirts and dresses, corset tops. Clothes became much more revealing.

Popular Designer: Alexander McQueen (Born: London, United Kingdom)

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2010-Present

Silhouette: Anything goes, from revealing (skinny jeans) to "boyfriend" cuts (oversized). Lots of vintage and vintage- inspired pieces.

Popular Designer: Marc Jacobs (Born: New York City, USA)

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The Future

What do you think future fashions will look like? Start sketching out your ideas and be ahead of the curve!All illustrations by Eleanor Ridsdale. You can learn more about the history of fashion in my newest book, "My Fab Fashion Style File."

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