Fashion was a fairly new thing in the 1820's; so many times it became very out of hand. Fashion became a past time for women as they continually competed with other women for social status. People continuously changed with the fashions to be looked at as more attractive.
The look at this time was shortened skirts, which became wider. Petticoats were worn under them as the shoulder line dropped to accommodate this new style. Throughout this decade skirts grew wider as waists became smaller and sleeves more elaborate.Shoulders were also broadened by berthas, which were wide deep collars to show of a woman's neckline. The start of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800's continued to effect the fashion industry with the invention of mechanical looms, chemical dyes, artificial fabrics and methods of mass production which made fashions more affordable to many more people. This then caused more and more people to dress alike and the barrier between social classes were slightly ignored.
But still the competition was still there.Woman spent tremendous amounts of money on fashion and other private luxuries. As a result sumptuary laws were designed to preserve the division between classes as well as regulating fashion according to a person's rank in society. Other sumptuary laws forced people to buy products manufactured in their own country to help their country's economy. Due to the Industrial Revolution, competition between countries was also greater than ever.
Fashion definitely had significance in this decade.I believe that at around this time the fashion feud was introduced. The 1940's had some what of a different style then the 1820's due to the constant change to out due other fashion companies. The fashion was still focused on the shoulders; they wanted to draw attention to their faces by using shoulder pads.
Also the new "wasp" waist was introduced, this was a small waistline with a bigger, fuller bottom. Unlike the 1820's who followed fashion to express their beliefs, the 1940's style seldom caused popular belief and political events to change.At one time jeans functioned as ordinary work clothes but during this decade teenagers adopted blue jeans as a comfortable, casual youth fashion. This was the time when teens really looked up to fashion. They thought that with the latest fashions would come the latest popularity.
The United States promoted the sale the teen clothes and was constantly coming up with new designs to beat out Paris, because the United States started to suffer due to the overseas sales. This decade was a lucky one for the famous designers Norell and McCardel; they stole the show at a fashion show, in New York City.
