Written by Jaylianna James
With one quick glance around school, it quickly becomes evident that fashion has changed a lot since the 1920s. Nowadays, most students have much more freedom than ever, regarding what they want to wear and how they express themselves.
About a century ago, during the 1920s and the 1930s, the world was still recovering from the aftermath of World War I and the rise of the Great Depression. Students started embracing fashion changes reflecting the era’s social liberation, departing from the more conservative styles from the past. For girls, flapper style dresses that dropped to the waist and hit around the knees grew in popularity while boys began to wear more sweaters and corduroy knickers.
The 1940s and 1950s were a big jump in fashion, launching the emergence of the term teenager. Teens were now developing their own distinct style, and companies started catering to their wants and needs. Girls wore full poodle skirts with skinny waists and petticoats, blouses and ballet flats, or white bucks with bolder colors and designs. On the other hand, boys would wear tweed jackets, oxford-cloth button-down shirts, and penny loafers.
The 1960s was the decade containing the rise of bell-bottoms, miniskirts, go-go boots, and so much more; the decade's style reflects youthful rebellion and being different from previous generations. Even while many schools had strict dress codes, teenagers still found ways to show individuality with fashion.
The 1980s were even bigger and bolder than the previous decades, and pop culture and music began influencing the styles of teenagers. During the decade, many teenagers had big poofy hair, neon colors, large sweaters worn off the shoulder, more denim, and oversized pieces.
The 1990s and 2000s, which has grown in popularity due to the style's recent resurgence, is characterized by its over-the-top nature, reflected in the many layers of accessories, low rise pants, and miniskirts that were commonplace during the time period.
Nowadays, there are so many different trends and styles, such as athleisure wear, which prioritizes comfort with items such as leggings and hoodies. Additionally, streetwear today is rooted in hip-hop and urban culture, coquette, indie, and really so many more places of inspiration. As the years go by, individuality in fashion continues to integrate itself into mainstream culture, sparking the birth of numerous micro-trends both online and offline. Out of all the decades, which one's fashion scene do you prefer? Personally, the 1970s and 1980s are my favorite; but to be honest, most days, I would rather just wear sweatpants and hoodies.
