Historical changes are a major influence in fashion because are synchronization of the change in culture, politics, and other factors. Fashion, like any art, reflects the major shifts that occur in a society’s needs, perceptions and beliefs resulting from important historical events.

1. Wars and Conflict
Synchronously with wars, especially world, many changes in fashion historical development occurred. Sartorial elegance was slowly relegated to the background as fashion and style designing turned to utility during both the World War I and II. Lack of fabric which had been combined with buyers placing emphasis on producing fabric for simpler styles and cheaper materials meant that such styles had to be adopted. For instance, in 1940s women’s dresses were getting shorter and utility dress was in fashion because the industry was avoiding the use of too much fabric and any ornamentation was considered wasteful.
After the war women wanted to go back to glamour and comfort and this was espoused by Christian Dior’s New Look of 1947 with the full skirt and cinched waists. This was done as a result of the austerity of warfare; the motifs symbolized hope as well as new beginning.
2. Economic Crises
Every now and then, we experience economic recession, such as the great depression in the early 1930’s which impacts fashion. In this period, the society lost their income, thus garments where cheaper, and more suitable for the society. The garments ready-made industry became prominent as the progressive manufacturing of clothes made fashion available for the common populace.
Fashion of the 1920s was related to glamour and sophistication, to excitement and energy of the period known as the Roaring Twenties.
Related : What is the famous fashion brand founded in Italy in 1920?
3. Social Movements
Fashion trends are created by social movements. In 1960s, Black culture was celebrated in the civil rights movement. Gender neutral clothing, such as pantsuits, came out of the women’s liberation movement.
4. Technological Advancements
In the 1960s new fabrics of nylon and polyester changed fashion. Now 3D printing and smart textiles are revolutionizing clothing.
5. Cultural Shifts

This is captured by its rejection of materialism, and by the pursuit of liberty and different character of subjects depicted. Just like it, popular culture is another issue that immensely influences fashion today more specifically, celebrity culture. Celebrities also have many followers who follow their fashion trends hence make the trends which include new looks brands and styles popular across the world. Most, especially social media platforms, extend the effects of these trends by giving them a chance to run wild and popularize them. The so-called trends that individuals in the mass follow is shaped by celebrities, and their labeled fashions. So it demonstrates that historical movements and modern celebrity influence keep on playing a role in fashion transformation.
6. Fashion as a Political Statement
Fashion can be political. Military styles were intensely symbolic of power in the 1980s. Clothing is used today to support social causes such as BlackLivesMatter.
Conclusion
As history changes, so does fashion. The assortment of objects it conveys is equally concerned with societal values and struggles from wartime practicality to cultural statements. It is always a mirror of history.
Historical changes are a major influence in fashion because are synchronization of the change in culture, politics, and other factors. Fashion, like any art, reflects the major shifts that occur in a society’s needs, perceptions and beliefs resulting from important historical events.
1. Wars and Conflict
Synchronously with wars, especially world, many changes in fashion historical development occurred. Sartorial elegance was slowly relegated to the background as fashion and style designing turned to utility during both the World War I and II. Lack of fabric which had been combined with buyers placing emphasis on producing fabric for simpler styles and cheaper materials meant that such styles had to be adopted. For instance, in 1940s women’s dresses were getting shorter and utility dress was in fashion because the industry was avoiding the use of too much fabric and any ornamentation was considered wasteful.
After the war women wanted to go back to glamour and comfort and this was espoused by Christian Dior’s New Look of 1947 with the full skirt and cinched waists. This was done as a result of the austerity of warfare; the motifs symbolized hope as well as new beginning.
2. Economic Crises
Every now and then, we experience economic recession, such as the great depression in the early 1930’s which impacts fashion. In this period, the society lost their income, thus garments where cheaper, and more suitable for the society. The garments ready-made industry became prominent as the progressive manufacturing of clothes made fashion available for the common populace.
Fashion of the 1920s was related to glamour and sophistication, to excitement and energy of the period known as the Roaring Twenties.
Related : What is the famous fashion brand founded in Italy in 1920?
3. Social Movements
Fashion trends are created by social movements. In 1960s, Black culture was celebrated in the civil rights movement. Gender neutral clothing, such as pantsuits, came out of the women’s liberation movement.
4. Technological Advancements
In the 1960s new fabrics of nylon and polyester changed fashion. Now 3D printing and smart textiles are revolutionizing clothing.
5. Cultural Shifts
This is captured by its rejection of materialism, and by the pursuit of liberty and different character of subjects depicted. Just like it, popular culture is another issue that immensely influences fashion today more specifically, celebrity culture. Celebrities also have many followers who follow their fashion trends hence make the trends which include new looks brands and styles popular across the world. Most, especially social media platforms, extend the effects of these trends by giving them a chance to run wild and popularize them. The so-called trends that individuals in the mass follow is shaped by celebrities, and their labeled fashions. So it demonstrates that historical movements and modern celebrity influence keep on playing a role in fashion transformation.
6. Fashion as a Political Statement
Fashion can be political. Military styles were intensely symbolic of power in the 1980s. Clothing is used today to support social causes such as BlackLivesMatter.
Conclusion
As history changes, so does fashion. The assortment of objects it conveys is equally concerned with societal values and struggles from wartime practicality to cultural statements. It is always a mirror of history.