There’s an inextricable link between the art of fashion and the communal culture that produces it. Whether it’s a music-driven, art-driven, or pop-cultural trend, these influences all find their way into the clothes we wear. Fashion movements are a spiritual reflection of the beliefs and passions of the people at joy, pain, and moments of self-expression. From music to the avant-garde, each culture impacts style in different ways, both past and present. The crescendo of creativity that permeates modern fashion movements allows each designer, art collective, and subculture to explore the boundaries of individual expression. This article offers a close examination of fashion movements, their art, music, and subculture influences, and their impact on style.
1. Exploring the History of Fashion Movements
From the flapper girl dresses of the 1920s to the mod suits of the 1960s, there are a variety of iconic fashion movements that have shaped the fashion and style of today. not only helps us understand the relationship between fashion and society, but also allows us to use the past as inspiration for the future. Here we discuss some of the most influential fashion movements of the 20th century.
The 1920s ‘It Girl’ Movement
The Roaring Twenties brought about drastic societal changes that had a huge impact on fashion. The emergence of ‘the It Girl’ saw the liberation of women’s fashion, with traditional gender roles giving way to a more adventurous and androgynous look. For the first time, young women were getting a taste of freedom. This was reflected in their fashion choices – cropped hair, Knee-length dresses, and shocking accessories.
The Sophistication of the 1940s
The start of World War II saw fashion become increasingly restrictive. The 1940s was the time of the “New Look”, with longer, fuller dresses encapsulating feminine elegance and sophistication. With the introduction of rationing, this era pushed for creativity in dressmaking; the second-hand market boomed and saw designer labels recycled into unique and stylish garments.
The Rebellion of the 1950s
The 1950s saw a move towards the rebellious and rebellious. This was the decade of Elvis Presley and the emergence of rock and roll music. The rebellious nature of the music was matched by rebellious fashion trends which included:
- Leather jackets
- Levi’s 501 jeans
- Beatnik style
- Tight sweaters
The Rebellion and Glamour of the 1960s
The Swinging Sixties brought with it a new wave of social change which was matched by a dramatic shift in fashion trends. Mini skirts and brightly coloured clothes became the order of the day. Departing from the highly restrictive nature of the 1950s, clothes were now being used to express identity and individuality in new and creative ways.
The Expressionism of the 1970s
The 1970s saw an explosion of expressionism in fashion, with garments boldly proclaiming the wearer’s identity and values. From outrageous interpretations of medieval and religious imagery to flared trousers and platform shoes, this era of fashion saw every corner of the globe wearing its own unique interpretation of the trend.
The Minimalism of the 1980s
The 1980s came to be defined by a minimalist aesthetic, steering away from the maximalist trends of the previous decade. The muted tones and androgynous cut of garments, such as “power suits”, defined the look of the decade. As a result, the fashion world was opened up to a new wave of expression and creativity.
2. Identifying Art, Music, and Subculture Influences
Analyzing Societal Impact
One way to start is to analyze the impact of these elements on society. Analyzing art movements, musical genres, and subcultures can help to identify the underlying themes and ideas of a given period. Of course, different movements, genres, and subcultures will have different influences, but looking for general themes can be a rewarding exercise. Additionally, it can be helpful to look for connections between different art forms and their place in the cultural zeitgeist.
Exploring Individual Subcultures
Studying individual subcultures provides an even more in-depth way to understand the influence of art, music, and culture. Researchers can look at lyrics from different genres of music to determine the themes the artist is expressing, or they can look at the visual style of a specific culture and trace its influences back to other art movements, giving insight into the reasons for the style’s emergence. Exploring the history of a given subculture and the people at its center can inform a person’s understanding of its existing and past influence.
Learning About Artist and Musician Influencers
Artists and musicians are the individuals who create the works we experience as art and music. Learning about those creators and how they were influenced by wider movements can jumpstart a deeper exploration into the influence of art, music, and culture. Additionally, looking for connections between different creators and their work can provide an interesting and multi-layered perspective of artistic movements.
Researching and Exploring
Finally, it’s important to always research and explore when looking for influence from art, music, and culture. By reading about movements, examining pieces of art, and exploring the works of musicians, one can gain deeper insights into how art, music, and culture have impacted society and how they continue to shape our present and future.
- Analyze the societal impact of art, music, and subculture elements.
- Study individual subcultures to better understand their influence.
- Learn about artists and musicians who are pushing boundaries in their fields.
- Continue to research and explore art, music, and culture to find hidden connections.
3. Examining the Impact of Creative Influences on Style
We all have our own creative inspirations, and it’s not uncommon that it affects our own individual style. There is much to be gained by taking a deeper look into the effect that creative influences can have on our fashion sense.
Foundation of Style: Every outfit that we put together has an underlying foundation based on our individual style, the colours that attract us, and the types of patterns that interest us. This base foundation is the starting point for being creative and developing our own unique style.
Synthesizing Artistry: Once this foundation has been established, it’s like a blank canvas ready to be filled with splashes of colour and patterns from various sources. Those sources could be from art, music, film, nature, and more! It’s all about synthesizing elements from other art forms and incorporating it into our own style.
Fashion Risk: Of course, with any experimentation, there can be risks. Weaving in elements from different creative veins can add flair and complexity to our style; however, each new piece that we integrate needs to feel like it belongs with the overall outfit. Taking fashion risks can be both exciting and sometimes overwhelming.
Inspiration from Unexpected Places: It can really be a blast to dive in and look for new creative elements to add to our style. To jump start this process, take a minute to look around and take mental notes of interesting objects and textures. Experiment with combining different patterned fabrics, choosing various hues and textures to pair together. Doing this can be a fun game to play with yourself and uncover unexpected combinations, like mismatched shoes or unexpected necklaces.
Developing our own individual style can be seen as an ongoing process, a journey of exploring our creative influences and finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. All the while, no matter what artistic elements we consider to add to our look, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in the clothes we wear.
4. Analyzing How Trends Evolve in Fashion Movements
Comparing & Contrasting Different Periods
Fashion changes and evolves all the time, and it can be fascinating to observe these changes over time. Through comparing and contrasting different periods, it can be easier to understand how fashion movements have emerged. For example, contrasting the 18th century Rococo period with the 19th century Art Nouveau period reveals how changing sensibilities and aesthetics have changed the way of fashion designs over the decades.
Whereas the Rococo style was characterized by highly structured garments with stiff boning and delicate fabrics, the Art Nouveau period featured a great variety of soft and comfortable fabrics and was more intent on emphasizing the female form. This comparative process can be extremely insightful when lifting the lid on the development of fashion movements.
Exploring Societal Influences on Fashion
It’s also important to consider the societal influences on fashion trends. In any era, both fashion movements and the zeitgeist are inextricably intertwined. A key example of this connection can be seen in the Depression-era fashion of the 1930s. Economic hardship meant that fabrics had to be scrimped and saved due to the limited availability, leading to pared-down, yet still stylishly fashionable items such as the flapper dress.
Conversely, the flamboyant designs of the 1960s were a direct reaction to the more conservative styles of the 1950s. These tell-tale signs reflect the changing opinions of a society, a society that no longer wanted to be limited by the gender expectations and extreme rules of the past.
Factors such as Technology and Innovation
Other important factors such as technology and innovation have also had a huge impact on fashion movements. With the invention of the sewing machine, mass production became more prevalent. This not only changed the clothing industry but also allowed for clothes to become more affordable, and indeed accessible for everyone. This allowed for many distinct fashion types to become popular, creating a diversification and democratization of fashion.
Furthermore, technology has allowed more creative experimentation in the fashion industry. Synthetic materials such as polyester allowed for new prints and textures to be used in clothing, which in turn has allowed for a new type of fashion expression to emerge.
Considering the Future of Fashion
provides an interesting insight into how people’s perceptions of beauty and aesthetics have changed over time. It will be intriguing to observe how future generations will shape the world of fashion and what new influences will affect it.
Fashion moves in many different directions, borrowing from art, music, and subcultures. Now more than ever, it’s a reflection of our changing times and of our diverse and vibrant cultures. It’s something unique and wonderful, to be celebrated and embraced. It influences how we dress everyday and expresses our individual style.
We’ve come a long way from where we once began. Let’s take in the ever-changing styles and trends, and strive to always be the best version of ourselves.
