Fashion is more than fabric. It's identity. It's rebellion. It's culture, power, and personal expression sewn into seams. And over the past 100 years, fashion hasn’t just changed—it’s transformed. From flapper fringe to futuristic fits, what we wear has told the story of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.

So buckle up, because this isn’t your average runway recap. This is the wild, inspiring, and often shocking journey of fashion through a century of change.

1920s – The Rebellion Begins

The 1920s were anything but modest. After World War I, women were done with restriction—literally. Corsets were tossed, hemlines rose, and the flapper was born. Think beaded dresses, bobbed hair, and the first real “it girls” lighting up jazz clubs in cities like New York and Paris. Fashion was political. Women were claiming space. For the first time, clothes weren’t about pleasing men—they were about freedom.

What you didn’t know: Coco Chanel popularized not just the little black dress, but women wearing trousers—scandalous at the time. She also used jersey fabric, which had only been used for men’s underwear!

1930s–40s – The Glamour & The Grit

Then came the Great Depression. Excess gave way to elegance. Dresses were long, flowy, and conservative again—but with stunning silhouettes and bias cuts that shaped the body in subtle ways. World War II changed the game even more. Fabric was rationed, and women started wearing utilitarian looks—like pants and overalls—because they were working the jobs men left behind.

Unknown fact: Shoulder pads became popular not just for style—but to give women a more commanding presence in male-dominated workplaces.

1950s – The Hourglass Era

Post-war prosperity brought back glamour in a big way. Christian Dior’s “New Look” reintroduced ultra-feminine silhouettes: tiny waists, full skirts, and polished pearls. Think housewives, Hollywood, and Marilyn Monroe. Men wore sharp suits and slicked hair—traditional gender roles were literally tailored back into fashion.

But beneath the surface? The pressure to conform was immense.

Did you know? Petticoats and girdles were often so tight and layered that women passed out from lack of oxygen at social events. Fashion came at a cost.

1960s–70s – The Revolution Wears Color

Then came the counterculture. Fashion exploded. Mod dresses, mini skirts, go-go boots, bell-bottoms, fringe, suede, and psychedelic prints. Civil rights, women’s rights, and anti-war protests were all expressed in what people wore. Style became a weapon of change.

Surprising truth: The rise of synthetic fabrics like polyester and vinyl was tied to space-age innovation. Think moon boots and mod metallics—fashion was looking to the future.

1980s – Bigger, Bolder, Louder

The ‘80s didn’t whisper—they shouted. Power suits. Shoulder pads. Neon everything. Workout gear as fashion. And don't forget Madonna's lace gloves and bold bras. Women were climbing the corporate ladder, and they dressed like it. Men’s and women’s styles crossed over in wild ways—both embraced excess.

Fashion secret: Many high-powered looks from the ‘80s were inspired by drag queens—who had long been playing with exaggerated gender expression before it hit mainstream media.

1990s – Minimalism & Rebellion

Grunge vs. glam. Slip dresses, flannel shirts, Doc Martens, and Kate Moss’s waif look all defined the '90s. There was rebellion again—but it was quieter this time. Think Calvin Klein simplicity vs. the bold hip-hop aesthetic of oversized everything.

Hidden truth: Many ‘90s trends came from Black streetwear culture but were popularized (and profited from) by major white fashion houses with little credit given to originators.

2000s – The Era We Love to Hate

Low-rise jeans. Bedazzled everything. Velour tracksuits. The 2000s were chaos—and we loved it. Celebrity culture was fashion. Paparazzi photos were the magazines. Style was more accessible and more copied than ever.

Did you know? The rise of "fast fashion" chains like Forever 21 and H&M in the early 2000s changed the retail landscape, making disposable clothing a norm—and laying the groundwork for today’s sustainability crisis.

2010s–Now – Expression Over Everything

In the last 15 years, fashion has become more inclusive, diverse, and expressive than ever before. Gender-fluid lines, body-positive campaigns, and the rise of small designers challenging fast fashion have rewritten the rules. Now, the focus is on authenticity. We thrift. We DIY. We care where our clothes come from.

Today’s twist: Fashion trends now cycle faster than ever—thanks to TikTok and Instagram. What was "in" last week may be "cringe" by next Tuesday.

So, What Have We Learned?

Fashion isn’t frivolous—it’s powerful. It reflects where we are in society, and where we're trying to go. Every button, hemline, and heel height tells a story of resistance, identity, survival, and evolution.

We’ve gone from corsets to comfort, from shame to shine, from fitting in to standing out.

Fashion has always been more than what’s worn on the outside—it’s the story we tell without saying a word.

Written by Jamie Goode
Fashion & Beauty Photographer | Creative Director | Founder of Goode Magazine
Capturing confidence, storytelling through style, and celebrating expression in every frame.