Fashion history

   From earliest times, man has changed his clothing frequently. A phenomenon known as "fashion" sprang up thousands of years ago. Men and women have tried to wear new things, different things, clothes that would impress people or frighten others.

   Most people like to think they are individuals and simply wear whatever they like. Few people will admit to being slaves of fashion. However we are talking of fashions and trends in everyday clothes.
    Every fashion goes through three stages. At first it is different; it may be new and exciting, shocking or surprising. Then it becomes popular, and the original idea is imitated. Finally it becomes boring and out of date as a new fashion starts.
     Fashion, or clothing style, is always changing. Fashion is never permanent. Long skirts, short skirts, pants for women, make-up for men- these are some of the fashions that come in and out of style. A style which is popular one year is out of style the next.
       I would like to tell you about trendy movements of the 18th century.   
In the middle of it, some of the most fashionable rich young men in Britain copied the latest Italian fashions. They wore extravagant clothes, lots of make-up to look pale, and high wigs that were powdered and tied with ribbons.

The Romantic Era (1800 to 1837)
For 12-14 years, due to the hostilities between England and France, English ladies were cut off from Paris fashions. When in 1815 they started flocking to Paris again, they saw with surprise that the fashions had completely changed. While the English ladies were wearing Empire line dresses, Paris had moved on to a lower-waited style and a fuller skirt. Fashion trends began to flow backwards and forwards between London and Paris.
Ladies Dresses
In the early 1820's, the waist had returned to its proper position and had started to be laced in tightly to achieve a tiny waist. The skirt became wider and had frills and flounces around the hemline. Short puffed sleeves became the fashion. Hemlines rose enough to allow the slippers to be seen.    

 
Collars
About 1828, skirts became slightly shorter, but sleeves continued to expand. A fischu collar was worn on some gowns and a Bertha collar (a wide edged collar) was also worn. Collars in fact, became very large and decorated in the Romantic Era, completely overwhelming the outfit.