A decade-by-decade look at fashion in the United States

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff


Decade Fashions
1900s
tight collars
lots of lace
long, lightweight "duster" coats
corsets for tiny waists
skirts with trains
narrow shoes for both men and women
lace-up boots for women
straw "boater" hats for men
feathered hats for women
upswept hair
1910s
trenchcoats
narrow "hobble" skirts
draping blouses for women
Middle Eastern patterns
V-neck sweaters
beaded handbags
decorated hairpins
decorated stockings
lace-up boots
bows on shoes
sneakers (worn only for sports)
1920s
cloches (close-fitting hats) for women
baggy flannel trousers for men
long, wide coats
coats that fastened on the side for women
costume jewelry
drop-waist "flapper" dresses
T-strap shoes
sheer stockings
bobbed hair
1930s
patterned sweaters
one-piece wool bathing suits
long, flowing gowns
sandals
fox-fur collars
hats worn at an angle
shoulder pads
wide overcoats for men
rectangular wristwatches
1940s
rolled-up blue jeans
narrow “"drainpipe"” trousers
matching skirts and sweaters
halter tops for women
sleek evening dresses
the pageboy haircut for women
the "pompadour" hairstyle
cork-soled "wedgie" shoes
baggy pull-on sweaters
Hawaiian shirts for men
1950s
white T-shirts
motorcycle jackets
black leotards
Bermuda shorts
pedal pushers (calf-length pants)
poodle skirts
saddle shoes
ballerina flats
full skirts with petticoats
strapless evening gowns
ponytails
1960s
bell bottoms
miniskirts
T-shirts with messages
pale lipstick and dark eyeliner
longer hair for men and women
the beehive hairdo
white vinyl “go-go” boots
peace signs
paisley and Indian prints
1970s
Western boots
lots of lip gloss and blush
T-shirts with logos
denim, denim, denim
legwarmers
pantsuits
earth tones
leotards with wrap-around skirts
the Afro
1980s
frills on collars and hems
bright vests and shirts for men
“power suits” with big shoulder pads
fingerless lace gloves
long fake-pearl necklaces
bangle bracelets
tunics over leggings
big hair with lots of mousse
Levi's 501s
fair-isle sweaters
ankle socks
penny loafers
1990s
designer athletic shoes
designer sneakers
puffy jackets
chain wallets
baggy pants
colored hair
bare midriffs
hooded sweatshirts
mehndi (henna tattoos)
2000s
low-rise pants
blazers
graphic T-shirts
bare midriffs
tank tops
bell-bottom jeans
skinny jeans


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