It is not unknown that fashion has developed its own identity within the time periods of society. However, it is important to not only note the evolution of trends and clothing, but also the evolution of humans and how fashion was used to either promote a type of statement or for comfort or change in ideas.
Archbishop Riordan High School first opened its doors in 1949. This year was affected by the results of World War II, which led to the inclusion of nylon, cotton, leather, and satin being used to make military materials. This is where the movement of “workforce clothing” really began to erupt in society. With the feminist movement beginning to take its course, women’s comfort became the new normal as skirts grew tighter and shorter, and two piece swimsuits were starting to become socially acceptable along with high-waisted pants.
Men’s clothing consisted of voluminous amounts of materials like zoot suits, which included oversized pants and jackets and ties, which were especially popular in black and brown communities. Hair was well-kept for both men and women, and often seen placed back in curled updos for women and slicked back hairdos for men.
This time period also introduced ’50s fashion, which introduced exaggerated feminine styles that embraced the female body figure. The mainstream popularization of movies and music allowed for inspiration to be drawn from celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, James Dean, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe. Color began to be much more popular in men’s clothing. This time period of fashion was intertwined with the popularization of the American teenage experience, therefore clothing was more fun and practical for a drive-in movie or lunch at a ’50s diner.
The ’60s were a time known for the combination of elegance and excitement. Women were starting to show more skin through skirts and dresses. High-waisted pants were starting to become the new normal for women. Unique bright colors are becoming more popular in men’s clothing along with the well-known unique patterns. Hair and makeup was a key part of ’60s fashion. Makeup was much darker and bolder and hair was often teased or bigger and longer, as seen with well known celebrities like Priscilla Presley, Natalie Wood, and The Supremes. Trends like pill-box hats and colored tights can often be seen on even politically associated figures like Jackie Kennedy. Men’s hair was beginning to be more freeing with the rise of The Beatles, Jimi Hendricks, and The Temptations who made hairstyles like the mop-top and short Afros popular with men.
The ’70s was a key time in fashion because similar to the ’40s, we see how war can affect society into using clothing to represent a movement. The hippie movement was a direct pushback against the Vietnam War, and gradually became a part of history that history remembers as a time when people were breaking away from societal norms. Disco, soul, R&B, and Pop/Rock was the key influence of fashion with artists like ABBA, Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, Donna Summers, and Cher. The freedom in hair was especially represented with African Americans as they were now truly being accepted for natural, free hair, which included larger Afros seen in both men and women. Seen are clothing items like fringe suit jackets, bell bottom pants, retro patterns, pants suits and blazers, and graphic tees, which can all be found on both men and women. Men often wore corduroy jeans, Cuban heels, and hair grew significantly longer. Voluminous hair like Farrah Fawcett and John Travolta with the feathered layers look taking over significantly.
Denim, leather jackets, athletic wear, and bright colors were heavily influenced by the uprising of pop music. Hair grew bigger and big curly hair was not an exception. Teen movies like The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Pretty in Pink, allowed for actors like Molly Ringwald to truly influence the teenage aesthetic of fashion. One of the biggest fashion icons of this time was Madonna, as she was at the center of fashion with her heavy colorful makeup, various grand hairstyles, and bold eye-catching jewelry.
Michael Vezzali- Pascual ’88 reminisced on ’80s fashion by recollecting that, “It was all about rock-and-roll. The guys that looked like me were all under rock-and-roll at the time and that was our identity.” He continued by saying, “We all had that feathered hair, we all carried brushes in our back pocket.”
The ’90s shifted fashion to a more mature style, and although fashion was still influenced by teenage culture, colors weren’t as bright as they were in the ’80s. With Hip-Hop becoming more mainstream, baggy denim, gold jewelry, sneaker culture, bucket hats, and flannels were largely inspired by black and brown communities. Chicano culture was beginning to become more represented, especially in our own city of San Francisco, where places like The Mission, Potrero Hill, and The Bayview were welcoming artists and culture.
’90s fashion was kept more simple in mainstream Hollywood with women like Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, Julia Roberts, and Naomi Campbell popularizing trends like mini dresses, plaid skirts, slip dresses, big leather jackets, and well-kept updos or straight hair. For men, celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and Will Smith made trends like large coats and sweatshirts, baggy pants, and sneakers significantly popular in male fashion. Hair was often paired with a hat or in a laid-back hairstyle.
Women’s fashion in the early 2000s became much more feminine once again, with low-rise jeans, crop tops, denim mini skirts, and velour tracksuits. The color pink became incredibly popular once again with celebrities like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, and Christina Aguilera expressing their styles through their pop music videos. Celebrity culture was beginning to make a huge turn with paparazzi culture and the beginning of social media.
Men’s clothing got even baggier and casual with artists like Usher and Pharrell Williams pushing for hip hop trends to become mainstream. Teen showsand movies like One Tree Hill, The OC, Step Up, represented what teenagers were really wearing. Men’s fashion was more laid back, which did not exclude hair trends and accessories.
In the 2010s social media truly began to influence fashion trends with apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook being used to express artistry, statements, photography, and of course fashion trends. Leggings, stiletto heels, skinny jeans, bomber jackets, and ankle boots were found with social media influencers like Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Selena Gomez.
Male fashion remained laid back with T-shirts, skinny jeans, and casual wear becoming even more popular with men. Artists like Justin Bieber, Drake, and One Direction became a representation of what teenage males were wearing.
Today fashion cycling is at an all-time high, as the early 2020s consist of people taking inspiration from past decades and adding a modern twist. Everything “old” is new again. Because of apps like Pinterest and TikTok, trends are moving at a much faster pace as fashion is no longer defined in decades but in years.
2024 fashion consists of suede and dark large leather jackets, perfect for the fall and winter. Large pants and sweaters are coming back this year along with the elegant, sophisticated aesthetic taking its course. Shoes like samba sneakers, Adidas, heel boots, and chunky shoes have taken over 2024 shoe culture. Trends like the “clean girl,” “cool city girl” and “coquette” aesthetics have influenced the simple fashion style for this year.
Fashion has become more “gender neutral,” as men and women are found sharing clothing items with artists like Harry Styles, Asap Rocky, and Tyler the Creator taking over the male fashion scene.
Elegance and sophistication is predicted to take over for in 2025 and teen fashion continues to be influenced by past trends with makeup, hair, and clothing.
