Coco Chanel Fashion Trends

Throughout the history of fashion it is known that every decade creates a symbolic fashion statement within that time period. In the middle of the twentieth century, from 1939 to 1945 a devastating outbreak of the World War ll took place. This period of time saw many aspect of change including effect of war on the design aspect throughout society. Fashion design was a large impact in World War ll, with a great influence on how people dressed and how it reflected their identity. The war created an end to extravagant clothing, and replaced by clothing that was more practical and durable to withstand the stresses of life during this period of time. Throughout this era there was a great majority of uniformity amongst the population all over the

Leading up to World War ll the most well-known name in fashion was Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Chanel’s designs “free[d] the restraints of the heavy corsets and binding undergarments that exemplified the time” (Mason 47). Chanel was the creator of the first “Little Black Dress” which is still seen as a must-have in women’s wardrobes. The international economic depression of the 1930s and the outbreak of World War ll forced Coco Chanel to close her business. She didn’t return to fashion until 1954 when she made a comeback with her signature Chanel Suit and her famous Chanel No. 5 perfume. Coco Chanel contribution to fashion in the 1920s and 1930s left a lasting mark “on the fashion world in the ways of fabric choice, liberation of movement in clothing for women, and designing completely out of the box” (Mason 50).The silhouette for women’s fashion shifted from the masculine outline to a more feminine look. “Rounded shoulders, long spreading skirts, V-necks, narrow waistline, flouncy hats, high heels and bright colors” became the major characteristics of women’s fashion until new designer, Christian Dior. Dior made skirt hemlines that “hung just below the calves” which was reminiscent of the war (Craig 14). This became known as Christian Dior’s New Look. What was revolutionary about his designs was his excessive use of luxurious fabrics and time-intensive labor” (Craig 15). The New Look was the major change in the late 1940s that took place in women’s fashion as it changed from a simple and utilitarian look to a “soft, feminine and decidedly romantic image”(Craig