The First World War (1914-1918) had a pronounced effect on women's fashion in the Western world. Several trends that had roots in the decades prior to the war, were rapidly accelerated by wartime conditions. The most lasting change happened to women's hemlines. Hems which had risen from floor length to ankle length prior to the war, rose to mid calf length by 1916, and have stayed that high, or higher, ever since. Hobble skirts were instantly jettisoned in favor of slightly wider more practical skirts. Several avant-garde fashions, like women's trousers, and short hair, decried before the war as sinful and ugly, were promoted as practical fashions for war work. The Pope even issued a bull during the war declaring that short hair for women was not immoral, and was a necessity for many factory workers. Most women did not suddenly cut their hair, but once it became acceptable to do so, gradually more and more women did in the following decades.
The tendency for female office workers to wear feminized versions of men's suits and shirts (common since 1900) became virtually standard by this time.
Soft V-necklines, considered racy in 1912-14, during a time of high boned necklines, became normal daywear after 1915.
Large numbers of women were recruited into military organizations on all sides, and put into a variety of uniforms, which also influenced the shape of fashionable dress.
World War II brought mass production of clothing as part of the war effort.
After the War in 1918 the Suffragettes finally won the vote in the UK, and in America voting for women was won in 1920. Fashion trends towards a more casual look continued in the 1920's. In the aftermath of the war, people questioned the values of the older generation that had led to the conflict. To a great extent people believed that those values were discredited, along with the generation that spawned it. American culture in particular became very youth oriented, and fashion began to look towards teen and college-age kids for it's inspiration. The "College Man" and "The Flapper" became the new icons of all that was young and fashionable. Women in particular began dieting to mold their bodies into a slimmer, flatter teenage shape and dress waistlines dipped to hip length to minimize the appearance of adult curves. The Brassiere, in breast flattening styles, replaced corsets almost completely.
Women's hemlines got shorter until 1925-6 when they peaked at just below the knee. The influence of Hollywood Silent Pictures made makeup, particularly lipstick, increasingly fashionable. Early versions of "permanent wave" hair curling also spawned a new industry of "Beauty Shops" where women could meet in groups while having hair cut and curled. Western women began growing their nails long, and even painting them with colored enamels, an idea that would have seemed indescribably foreign, decadent and erotic to the previous generation.
As this expanded into the Fifties, it meant that ordinary women had a chance to buy designer inspired evening wear for the first time.
Afternoon to evening dresses. The shawl was a common evening accessory. Party dress a younger woman might easily wear. Customarily, it was deemed inappropriate for young ladies to wear sexy clothing. But even this "pretty in pink" dress accentuates the bust and waist to advantage.
The harem draping was a short-lived look. Although very stylish at the time. Women quickly tired of going out looking like a hot air balloon.
Fantasy dresses abounded. Fueled by Hollywood, style was limited only by imagination. In the Fifties, every woman could be Cinderella at the ball.
The simple lines would be suitable for a teen's formal party or dance. The European styling, while more sophisticated, would still make an excellent choice for the prom.
