History of Fashion (Part 7) - @iambenavat

Teenage Fashion

From the 1920s to the 1940s teen dress was fairly conservative in
contrast to present-day styles. For the most part teens dressed very
much like the adults of this time. In the 1920s teens wore outfits
such as the schoolgirl cadet style outfit which consisted of a
gathered skirt with a hemline just below the knee. This skirt was
usually accompanied by a V-necked bottom-down jersey knit cardigan,
white collared shirt, and tie, all topped with a beret hat. Other teen
girls and older children often wore cardigan sweaters, cotton frocks,
and canvas shoes. Sometimes they wore sandals with their outfits. In
the 1930s teens and/or young women would dress to imitate movie stars
as much as possible.
In the 1940s, during World War II, natural materials for clothing were
scarce. During this time, clothes were mended when worn and when new
clothes were needed drapes, sheets, pillow cases, and other household
materials were used to make new clothes. During the 1950s, new teen
fashions began to develop, especially between 1955 and 1960. In fact,
this was the period of time when teens began to purchase their own
clothing, which was one of the reasons why they became such an
influence on clothing that was made during this time. Teen girls in
the mid to late 1950s wore clothing items such as an oversized
sweater, buttoned cardigan, and a simple long tweed skirt. Around
their necks they sometimes wore a string of beads along with it or a
patterned fashionable scarf. Also in the fifties, groups of teen girls
also sometimes wore baseball jackets and loose jeans rolled up.
During the sixties, mini-skirts and mini-dresses became very popular.
During the late 1960s long flowing "hippie" dresses were sometimes
worn by teens or young women. These styles along with jeans and
T-shirts and psychedelic clothing were also very popular with youth,
especially those at least 18. This trend continued on throughout the
1970s, which also included the wearing of bell-bottoms. The 1970s was
considered to be all about individual expression and clothing
definitely reflected that. In the eighties, overalls, sweat suits,
Spandex sportswear, cotton jersey dresses, and baseball shirts were
often worn by teens. Additionally, parachute pants, jeans
(straight-legged or narrow-cut), sneakers, and denim shirts or
jackets.
Teen styles from the 1990s had many more variations than in decades
before. As in the 1970s, trends from this time on became more about
individual expression for teens rather than following a trend, and as
a result, numerous sub-groups, often called "cliques" were formed.
From the 1990s to the present day, one group of teens may wear the
usual jeans and T-shirt outfit and other groups, such as punks, wear
ripped jeans, spiked or colored hair, and body piercings. In the
present day, teen clothing has also become quite risqué, although
fashion professionals frown upon certain trends. Overall, clothing is
much more casual and relaxed for teens than in times past. Many teens
are not required to wear school uniforms at all, unless attending a
private school.