Date Event

3000 BC Ancient Egypt

Few drawings, documents, and archaeological findings have been preserved, however
some paintings have revealed the fashions worn by people in various ancient civilizations.
The most distant era dress for both sexes discovered was only loincloths, a vest or shirt,
capes, and robes. Dying was slow to come to Egypt, so most garments were white;
jewellery was added to bring colour, ranging from decorative collars (sometimes the only
apparel worn), to embroidery and beads.

3000 BC Ancient Greece

The Greeks wore different styles from their neighbours to the east. Both men and
women wore long gowns, often in thicker wool, however the draped style conformed to
other places in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region: such as Rome and
Mesopotamia- different from the style of Persia, northern India, and china which were
more fitted, and sewn based upon coats tunics and trousers.
8700- The Stone Ages (Late Stone Ages)
2000 BC
*stone In the late Stone Age (Northern Europeans) made garments composed of animal skins
ages sewn together with leather thongs, of which holes were made into the skins with a thong
ended draw through (research suggests it was pulled through with a tool like a crochet hook). In
in this southern Europe fine bone needles from the same time period indicate that woven
time garments were already being sewn in that area, however communication was low and
frame therefore news of new discoveries didn't travel quickly. The equipment used in the
fabrication of clothes remained simple and always lagged behind the development of
techniques for spinning and weaving (weaving and embroidery were developed in the
ancient civilizations of the Middle East during this period), however an important
advance took place in the Middle Ages when iron needles were introduced in Europe.

400 AD The Romans

Romans began taking rule and became known as the epitome of style and fashion. Their
togas were always to be arranged in a certain manner, which let others know their social
status or rank. They were a draped form and consisted of pieces of material held in place
around the body by knots tied in the fabrics and by belts, sashes, and collars. Though the
styles progressed as new discoveries were made, and as they took over other countries
areas.
1000 The Middle Ages (1000-1300 AD)

Fashion and dress, just like everything else in the period, was dictated by the Pyramid of
Power which was the Feudal System. Medieval clothes provided information about the
status of the person wearing them. There were strict rules about apparel. The type of
clothes that men and women could wear was strictly enforced by Sumptuary Laws (laws
that limit private expenditure) that prohibited unpractical clothes to all but the greatest
nobles and dignitaries in the land. As more people migrated north toward what is now
Europe, styles changed. Women often wore more materials to keep warm, and men
could often be found in armour or plain working clothes.
1650's- Enlightened ages- Baroque/Rococo ages
1800
Once countries in Europe became fully dominant in rule, fashions morphed once again.
Finery became important in establishing one's wealth, and fine materials like silk and
satin were used.
the single most important figure to establish Rococo fashions was Louis XVs mistress
Madame Pompadour. She adored pastel colours and the light, happy style which came
to be known as Rococo, and subsequently light stripe and floral patterns became
popular.
Fashion designers gained even more influence during this era, as people wanted to be
clothed in the latest styles.
During this period, a new silhouette for women was developing. Panniers, or wide hoops
worn under the skirt that extended sideways, became a staple. Extremely wide panniers
were worn to formal occasions, while smaller ones were worn in everyday settings.
Waists were tightly constricted by corsets, provided contrasts to the wide skirts.
Plunging necklines also became common. Skirts usually opened at the front, displaying
an underskirt or petticoat.

Men generally wore different variations of the 'habit la Franoise': a coat, waistcoat,
and breeches. The waistcoat was the most decorative piece, usually lavishly
embroidered or displaying patterned fabrics. Lace jabots were still worn tied around the
neck. Breeches usually stopped at the knee, with white stockings worn underneath and
heeled shoes, which usually had large square buckles. Coats were worn closer to the
body and were not as skirt-like as during the Baroque era.
1628 Clothes in the American colonies
Pilgrims migrated westward to the Americas. Because they had no means for making new
clothes, garments were ordered and sent across the ocean on ships; men wore suits with
leggings, and women always wore long dresses, and caps on their heads.

1790 The high-waisted dresses

In the aftermath of the French Revolution, no one wanted to appear to be a member of
the French aristocracy, and people began using clothing more as a form of individual
expression of the true self than as a pure indication of social status.
Styles continued to morph from the voluminous dresses to softer, sleeker, high-waisted
dresses. It became known as the "Empire waist" because of Emperor Napoleon's wife,
Josephine Bonaparte. the dress has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a
 high-waisted appearance, and a skirt which is long and loosely fitting but skims the body
rather than being supported by large petticoats.
As it moved into to the 1810's clothing for men and women changed, they wore soft,
subtle, sheer classical drapes; raised back waist of high-waisted dresses, short-fitted
single breasted jackets. There were morning dress, walking dress, evening dress and
riding clothes. Their hair was styled in tight ringlets over the ears.
Men wore fitted, single-breasted tailcoats, with cravats wrapped up to the chin. Their
hair was styled with sideburns and in the "Brutus style". They had tight breeches, silk
stockings which were accessorized with gold watches, a cane and hats when outside.
1830 French fashion becomes desired

The Godey's Lady's Book was a top fashion voice in the 1800's. They praised French
fashions, and it quickly became very popular in the United States of America.
1840 Voluminous skirts regain popularity

Stylists began moving back toward the more voluminous skirts from the 1700's. This was
done through the use of petticoats and material.
1856 Synthetic dye is invented

Synthetic dyes allowed clothing to be dyed in various colors. This opened the door to
new, brighter styles.
In 1856, 18-year-old William Henry Perkin was experimenting in his home laboratory,
trying to synthesise the anti-malarial drug quinine (found nowadays in tonic water). In an
experiment with a compound called aniline, one of the simplest chemical components of
coal tar, he found a black substance. On testing its solubility, he accidentally discovered
that alcohol extracted a purple colour, which quickly dyed silk, and was much more stable
in sunlight than any other (natural) purple dye then in use.
Some of Perkins original dyed samples still exist and remain purple to this day. Today,
the worlds dyestuffs industry produces around 500 000 tonnes of synthetic dye each
year
1870 Ready-to-wear clothing

Up to this point, all clothes had been made on a per person basis. Abba Gould Woolson
began the movement to create ready-to-wear fashions where clothes would be made in
bulk and sold to the masses.
1900 Skirts get slimmer, pants get longer

As the turn of the century neared, women's skirts began getting slimmer and a bit
shorter. Men's pants slowly went from knee length to ankle length.
1919 The t-shirt

The U.S. Navy was the first to introduce a modern day staple. They were the first to
create the t-shirt, to be worn as an undershirt.
1930's Shorter skirts and jeans

Between the World Wars, women's fashion evolved to shorter skirts, often just below the
knee. Men's Levi's jeans became increasingly popular.
 The fashion of the thirties is usually overshadowed by the great depression, but the
1930s were full of glamour and style.
1960's A transitional time

The sixties and seventies gave way to great transition in fashion. It became more and
more acceptable for women to wear pants. Clothing became shorter and looser, as
freedom of fashion was given.
1960s fashion was bi-polar in just about every way. The early sixties were more
reminiscent of the 1950s conservative and restrained; certainly more classic in style
and design.
The late 1960s were the exact opposite. Bright, swirling colours. Psychedelic (crazy), tie-
dye shirts and long hair and beards were commonplace. Woman wore unbelievably short
skirts and men wore tunics and capes.
The early 1970s fashion scene was very similar to 1969, just a bit more flamboyant.
Early 1970s fashion was a fun era. It culminated some of the best elements of the 60s and
perfected and/or exaggerated them. Some of the best clothing produced in the 1970s
perfectly blended the mods with the hippies.
By the late 1970s the pant suit, leisure suit and track suit was what the average person
was sporting. Every woman had a cowl neck sweater in her closet and every man had a
few striped v-neck velour shirts.
1980's- Modern clothing (1980's-present day)
present
day The 80's brought about big fashions and big hair, for both men and women. As times
moved away from the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, fashions continued
changing year by year; they continue changing today.
Present day we see personality and art expressed through ones fashion and style, the
well-known trends being labelled clothes, prominent brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Dior,
Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Ralph Lauran, Prada, Burberry, Adidas, Nike are
standouts amongst others. However in that there are so many variations of style, the
acceptance of different tastes, the appreciation for brands other than the ones featured
in New York, Milan and Paris. Gothic trends, Japanese clothing, empowering women with
pantsuits. Present day has brought so much more diversity to fashion, which influences
the way we accept others, showing that we're all different, and that things can still be
'right' and beautiful even if they're not your choice.