Throughout human cultural history, the role of clothing has often been seen as a reflection of the times. From the iconic corset of the Victorian era to the cropped tops of the ’90s, the fashion trends of each generation have shaped the perception and direction of women’s liberation. By examining the lengths which women have gone to in order to expose their individual style and gender equality, it becomes clear that clothing in women’s lives is more than just style; clothing is liberation.
1. Women’s Wardrobes Through History: A Story of Empowerment
Throughout history, women have found several ways to express themselves through fashion. Whether masquerading in the palaces of nobles or draping themselves in black velvet on the streets of a colonial America, the wardrobe of a woman has been a canvas of her unique sense of self-expression.
Medieval Period
- Women during the Middle Ages wore heavy, voluminous garments most often made of wool, designed to keep them comfortable and warm.
- Their garments were worn in layers, with each one representing a marital status. A married woman would have had two additional layers—one for her married life, and one for her marital status.
- The wealthy women of the era would often have garments which matched the colour and style of their male counterparts.
Renaissance Era
- The wardrobe of women during the Renaissance was heavily influenced by the church. Moral regulation of clothing dictated what styles were acceptable.
- Women wore multiple layers of clothing, made of heavy fabrics like satin and velvet, to appear larger and exaggerate curves.
- The era saw the introduction of corsets designed to create an hourglass figure, paired with the sumptuous fabric of the gowns.
Colonial America
- The garments of women during colonial America were quite similar to those of the Renaissance. However, fabric was more easily available, which led to more elaborate and ostentatious clothing.
- Women worn dresses of various shades of black, often made from velvet, and were accompanied with a ruffled collar to signify their wealth and station.
- Divided skirts were becoming more popular, allowing for women to move freely without the constraint of their skirts.
Modern Era
- Fashion today, is much more intricate and varied than ever before. The introduction of ready-to-wear clothing has made it easier for women to express their individual style.
- Pop culture has heavily influenced the choices in clothing today, with trends developing rapidly and changing almost as quickly.
- From the runway to the red carpet, the modern wardrobe of a woman is a visible example of her freedom to experiment and express her unique sense of self.
2. Fashion’s Revolutionary Impact on Women’s Liberation
Fashion has been an integral part of expanding the influence of women’s liberation in modern society. Women have been wearing clothing items that have caused people to rethink and reconsider certain traditional gender roles. Here are some of the revolutionary changes that fashion has had on women’s liberation:
- Breaking traditional dress codes: Women have been challenging traditional dress codes by wearing clothing items that were traditionally deemed as masculine such as pants or overalls. This not only allowed women to feel more comfortable and free to express themselves but has also encouraged people to challenge existing gender roles.
- Promote individual identity: Fashion allowed women to create and express their own individual identities. Women have used fashion to express their personality and beliefs, while also pushing the boundaries of traditional gender roles.
- Redefining gender stereotypes: In recent years, fashion has been a tool used to challenge gender stereotypes that have been ingrained in our society for centuries. Women have been increasingly wearing clothing items and hairstyles that were traditionally viewed as masculine to break these unwritten societal rules.
Fashion has grown to become a major symbol of women’s liberation and empowerment. Women have been using fashion as a tool to express themselves and challenge gender roles that were once seen as traditional. This has allowed for an increasing acceptance and celebration of diversity in today’s society.
Fashion has enabled women to embrace their true selves and break free from the expectations of traditional gender roles. As society continues to become increasingly progressive, fashion will continue to encourage women to proudly express themselves and challenge inequalities and gender roles.
3. The Freedom of Clothing: Breaking Away from Conformity
The freedom of clothing is a powerful statement to the world, signifying one’s individual style and originality. Most notably, it reflects our culture’s attitude towards the nonconformity of society. From outlandish designs to bold colors to statement pieces, clothing has become a platform for personalized expression – and an opportunity to express our creative aspirations.
We live in a world of social media, where trends come and go at such a rapid rate. Now more than ever before, it has become increasingly easy to mimic trends of the moment, rather than define our own unique style. It takes courage to break away from the norm and make statements about the type of person we want to be. By doing so, we also signify our solidarity with other nonconformists, and our willingness to express our own individuality.
Indeed, it is not only about the clothing we choose to wear, but the attitude that accompanies it. We can choose to defy the stereotypes that society has developed, and stand tall in our chosen style. Bold clothing colors such as red, yellow or purple can also be a way to challenge the mundane, and add a daring touch to one’s wardrobe. By wearing pieces that make a statement, we make our position clear on the kind of attitude we wish to promote in life and in society.
We also recognize the importance of organization and simplicity; often allowing the lines and color palettes to speak for themselves. Working with these principles, each garment speaks to its individual creativity and purpose. For example, there is streetwear, to reflect one’s confidence and unique identity; there is sportswear, to facilitate comfort and movement; and there is formal wear, to additionally enhance character.
By fully understanding the power of style, we can choose clothing that reflects our true selves and amplifies our life experience. Through these choices, we make personal statements on our beliefs and preferences, ultimately reversing the homogenization of our culture. Thus, the freedom of clothing is a concrete representation of our nonconformity – and a reflection of our persistence and strength. In conclusion, as we define our independence through style, we redefine our society, too.
4. From Corsets of Repression to the Dressing of Expression
The fight for freedom of choice and expression in fashion has centuries-long roots. From the strict rules that defined the silhouettes women of previous centuries were subjected to, to the overflowing creativity that we enjoy today, fashion helped women make different forms of statements and shape both their personal and public identities.
The corsets of the Nineteenth century embodied the repression suffered by women; these uncomfortable pieces of clothing were used to constrain bodies and to symbolize the lack of freedom and self-expression of the era. Women were not allowed to choose their clothing as every piece of garment they wore expressed a social norm.
The world wars were the catalyst of different kinds of emancipation. During all of the Twentieth century, women achieved a series of rights and amongst them the ownership of their own clothing. Freedom of expression in fashion was no longer a distant dream but a reality they had managed to build.
Subcultures enabled the mixing of different concepts of femininity, each one with its statement about women’s power. In the decades of the Seventies and Eighties, for example, the punk movement included in its aesthetics chains, leather, torn garments and spikes. There was no longer fear to assemble pieces of clothing or jewelry that sparked conversations and freed women of the outdated norms of previous generations.
Today’s fashion provides all kinds of diversified styles: the perfect T-shirt for a day of chilling, the daring outfit for a night out, the vintage style of grandma or the classic piece of today’s trend. The dressing of expression allows women to be whoever they want, whenever they want and no one can tell them otherwise. Furthermore, they are encouraged to experiment, find their own style and be inspired by the infinite possibilities and trends that arise in the world of fashion.
The journey of clothing as a marker of societal gender norms has ebbed and flowed over our history, and the constrictions of corsets and conventions on clothing, have gradually loosened their grip. Women can now make their own fashion statement and assert their power through wearing what they choose. It’s exciting to think of a world where clothing can be a symbol of personal freedom and triumph over preconceived notions of gender roles.
