Evolution of Skirt Lengths
1915: Designers first raised hemlines several inches above the floor when they created the new "crinoline". Many women think this was more practical and better suited to a time when women workforce was at an increasing numbers at unprecedented levels.
1920s: After the war, skirt length continued to rise. 10-12 inches above the floor in 1925 and 15 inches in 1927. But there was also outrage against the the rising skirt length by more conservative parties like religious leaders, politicians.
1920s: After the war, skirt length continued to rise. 10-12 inches above the floor in 1925 and 15 inches in 1927. But there was also outrage against the the rising skirt length by more conservative parties like religious leaders, politicians.
1930s: Hemlines began to fall to above the ankle again.
1940s: There was a regulations called L-85, which issued by the U.S. government, set skirt lengths at 17 inches above the floor in order to conserve textiles.
February 12, 1947: Christian Dior launched the first collection of the House of Dior: New Look. He presented a fashion look featured with nipped-waist jacket and mid-calf length skirt. After the war, women desired frivolity in dress and feminine clothes which didn't look like a military uniform. Christian Dior invented the New Look. Dior's style of elegance dominated fashion and made his name after WWII. It was a dramatic change from wartime austerity styles, and the New Look was a major turning point in fashion history.
1950s: Skirt length varied between below the knee and above the ankle.
1960s: Skirt length became as short as possible while not exposing underwear.
1970s: Many women rejected the midi skirts, refusing the dictates of designers and retailers. On the other hand, more and more women started wearing pants in every walk of life.
1980s: The 1980s was greatly influenced by television and music icons. Mini skirt inspired by cheerleader skirt, and knee-length skirt were prevalent during this period.
1990s: Designers reintroduced the calf and ankle-length skirt to the consumers. The skirts sold well but interestingly people simply were not wearing them. Women chose to wear short skirts and pants instead.
2011: Designers brought back the midi skirt again and injected new life in it. In this year, designers started to highlight its ladylike attributes and wearability. Compared to Fall 2013 runway, midi skirts in 2011 looked more luxury feeling and styled with other exaggerate appearance within the whole look, such as bold make up, large accessories etc.
2012: There were not many midi skirt looks in spring 2012, but there were still a few on the runway. Midi skirts in spring 2012 runway are more featured in low waist.
2013: In fall 2013 runway, midi skirt made a huge comeback. There are mainly three kinds of midi skirt, full flared midi skirt, modern midi skirt, and pencil midi skirt. Also, midi skirt is always paired with cinched waist this season. The midi skirt is more modernized this fall.
This is a video talks about Christian Dior's History and shows how the
extremely popular New Look silhouette influenced other designers and fashion throughout decades. Enjoy!
Where Midi Skirt Falls in Fashion Cycle?
Midi skirts were shown in many designer's Fall 2013 fashion show, so I think midi skirt is rising and in between of the acceleration and general acceptance phases. Many people accept the new length and are wearing midi skirts on the street this fall, so it is definitely at the acceptance stage. But I don't think midi skirt has reached the peak of the general acceptance yet. There are still a group of people feeling uncertain about the length and observing this trend. For next season, I think midi skirt will keep rising and may become more in demand.
References:
http://glamourdaze.com/2010/12/vintage-fashion-history-of-hemlines.html
http://angelasancartier.net/hemlineshttp://people.virginia.edu/~sfr/enam312/fashindx.html
http://fashionhistorymapnco.blogspot.com/2013/01/fashion-from-1930-to-1940.html
http://www.retrowaste.com/1970s/fashion-in-the-1970s/1970s-fashion-for-women-girls/
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-MJACOBS
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-MIUMIU
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-BALENCIA
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-JLSANDER
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-CHANEL
http://glamourdaze.com/2010/12/vintage-fashion-history-of-hemlines.html
http://angelasancartier.net/hemlineshttp://people.virginia.edu/~sfr/enam312/fashindx.html
http://fashionhistorymapnco.blogspot.com/2013/01/fashion-from-1930-to-1940.html
http://www.retrowaste.com/1970s/fashion-in-the-1970s/1970s-fashion-for-women-girls/
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-MJACOBS
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-MIUMIU
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-BALENCIA
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-JLSANDER
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-CHANEL