Western fashion has been evolving throughout history. It started thousands of years ago with the introduction of new clothing by the first civilizations in Europe. The history of western wear also includes changes in the styles of other countries. This is because clothes are influenced by the country’s culture and religion.
As Christianity spread, clothing for different groups of people came into being. These include clergy, military and other groups. Among these were Native American craftwork, which served as inspiration for western fashion. Clothing for women also evolved, as they needed practical clothing that could be worn in the open and on the ranch.
The earliest shirts and trousers were made of wool and canvas. They were made to fit snugly around the hip area. Later, they were made of leather. Shirts were often decorated with shirt studs or ribbons.
During the 14th century, the button was invented. In the 15th century, the ruff began to become more elaborate. This was an extra piece of clothing that was embroidered and heavily starched. Some ruffs were lined with lace.
The early eighteenth century saw a shift in fashion. Men started wearing pants instead of breeches. Breeches were knee length and often had buttons on the sides to prevent slipping. A waistcoat was also worn. Several styles of breeches were made.
Western shirts became more colorful as the century progressed. Shirts were often embroidered with intricate designs and colors. Many men wore a white wig, to emphasize their status in society. Embroidery also began to be popular for ties and other accessories. Various patterns were used to create a variety of striped ties.
Women’s dresses and skirts also evolved. Initially, they were plain and simple. By the end of the century, they were adorned with sequins, colored embroidery and other decorative patterns. Skirts also had a higher volume and increased in length.
By the late nineteenth century, Western fashion had taken a more formal turn. Initially, only elites wore these clothes. But as the nineteenth century went on, more and more people were able to access these clothes. Especially during the Gold Rush in the 1840s, more people had the opportunity to buy cheap and trendy clothing.
The twentieth century brought about a wide range of styles and trends. While the fashion was more casual, there were still some more formal outfits to choose from. Fashion became more tailored, with jackets and coats being thicker and thinner. Despite the increasing sophistication, there were still a lot of women who preferred to wear plain dresses.
In the 1920s, fashion became more sportswear. Cowboys became pop culture heroes when Westerns were made. During the 1930s, the popularity of “singing cowboys” grew. Early movie stars of the silent western era wore contrasting piping or buttons on their bib fronts.
Before the twentieth century, cowboys wore breeches, which were knee-length. They used leather for boots and other accessories. Eventually, these became the popular choice in western America.
