Western Fashion for Women

Introduction:

West has kind of pioneered in the field of fashion for a very long time. While in the east when it was all about long clothes draping around and less of the skin show, style in the west also consisted of lesser skin show but the fabric and the attire construction was absolutely different. If we date back in the early 20 th century then, fashion in the western world continued the severe, long and elegant lines of the late 1890s. Tall, stiff collars characterize the period, as do women's broad hats and full "Gibson Girl" hairstyles. A new, columnar silhouette introduced by the couturiers of Paris late in the decade signaled the approaching abandonment of the corset as an indispensable garment.

With the decline of the bustle, sleeves began to increase in size and the 1830s silhouette of an hourglass shape became popular again. The fashionable silhouette in the early 20th century was that of a confident woman, with full low chest and curvy hips. The "health corset" of this period removed pressure from the abdomen and created an S-curve silhouette.

In 1897, the silhouette slimmed and elongated by a considerable amount. Blouses and dresses were full in front and puffed into a "pigeon breast" shape of the early 20th century that looked over the narrow waist, which sloped from back to front and was often accented with a sash or belt. Necklines were supported by very high boned collars.

Skirts brushed the floor, often with a train, even for day dresses, in mid-decade. The fashion houses of Paris began to show a new silhouette, with a thicker waist, flatter bust, and narrower hips. By the end of the decade the most fashionable skirts cleared the floor and approached the ankle. The overall silhouette narrowed and straightened, beginning a trend that would continue into the years leading up to the Great War.

In early 1910, a survey of wealthy high school senior students at a private New York City girls' school found that each spent an average of $556 annually for clothing excluding undergarments, and would have spent four times that amount with an unlimited budget.

Women moving out of the Victorian era and into the Edwardian era were starting to dress for a more active lifestyle. The evolving times brought a new fashion trend known as the "New Woman". Active lives required less constricting clothing and required simpler and more streamlined clothing. The new woman was highly encouraged by women's suffrage. Women that identified with this fashion movement were the type of women that were beginning to venture out of maintaining the domestic circle and begin to pursue higher education, office jobs, and participating in active outdoor sports. The new and improved fashions allowed for women to swing a tennis racket, whack a golf ball, but the ideas of "proper" feminine attire reduced the progress of more practical sportswear.

Tailored suits became more popular for the women that were beginning to work in white collar jobs. Tailored suits with no frills allowed for women maintaining an office job to seem more masculine and blend into the male dominated environment. Shortly the number of women attending colleges increased, and the shirtwaist became popular among the average college girl. The outfit worn by the typical college girl was a skirt that was usually shorter than current fashion, and a shirtwaist, which is best described as the equivalent of jeans and a T-shirt today.

Unfussy, tailored clothes were worn for outdoor activities and traveling. The shirtwaist, a costume with a bodice or waist tailored like a man's shirt with a high collar, was adopted for informal daywear and became the uniform of working women. Wool or tweed suits called tailor-mades tailleurs featured ankle-length skirts with matching jackets; ladies of fashion wore them with fox furs and huge hats. Two new styles of headgear which became popular at the turn of the century were the motoring veil for driving and sailor hats worn for tennis matches, bicycling and croquet.

Styling of Western Outfit:

Jeans and Prairie Skirt:

The base of  western themed outfit should include bottoms of either worn jeans or a ruffled prairie skirt for women. One can wear the jeans one may have in the closet or go to a thrift store to find a pair that have a 'used' look. For a prairie skirt, look for one that is long enough to reach till the ankles. It should be neutrally-colored or have a western pattern or stripes. Don't wear anything with modern colors like bright pink or lime green.

Cowboy Skirt:

Choose a cowboy hat to add a strong western flair to one’s western-themed outfit. A used hat may be found at a western wear shop. For women, a hat is not needed. If one has long hair, sweep it up in a bun or twist.

Boots, Chaps and Spurs:

Add a strong touch of western flair by buying a pair of cowboy boots, chaps and spurs. Boots and chaps are found in western wear shops and in equestrian stores. They are usually made of leather, Spurs can be attached to the cowboy boots and will add a fun jingle to each step one takes at the party.

Tops:

What makes a Western shirt a Western shirt? Denim or plaid, snap pockets, fringe and embroidery are just a few Western top staples. If one’s going for classic cowboy, then they can go for a Western dress shirt with detailed embroidery or Western yokes. Contemporary cowboys and cowgirls are all about the plaid, and one can't go wrong with a trendy look with it.

Denims:

Denim is the obvious choice for any serious gaucho. Choose denim staples by brands with roots and heart in the Old West - like Levi, Cinch or Wrangler - to achieve that true rough-and-tumble rancher look. Men's and women's boot cut jeans are great for a laid-back country look, while a darker denim with a more slim fit may be better suited for the contemporary countryman or woman. Today's Western jeans may be simple and unadorned or dazzled with distressing, exposed stitching, embroidery or studs. Rock and Roll Cowboy Jeans and Rock and Roll Cowgirl Jeans are at the forefront of bringing a designer look to western denim. Just remember that true-blue Western jeans are always just that: blue.

Accessories:

Finalize the western look by adding a red bandana worn around the neck. For a fun touch, one could go to a  store and look for a toy horse on a stick that kids use to pretend they are riding a horse. This accessory could become one’s trusty steed that every cowboy needs by his side.

Hats:

The foundation for any country ensemble starts at the top and ends at the bottom - cowboy hats and cowboy boots. First of all, one will  need a high-quality cowboy hat. Originally Traditional cowboy hats were high-crowned with wide, flat brims. Today Western cowboy hats can also feature shaped brims, buckle sets, and modern accents, like prints and studs. One should choose a versatile style by a trusted name brand, in a match-all color like black or brown, or one can start their own trend by showing off their true colors. Feel free to tailor the hat style to the season with a straw cowboy hat for summer days and a felt cowboy hat for the winter.

Bodycon Dresses:

Western outfit not only consists of country outfit, it has variety that ranges across shapes, size and color. Bodycon is one of them. Bodycon, short for body-conscious dresses, are figure-hugging dresses that are characterized by their seductive appearance. The beauty of this kind of dress is that it does not manipulate one’s curves and shows the real and beautiful self. Depending on the colors and sleeves, one can wear bodycon dresses for formal occasions and parties where you would like to look sexy.

A-Line Dress:

'A-line’ is not a term simply reserved for dresses, any garment with narrow at the top and gradually broadening as it moves downward can be called ‘A-line.’ Janet Easter says the ‘A-line is the holy grail for every body shape.’ One may ask, why? A-line dresses emphasize one’s waist and bust and take away attention from hips and thighs. They are also incredibly comfortable and stylish at the same time! You can wear A-line dresses to almost every occasion, depending on the design, colors and additions one makes to the outfit.

Wrap Dress:

Wrap dresses are not just a trend, but a must-have for all women out there. Created by Diane Von Furstenberg in the 1940s, the wrap dress is a single-piece dress that has a three-panel design. As the name suggests, it is wrapped around one’s body. It conceals and reveals at the same time, which makes it one of the sexiest choices to pick from. It can be worn for a range of casual occasions, it also makes for a gorgeous beach outfit.

Maxi Dresses:

Maxi dresses are ankle-length dresses, they can have several different kinds of sleeves for different occasions. These are comfortable, flattering and incredibly flirty. The best part? There’s no need to shave one’s legs. The low-maintenance dress is so flattering that it can be worn in formal and casual situations.

Slip Dress:

A sheath of vapor thin silk held only by thin straps, these were all the rage in the 1990s. Now, they’re back with a twist. Often worn over a shirt or with a blazer, the sexiness attached to the dress is still very much there. The dress, due to its beautifully flimsy nature, has a tendency to flatter the best of one’s body. These make the perfect outfits for clubbing, parties and a fancy dinner.

Halter Neck Dress:

Halter dresses are sleeveless triangular dresses that tie around the back and at the back of the neck. It loosely covers the breasts and chest, while leaving the shoulders and upper back bare. The design accentuates one’s collarbones and leaves people around dazzled. Depending on the color, length and fit of the dress, these dresses can be worn for parties and beach brunches with friends.

Cocktail Dress:

Cocktail dresses are short, often right little dresses worn to formal occasions and parties. It comes in a variety of styles, the most common and popular one being the ‘little black dress. A lot of times, the cocktail dress takes the form of a gown, these are most often worn to formal occasions.

Tube Dresses:

Tube dresses are sleeveless, shoulderless tops which cover the breasts and may differ in length. These dresses accentuate one’s curves due to their figure-hugging nature. Tube Dresses can be worn to parties or can be paired with a denim jacket and worn on a casual pleasant day with a pair of sneakers.

References

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https://barsofbeauty.in/products/floral-corset-bodycon-dress_290

https://barsofbeauty.in/products/solid-mid-length-bodycon-dress_233