Fashion Industry & History

The Elizabethan era 1558–1603, is known for garments made of wool and linen that were heavy and of a striking design including such fashion icons as the ruff and the farthingale.

Flappers were only part of the fashion trend of the 1920s. The female silhouette became slimmer and almost androgynous with drop-waist dresses and loose, comfortable clothing.

Mercari is a marketplace for used or new items. It can be a great alternative to Poshmark or eBay for buying used clothing. Read my Mercari review from a buyer's perspective.

"Made in China" has a bad reputation of being cheap, fast, and poor quality. Is there truth to this notion?

Poshmark is an online marketplace for buying and selling used clothing, accessories, and makeup. Learn how the site works and what precautions you need to take to protect your payment information and privacy when buying and selling on Poshmark.

During the American Civil War, women of the South were limited by the availability of products due to the blockade. Fabric was needed for the military so women became creative with limited resources.

Bustles of the 1870s and 1880s added bulk in the rear of the skirt. These Victorian styles featured narrow skirts, tight bodices, and much ornamentation.

Edwardian fashion refers to the clothing worn in the early 20th century and features an elegant, mature look for women, created around the S curve with its monobosom and a new long line.

"Caribbean's Next Top Model" contestant Gabriella Bernard challenges industry standards of beauty.

Pants and trousers have been worn since ancient times and were seen by the Ancient Romans as barbaric. It was not until the late 20th century that pants became an acceptable garment for women.

Garment and textile production is the largest employer of workers world wide. Though ready-to-wear clothing was once a cottage industry, the Industrial Revolution changed the way we shop and dress.

Men's fashion in the late Victorian era includes styles worn during the Gilded Age and La Belle Epoque.

In the high and late Middle ages attractive styles became more available to a new middle class. Clothing styles changed more quickly due to new technology, Eastern influences, and a better economy.

Fast fashion is cheap, convenient, and helps the more frugal among us experiment with new fashions and clothes. But fast fashion comes with a price greater than the tags on the shelves

A wide variety of clothing styles and materials were worn by women of the historic American West. Garments were handmade and featured cross-cultural influences. Clothing depended on ethnic affiliation, occasion, status, and weather.

Use these clues to date old photographs of women. Fashion changes over time can suggest the date a picture was taken and can help with genealogy research.