Clothing such as women clothing has long marked the social class of individuals throughout history. An individual could tell the income and social status of women simply by the way she dressed. This fact has not changed but the designs of apparel have changed drastically.

The social status of women was told by the number of changes they had in their closet in the 17th Century. Common folks could not afford more than two changes but merchant wives and nobility had many changes that prevented them from being embarrassed by being seen in the same clothes daily by others of their class.

During the 1700s muslin fabric was introduced along with plumes, large ruffles and heavy hats. Pantaloons and petticoats were worn in layers under the overdress and every well dressed woman was accessorized by hats with large dyed plumes outstretching from them. Many times the plumes were dyed to match the color of the overdress.

The low necklines, tightly fitting corsets and skirts long enough to trip over became a sore subject by the late 18th Century. However male designers won the fight to retain many of the revealing and shape forming features of the clothing. This made the subject even touchier in the following decades.

With the 19th Century came rebellion and the shortening of skirts. Women considered removing the tight corsets and bustles but designers won the battle. Women’s apparel was still produced with many of the features that previously enhanced women’s shape. Gradually skirts were shortened and bustles were removed in an attempt to allow women to show their natural curves.

Shortly before the end of the century women began dressing with fewer ruffles and lace and began dressing in more straight line clothing. By this time, sewing machines were a common household appliance and women began making their own, more practical clothing that allowed them to better perform daily activities.

The first decade of the 20th Century brought shorter skirts that revealed ladies ankles. Before the beginning of WWI, designers played with the lengths of skirts and began removing the corsets and bustles that had restricted women for centuries. They became more straight line with a short train.

A new era in the second decade brought pants and shorts to women’s apparel. These were considered the most revealing articles of clothing ever made. They were most popular with those women who could rely on servants to do their daily work for them.

The focus on ladies clothing became much more practical during WWII. Colors began to be toned down to more drab shades and many saw the rationing of such items as material and buttons. This required the use of more belts and sashes for closures. From there clothing began to take on a life of its own. By the mid 20th Century women were wearing miniskirts, short-shorts, bikinis and halter tops. The industry of clothing such as women clothing changed quickly and remains very different from the apparel that our ancestors once wore.

It’s a fact that clothing can say a lot about a person including his or her personality, style, income and social class. Check out our Women’s clothing guide for lots more info on attire.