The Evolution of Dance Fashion
From loose-fitted garments to high-waisted trousers to skinny jeans, here’s how fashion trends in dance have changed throughout the decades in the United States.
The 1920’s: The Fantastic Flappers
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Colleen Moore, 1929[/caption]The Roaring 20s was the time after World War I and created some liberation for women in the United States. The 20s introduced the “flapper” trend which women wore loosely fitted clothing that showed modernity. The hemlines went to the knee-length level which put an end to the restricting rules that society set for women in fashion.[caption id="attachment_5800" align="alignright" width="224"]
Source: Steve Reigate via Express.[/caption]
The 1930’s: The Show Must Go On
Dance is introduced to the big screen when the 1930s boosted the movie industry showcasing dances like ballet on the silver screen. During this time, costumed dance was a fashionable way to attract audiences to be entertained with styles such as waltz, jazz, and tap.
The 1940’s-60’s: Shop Till You Drop
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Source: PBS[/caption]Broadway arrives in the 40s and 60s as the Golden Age. This was the post war era after the end of World War II. Fashion trends pushed during the economic boom due to consumerism. The standard of fashion in the 50s expected women to be presented as the “homemakers” of society with long, flowy skirts or form-fitting, knee-length skirts that accentuated their figure. In broadway, however, leotards and shorter dresses were more feminine and more desired to showcase the legs for dance costumes. The sex appeal became even more notable due to the big stars of Hollywood.
The 1970’s-80’s: Let’s Get Groovy!
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Source: The Trend Spotter[/caption]The 70s and 80s was the era of Disco. This brought the groovy, colorful, and bold style of fashion. The dance wardrobe became more creative with stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper pushing boundaries with their funky and unique sense of fashion. People began to rock bell-bottoms, skin-tight apparel, chunky sweaters, oversized off-the-shoulder tops, to leg warmers. Hip-Hop fashion during this time began trending in urban areas with baggy apparel and athletic wear along with bright colors and bold patterns. When it came to accessories, sneakers and snapback caps were popularized.
The 1990’s-2000’s: Mainstream Pop Culture
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Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Getty Images[/caption]Pop stars dominated the 1990s and 2000s. The emergence of hip hop introduced street style and punk rock bands brought edgy, dark-colored fashion. From the Spice Girls to Britney Spears to Beyoncé, women in the entertainment industry were dominant and powerful. Personalized leotards showed a sense of modern creativity and short and revealing tops and skirts, it showed the confident upbringing of femininity.
Today’s Sense of Dance Fashion
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Sources: The Lineup, BGR[/caption]Comfort has never been so chic and current. With loose-fitted sweats, crop tops, tanks, and sneakers, athletic apparel has taken the dance culture by storm. Athleisure clothing is a fashion staple for casual and everyday wear. Dancers could sport this type of look during rehearsals or even on stage for their performance. We see dancers in music videos, live performances, and even in the studio recording their moves for their online fanbase wearing comfortable clothing.
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Featured image courtesy of NBC.