Simplicity is the name of the game

The 1930s and 1940s ushered in an era of cultural and economic changes around the world. Following the economic hardships experienced in the ’30s, the ’40s gave people reason to be cheerful and glamorous - and they expressed these emotions in their outfit choices. The fashion trends, during these times, reflected the difficulties and triumphs of the period.

Every new era comes with a new style. For decades, fashion designs and styles have been greatly influenced by economic changes. With everything going on around us today, it is clear that the year 2020 is the beginning of a new era. New and revolutionary ideas are being brought to life and our way of life is being transformed. There are so many discussions about how we can prepare for what many call ‘the new normal’.

Will the new normal bring about change in the fashion industry?

Recently, many of us have spent weeks indoors. As a result, we have gotten so used to being home and wearing comfortable clothing. In fact, even before the lockdown, the demand for athleisure and comfy clothing was already on the rise and it is projected to keep rising long after social distancing orders have been lifted. It is clear that people are prioritizing elegant-yet-casual outfits in their closet collections.

In this look-book, I am wearing an oversized, black, batwing midi pencil dress with a ladder trim accessorized with a silver purse. This dress is inspired by fashion trends in the ’30s and ’40s - as such, it speaks to both the simplicity of the ’30s and the exuberance of the ’40s. 

A midi dress is a dress whose length is halfway between the knee and the ankle. Midi dresses are a way to make a clear fashion statement without being too formal. Combined with the oversized batwing sleeve, also known as the dolman sleeve, this particular midi dress is a perfect blend of casual and formal styles.

The dolman sleeves, in this dress, are cut deep and wide at the shoulder with armholes extending to the waist.

Usually, dolman sleeves can be seen on sweaters or cardigans that women wear at home or during leisure breaks. Although they have been featured in women’s fashion since 1910, the sleeves really became popular in the ’40s.

In this dress, the sleeves provide room for easy movement above the waist and add balance to the fitted draping around the legs. This draping is called a pencil. It is a narrow, straight, silhouette that elevates the hips and tapers on the knees. This gives the outfit a beautiful - yet simple - figure-flattering look .

The simplicity of the dress is also accentuated by its colour - black. In fashion, the black shade is one of simplicity. Although it is associated with a number of historical and cultural moments, it has mostly been used to make an outfit appear smarter, elegant, and attractive.

This trend began in 1926 when Vogue referred to a black Chanel dress as “The Ford” of a woman’s wardrobe. The brilliance of the black shade lies in its ability to amplify the wearer’s look by being distinctive yet adaptable to the surrounding.

If you really think about it, distinctiveness and adaptability are substitute words for elegance and casual. 2020 is ushering in a new era and in this era, elegant-yet-casual outfits are on the rise.

Like in the ’30s and ’40s, once again, simplicity is the name of the game.