Retro fashion encompasses an array of looks; please reference our vintage fashion timeline for the most significant influences.

Fashions changed relatively slowly in the 17th century; but with the demise of the rigid farthingale petticoat, the trend in the mid-1620s to mid-1630s was toward a more bulky, soft silhouette. To allow for easier movement, waistlines on doublets and women's bodices rose higher, and the padding on both doublets and bodices was removed. The starched ruffs and whisks that once encircled the neck were replaced with the softer, more comfortable falling and standing bands. Women's sleeves began to rise, showing first the wrist and then the entire forearm. During this period dresses could be made up of three separate parts: a bodice, a petticoat, and a gown over the top (which might be gathered up to reveal the petticoat below). Another style was to wear the gown hanging from the shoulders. >> 17th Century Dress As with men’s fashion, the ruff gave way to the broad falling collar edged with elegant handmade lace. Only in the Dutch United Provinces (now the Netherlands) was the ruff retained as the neck wear of choice. Men's breeches lost their bagginess and became slimmer and easier to move in. People continued to value rich materials and exquisite design, but they set aside the rigid formality of earlier years and didn't add ornament for ornament's sake. Overall, the trend through the first sixty years of the century was toward looseness, comfort, and elegance. The fabric used in European fashionable dress in the 17th century was produced in many countries, with silk satin and velvet designed and woven in France and Italy, and linen for shirts and smocks made in the Netherlands and Germany.

We recently visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art and encountered this fashion timeline - all constructed of plain cotton fabric and onl...

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What was ancient Chinese fashion like? This infographic shows how Chinese women's fashion evolved over time as dynasties changed.

Hello! I was asked to post this infographic by House of Fraser, and it has some interesting stuff in it I didn't know, so I thought I'd share. Now I know in the past when I've been asked to share things like this (below) I've had some quite strong comments about wearing what the &!@$ you like, and good for you. These are guides to use if you want them, otherwise feel free to ignore them. Also, I have to point out for clarity's sake that Tess Holliday is no longer a hero of mine, so please don't think posting this means I endorse her. There have been allegations made (serious allegations by hundreds of people) that she has defrauded them out of money. Just Google it, that's all I'm going to say on the matter. Yes, I AM a fan of what she's done for the plus size movement, but I'm not a fan of her personally any more. Who else thinks the mention of the word stout used to describe plus size people in past times is hilarious?! It makes me think of the nursery rhyme 'I'm a little teapot'. Haha. Shop House of Fraser. Leah xoxo

Time comes and goes, Fashion comes and goes...Or I should say some pop fashion disappeared without a footprint. But when Fashion married with art, it stay with us forever!

Meticulously compiled using a number of historic fashion plates, this timeline showcases women's fashion history from 1794-1970.

Back in the days before the camera was king, fashions were portrayed to the masses through artfully illustrated drawings. Somebody has collected a series of these beautiful sketches, documenting the changes in western fashion all the way from 1784 to 1970, when the artform finally became obsolete.

For this post, I am focusing mainly on the Mid to Late Victorian Era (1855-1901). However, there are tricks for all eras and I will be covering them soon! Corsets are an essential part of almost an…

Part of preparing for the upcoming Fashion Timeline exhibit has been creating illustrations charting the changing fashion silhouette. Above are thirty-five silhouettes showing hemlines rising and …