General English Level 5 GELEV5 Unit 05 Topic 01.doc  READING 01b The way we were – fashion What we wore Women Around 1900, Paris became the centre of women's fashion. Women all over the world copied Parisian styles even though they were unsuitable for their climate and lifestyle. About 1908 slim figures became fashionable for women and garments were straight and slender with a high waist. Many new social trends started during the 1920s. World War I had finished and people felt free and wanted to have fun. As a result, fashions became less formal. Waistlines began to drop to the hips, while styles became loose and baggy. The women's movement also had a strong effect on women's fashions. For the first time in centuries, women showed their legs. A more masculine, shapeless look became popular, including short hair. Glamour was important, due to the influence of the movie industry and the famous female stars. Men While Paris was unmistakably the centre of women's fashion, for men, it was London. The sacque suit, which had been popular since the mid 1800s, was the "day" dress for gentlemen. Silk ties and black bowler hats completed the look. The tail coat and top hat was the usual formal evening wear. Bow ties and shirts with white "wing" collars were also popular. Black patent-leather shoes were often worn with formal evening wear during this era. Two-tone shoes in white and tan, or white and black, were worn with casual clothing. Knickerbockers ("knickers"), a style of short trousers, became popular casual wear for the well-dressed gentleman. In 1925 the era of the baggy pants began. This fashion would influence men's wear for three decades. 152 QUESTLANGUAGE