By: Mishiko Garcia

Talking about fashion as a unit is very complicated . As we have said before, fashion is a social phenomenon and is also a reflection of the changes and permanences that human beings experience throughout history. It reflects social movements, political conflicts, ideologies, the economic panorama and wars. However, there are specific designers and trends that are considered iconic for certain decades.

In this article we want to take you on a journey through time . Once, while watching the series Mad Men , I noticed that one of the characters — Betty Francis — had shoes that totally reminded me of our SERENA model . I found it fun to review some fashion catalogs from 100 years ago to see if this was repeated, since a big part of Regina Romero's essence is to create timeless models . I was greatly surprised to see this happening in every decade since 1920; Below I leave you the evidence.

This decade is known as The Roaring '20s . It is a period that extends from the end of the First World War to the stock market crash of 1929. It is characterized by economic super-production and mass culture .

During this time the role of women was shaken from their domestic role, gaining much more strength in the public space . With this came movements such as women's liberation and women's suffrage accompanied by typically masculine activities, such as smoking or drinking in public.

This is when the fashion visionary emerges: Coco Chanel . The fashion of these years is characterized by freedom and movement . Charleston music , accompanied by its unique dance and the identity adopted by the women who liked it, the flappers , were one of the great influences on fashion . The outfits were colorful , straight but with many fringe details that gave flight and play when dancing; The skirts were short , above the knees.

For this reason, the shoes of these years were specially designed to be practical when dancing . The most popular were block heels with a small height . They were attached to the ankle or instep with a bracelet. Some, the most iconic, had “T” shaped silhouettes and others resembled a Bostonian , like our Matilda and Masha .

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/113561
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/87264
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/113558
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/113557
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/83337
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/87260
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158757

In the 1930s we faced a post-recession world . Historically, this period is known as the “period between wars” and extends from the stock market crash of 1929 to the start of World War II in 1939, with the declaration of war by Germany.

Unlike the previous decade, the fashion of these years is characterized by being much more feminine . A line with many curves is taken up and the height of the skirt drops a little, in the midi style . Hair is lengthening and hairstyles with waves that frame the face are returning.

In this decade we have for the first time the influence of cinema on everyday fashion . The image of celebrities is “created” and the influence of women like Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich grows greatly, as they serve as inspiration for other women and designers .

One of the most prominent designers of this era is Elsa Schiaparelli . Her famous lobster dress sublimely fuses the surrealist art of Salvador Dalí with haute couture fashion . She is also responsible for one of the most iconic colors in all of fashion history, Schiaparelli pink .

As for footwear , because women return to a more feminine role of housewife, wide heels of medium height are resumed: 7 or 8 centimeters were the rule. The favorites of these years are the pump type shoes with round toes .

There are many curves and many thin straps that adorn the feet, the ankle bracelets , instep and “T” silhouette remain in this decade. It is important to mention that at the end of this decade Salvatore Ferragamo presented what are considered the first platforms in history. ( https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/82443 ).

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/84035
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158429
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/110417

The 1940s are one of the most stormy decades in all of human history. The devastation of World War II (1939-1945) forced fashion to transition to a more austere and practical style . Until that moment, Paris was “The capital of fashion ”, it was the city that dictated trends. However, in 1940 the Germans besieged the city and it was isolated from the world; Therefore, the opportunity arose for North American and English designers to take the fashion baton and begin to set trends in this area.

Pants are beginning to gain ground in women's fashion, they are the most comfortable garment to work with, many women were forced to take jobs in factories.

Footwear , for its part, underwent great changes due to the shortage of materials . Leather and skin , the favorites for the design and construction of shoes, were intended for war clothing , therefore, footwear designers and manufacturers were forced to use wooden, rubber or cork soles .

In addition, the design was also modified: the heels decreased in height . The use of wedges became popular , moccasins , elevated moccasins and Bostonians , which for a long time were used only by men , began to appear in women's wardrobes .

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96516
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96520
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/115549
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/86850
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/170130

After the Great War ended , the world was ready to recapture the glamor that had been lost. In the world of fashion, a dispute took place to see which city gets the title of “The capital of fashion ”. Christian Dior , as the superhero of French fashion , established Paris as the undoubted winner. It is he who reintroduces the feminine and sensual silhouette with the “New Look” . This style is characterized by a small waist , with soft shoulders and fluid curves . Voluminous skirts with midi length even to the floor .

Led by Roger Vivier , Dior, as a fashion house, took on the task of reinventing styles and designs in women's footwear . Vivier was one of the most important designers of the moment: he was the one who designed the heels for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II . Additionally, he is credited with the invention of stilettos .

Shoes became higher , with thinner , more pointed heels . Square and striking buckles , with lots of rhinestones , are also revived , and slingbacks come to dominate the catwalks.

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158789
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158764
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/83278
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/110284
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/80151
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96239
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96238
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/156263
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/100461

The 60's were a cultural , political , social and technological hotbed . All this was reflected in fashion . Curiously, this time is characterized by an important break in terms of fashion trends .

On the one hand, we have the tendencies of a more conservative sector whose inspiration was in figures such as Jackie Kennedy . The business woman look with two-piece suits became popular. Shoes became more comfortable ; The heels were wider and lower . The loafers had their comeback as did the elevated version .

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/156351
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157043
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/129599
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96486
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/169978
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/169987

On the other hand, we have a futuristic fashion , full of transparencies , metallic colors and lots and lots of white . In these years, many of the styles imposed in the 1920s were taken up , such as geometric silhouettes . The go-go style , with the addition of mini skirts, is one of those that is most reminiscent of the beginning of the century.

In this decade they began to use long boots with block heels , super characteristics of go-go girls and the hippie style . There is also a revival of Bostonians for women now with a much more sporty touch that simulates bowling shoes and brighter materials , such as patent leather , began to be used .

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/84332
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96500
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158895
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/96517
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158337
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/110244

In the 70 's we found ourselves in the middle of the Cold War , the conflicts between the capitalist and socialist bloc created an atmosphere of uncertainty on the planet. The fashion response to this was a strident aesthetic , super loaded with color , shine and eye-catching materials .

From the hand of these trends, Vivienne Westwood was born , known as the mother of punk , a violent response to the hippie movement and the social environment . Glam Rock and disco fashion also marked these years with wide palazzo-type pants and crop tops that exposed the waist.

As far as footwear is concerned, it was at this time that platforms became popular . Although the first pair of modern platforms were designed by Salvatore Ferragamo in 1938, it was not until the 70's when platforms became the staple for women , and some men. However, not all the shoes were skyscrapers, there were several models that kept the low heels now with an animal print style and, above all, with many straps .

MET Fashion Archive:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/104785
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/79010
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/104680
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/113745
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/156364
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158323

Now, you can have no doubt that at Regina Romero we create timeless models . What is your favorite decade? When you want to travel there, you can undoubtedly do so with your favorite Regina Romero. Wait for our next edition to complete this great journey .

References:
http://www.fashionhelix.com/article/1164/the-game-changing-60s-fashion-trends-we-still-love-today/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4d8NSO8xcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERm9yL2US6c