Women have used dresses as their main style of dress, throughout history. While dress styles have changed, one thing has remained; the dress remains the main representation of women and femininity. For example; Think about the last time she went to the bathroom and saw the picture showing which one is male and which one is female. Was the female caricature in a dress? Most likely it was.
Women moved away from wearing dresses as their primary style of dress starting in the 1960s, when the jean explosion began and the women’s revolution took hold. The 1960s were also full of capri pants, giving women even more options outside of dresses and skirts. Towards the end of the 1960s, jeans and pants were worn more often than dresses. Today there is an increase in popularity of women’s dresses. While women still wear jeans, shorts, and other forms of clothing, the popularity of the dress is on the rise.
The rise in popularity of dresses can be attributed to the popularity of new vintage dresses, such as those worn by Katy Perry and Dita Von Teese. But more than those two Hollywood stars, all the movie and TV stars are flaunting dresses. Vintage styles like pin up girl dresses and pencil skirt styles are part of a growing trend.
Vintage styles are more popular as dresses because, historically speaking, women wore dresses almost 100% of the time. In fact, women even wore “house dresses” while cleaning the house and doing housework. Dresses were the essence of femininity. While women can still enjoy wearing dresses, there was a period of time when dresses were considered the only proper clothing for women, creating a sense of forced style. Deliberately not wearing dresses, or refusing to be forced to wear dresses, was part of the women’s revolution. Now, as women’s rights are more prevalent, though not yet complete, women can feel more comfortable wearing dresses to work, without feeling that they will be seen as too feminine.
Women’s dresses for work are a mix of pencil skirt dresses and, thanks to Michelle Obama, sleeveless dresses. Popular brands are J Crew and Jones of New York. While sundresses aren’t as popular as other dresses, for work, there are plenty of dresses that can be worn in warmer weather and still look professional. Women are choosing classic dress styles for work, like copies of the little black dress modeled by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, women choose vintage sundresses. Vintage sundresses are halter dresses with a Peter Pan collar and ties around the neck. These beautiful dresses can have pencil skirts, like the late 60’s, or the swing skirt style of the 50’s. Pretty reds and navy blue with polka dots or white collars with navy blue bodice.
Plus sizes are available in any dress style you want, including sundresses and evening dresses.
When you are shopping for your dresses this year, the trendy colors and styles are yellows and greens. For evening dresses, an off the shoulder is very popular. Ruffles and lace are back in fashion, but lycra is not. Some great online stores offer cheap dresses and most offer free shipping with a certain purchase amount.
