History of Clothing
Fashion has been defined as an art of dressing for the purpose of adorning the body. It has also been described as the art of using clothes to beautify the person and show off his or her beauty. Fashion is usually considered as a European phenomenon from the Middle Ages onwards; however, fashion-oriented social behavior took place in many other cultures and historical eras, including China and Japan. In fact, clothing and accessories have changed radically during the course of history, and there are various theories on their relationship to each other.
Fashion was introduced into Europe in the 12th century, and it spread by the end of the fifteenth century to other countries. It has been called “the language of love” because the early styles of dressing reflected a love of clothes and a love of beauty and refinement, which led to a love of clothes in general. In France, as well as Italy and Spain, women used to wear elaborate costumes that were very extravagant, yet still stylish and feminine, unlike the “purer” styles worn by men. In addition, women were encouraged to wear new clothes everyday, as well as to be beautiful and refined at every occasion.
As time passed by and the influence of fashion became more prominent, women’s clothing became less expensive and eventually became more affordable for the average woman. In the eighteenth century, when Queen Victoria made her first official visit to France, the French woman was not only dressed to impress, but she was also adorned with an impressive collection of clothes. At the time, this was considered a sign of wealth and social status.
In Greek civilization, the art of fashion was also developed at a much earlier age than in Europe. Fashion clothing was highly influenced by Greek mythology, and the Greeks were known for their elegant costumes. A good example is the Greek god of war, Hector’s wedding dress, which is considered to be one of the most elegant costumes ever.
A typical Greek dress would contain the same basic items as the wedding gown of an ordinary bride. These clothes could be decorated with embroidery, lace and gold, and could have a variety of colors and patterns. Women also used to make their own clothes, and decorate them according to their personal taste, which is very different from the approach used by modern women. Although the concept of fashion was not as developed as that of today, Greek women had a unique style, and they were also very concerned about their appearance and about how they looked.
In addition to being influenced by Greek culture, clothing and fashion also influenced by many other cultures. The Chinese were known for wearing clothes that were heavily embellished, as was the Indian garment industry. There was a strong connection between the Eastern and the Western worlds and both adopted the practice of dressing up, which resulted in clothing that was designed and decorated according to the cultures. This is similar to what can be observed today, where western clothing is inspired by western ideas but made from the same materials.