July 21, 2014

Belts have been popular among men for many centuries. They started with the East European and Russian armies who wore them to improve their stature.  This made their waist very small and they were often ridiculed in cartoons.  The belts were primarily worn by officers, some actually also wore small corsets to make their waists a lot smaller. It’s very curious; to think something that women now wear, actually started from men. Aside from that, the revolution of belts spread and even the Greeks and Roman soldiers wore their leather belts to carry weapons. From that moment on, everyone to this day, seems to have a belt on. 

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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July 21, 2014

In 1940, Christian Dior created the first pencil skirt, which was only a shortened version of the 1910 hobble skirt. Women immediately embraced the curvy shape of the pencil skirt. They quickly started to ensemble their pencil skirts with a jacket, and eventually with a suit. Dior’s pencil skirt created this idea of women embracing a more curvier and therefore more fashionable look. This was around the time the suffragettes finally won the vote in the UK and when American women won the right to vote in 1920. Now, the pencil skirt not only presents a powerful women, but also a curvy, feminine women.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir 

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July 21, 2014

The Hobble Skirt trend started in the early 1910’s, in Europe by a famous designer, Paul Poiret who introduced long skirts that were narrow at the hem, which helped the skirt from flying out of control. But the designer was inspired by Mrs. Hart Berg, who was the first American women to join the Wright Brothers in air. To keep her skirt from flying out of control when she was getting on the plane, she would tie a rope below her knees around the skirt to hold them from flying up. The tighter the skirt, the more fashionable it was. Aside from how tight the hem was, this also made it difficult for ladies to take huge steps; instead they had to walk by taking small steps. This quickly went out of style because of that feature- it was becoming difficult for them to get into cars, ect. Did an American start the hobble trend or was the French designer inspired and created the hobble skirt from it? You be the judge.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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July 21, 2014

It all started with George Henry Bass and ended with the loafer. (*sigh* Oh, Mr. Bass. When are you not amazing? <-- Gossip Girl Reference). Bass first began making loafers in 1936. It was intended to be a men’s shoe, but women started buying them even if it meant wearing men’s sizes! This led to Bass launching a feminine version of the shoe and causing a huge uproar in college campuses across the United States. Ivy Leagues adopted this loafer look. What is the origin you may ask? Well, Weejuns (a type of loafer) originated from Norway. “What does that Scandinavian country has to do with the peppiest of American shoe styles?” A lot. Norwegian fisherman actually made themselves comfortable shoes to wear, the same style as loafers. Bass copied this shoe from the Norwegians and created it for others to wear.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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January 19, 2014

Fingerless gloves have a long history dating back to the early Romans and Greeks. Fingerless gloves were used for allowing a person to complete tasks requiring finger dexterity such as stitching and embroidery. Fingerless gloves started to become very popular within the wealthy classes who liked to display the flashiness of their rings. These gloves were crafted out of fine leathers, silk, or velvet, and came in different lengths and styles. Some even had lovely tassels while others were even richly embroidered

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August 10, 2013

As you’re lacing the tough strings on your boots, you glance out the window and realize that the sky has decided to hail down in sheets. If you love the rain, you begin to rejoice. If you don’t, you get irritated. A groan is about to escape your lips when you realize that you can simply wear the new trench coat you have to protect your clothes. If you’re a man, your pride instantly swells as you walk down the street, looking like a cool and unruffled undercover spy. If you’re a woman, you begin to strut on the pavement looking confident like a pop-star in a music video. But where did these self-esteem boosting and popular coats come from?

English designer Thomas Burberry is generally credited with the invention of the first trench coat. He first created a long, full-body, water-resisting coat made from wool called gabardine in 1880 and then submitted the design England’s War Office in 1901, as they were looking for new raincoats for soldiers. The design appealed to many right away and was sewed in large quantities for British soldiers fighting in World War I in 1917 and World War II in 1939. The design was actually modified for battle use and in fact, the words “trench coats” came from the trenches WWI soldiers were fighting in.  After WWII, this captivating coat slivered its way into civilian life and became very common for businessmen and women to wear to work as it gave off a “Don’t Mess with Me” vibe that many corporate bosses and employees strive to attain. Today, the trench coat has been freed from its normal beige color requirement and is being manufactured in many different, vibrant colors. For both men and women, the original floor length coats have been shortened to the knees or above to create a more chic and modern look that fits in with today’s lively society and is suitable for everyone.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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July 9, 2013

In the middle ages, it was thought that wearing makeup was a sinful act, but having pale skin was a huge. Since the lower class had to work outside, their skin was always darker compared to the upper class, who were fortunate enough to stay home and keep their light skin tone color. Therefore, it was a common thought that the higher status you have, the paler your skin is. Both men and women used white powder to lighten their skin. Many even used white lead paint to accomplish that pale look. Unfortunately white lead was very deadly, because it contained arsenic, which poisoned many women and men. Queen Elizabeth I was the first well-known user of white lead. 16th century women would bleed themselves just to achieve that pale skin.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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July 9, 2013

Spiky hair looks great on men and women and can be done on long, short, and medium hair length. This look originated in Europe during the 1970s and was often worn by British punks. There are many types of spikes, such as the Liberty Spikes, Spiky Crop, and Pixie Crop. Liberty spikes, specifically, trace their origins to the Ancient Britons.This hairstyle was highly symbolic as a badge of honor and manhood: Celts were not allowed to spike or cut their hair until they had killed an enemy. Most recently, the spiky do was worn by Victoria Beckham.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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Image: hamestyles.blogspot.com  

July 8, 2013

Shorts are a girl’s best friend, but they actually originated from boys in the late 19th century. Shorts were not widely worn except by younger boys. Shorts first appeared in England, then later in France, and eventually all across the European countries. Shorts were based on the short trouser uniforms that were worn by the British army in tropical postings. Shorts became the most popular clothing piece until the boy’s fashion shifted more to jeans and casual long pants during the 1960’s. The interesting thing was that in America, shorts were looking down upon and held a negative reputation. As time went on, America started accepting shorts but still only for younger boys to wear.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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July 7, 2013

Here is a classy hairstyle called the “finger wave”. This look can be done on short, medium, and even long hair.  It was invented in the late 1990s in North America and Europe. Finger waves were first started in Paris by designer Antoine around 1920. This look was created to soften the look of the bobbed hairstyle. This look became popular during the flapper period and was also big in Hollywood. Finger waves are a look that women sometimes wear today with a twentieth century touch. Instead of having your hair wet or using your finger, you can use a crimper to get the look. 

July 6, 2013

Have you ever looked at a scarf and wondered where it came from, rather than taking it for granted? Scarves actually originated from Ancient Rome and were worn by men first, who wore them around their necks or tied them around their belts. Scarves were actually called sudarium, which meant sweat cloth. This cloth was not made for style or warmth until women began making them with wool and silk. This article of clothing also traveled to China, where they were helped identify the ranking of officers and Chinese warriors.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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June 20, 2013

Once again we have a trend originally started by men that gradually shifted to women's wear. Leggings originated from Scotland in the 14th century and now a common article of clothing all across the world. Leggings also come in various forms: native Americans wore leggings that were made out of buckskin leather that looked like large high tops. There are so many different types of leggings that we probably wouldn't even think of like the skin tight trousers and capri-length leggings. Leggings come in all types of material, styles, and lengths.
 
Interesting fact: Since the late 19th century soldiers of many different nations wore leggings to protect the lower half of their legs and to to keep mud, ticks, etc. from entering their shoes while also supporting their ankles.
 

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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June 19, 2013

Don't you just love lace patterns? In my opinion it's the most prettiest, classiest fabric of all time. This fabric is even used on wedding dresses and very big in the Catholic religion. Lace patterns aren't just for clothing and are also a big part of home decor. For example the lace patterns found in curtains, tablecloths and Dolly's lace originated in Rome. Later the popularity in lace making increased rapidly throughout Europe. During the 19th century lace fabric had traveled to the native Americas through missionaries.
 Do you have lace fabric in your home or on your clothes? Well, that's because lace has open holes that can be made by hand or machine. Lace making is an ancient craft and comes in handy if you're big on crafts. True lace was not made until the 15th and 16th century. A true lace would look like a thread looped, twisted or braided to other threads and the threads in lace would sometimes be made of linen, silk, gold and silver threads.

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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June 18, 2013

What do most people think of when France is mentioned?  Many sigh over the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, imagine smelling the gorgeous perfumes wafting in the air, pretend to taste the rich and creamy custard of crème brûlée, and try to mimic the graceful and silent performances of mimes. Let’s not forget the classic French stereotype: the muscular man wearing a blue and white striped shirt who has an unrealistically curled mustache and dons the famous French beret. The beret (shown left), is a hat designed mostly for show. It serves no real purpose, as it contains no visor that blocks the sun. It is, however, very airy on the inside and comfortable to wear. Most people generally wear it at a certain angle to look more stylish, like the man in the picture on the right. Oddly enough, the beret actually originated in the fifth century BCE from the people of Basques, who lived (and still do) in the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain. From there, it was adopted by the ancient Greeks and later on, the Romans. No one is really sure how the beret reached France and became one of the various symbols of the country, but it became common headwear around the 1930’s and well into World War II.
 
Interesting fact: The beret is made of one piece of cloth that has neither seam nor binding. Whether you go to France for the fine cuisine or the glittering fashion market, a beret is a souvenir that should be picked up along the way (if you can pull it off, that is) that screams French culture even if it’s origin wasn’t French.
 

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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April 11, 2013

Bows are such a girls' thing, right? Wrong. The first hair bows were actually worn by men in the 18th century, when girls did not wear the pigtails and bows, but as the century passed, girls picked up the trend, too. In the 19th century, hair bows were in fashion and so was long hair for men. Boys started to wear bows with their long hair and girls followed the trend again. The bows were getting larger and larger until the 20th century, when boys started to have shorter hair and stopped wearing them. As bows became less common with boys, they became more popular amongst girls.
So next time you see a guy, just compliment their outfit and advise them to wear a hair bow with it next time ;)

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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April 10, 2013

Have you ever seen boys, men, kids, and maybe even

women wearing what our society has labeled as a purse? Well get those crazy thoughts out of your head and understand that this is not a purse, it's a satchel. Who said men couldn't be as fashionable as us ladies? Now ladies, think about how lost most of us would be without our purses. Where would we put all of our things? Have you ever thought that might be how some men feel, too? These beautiful bags originated from Rome. The satchel became popular way back in the 17th century! The satchel is so popular that it has influenced movies and people all over the world. For example, to all the Harry Potter fans have you ever noticed Draco Malfoy is wearing a satchel or even 

the other wizards in the movie walking around with them? Indiana Jones also wore a satchel and Alan Garner sported it in The Hangover, referring to it as a man's purse. Even Flynn Rider from Tangled wore a satchel! Satchels aren't just for celebrities or characters in movies, of course: they are also for people who need to carry their books around at school or just as an accessory. Satchels are for men and women of all ages!

Written by: The Unified Fashion Team

Edited by: Saba Tauqir

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