There are many fashion trends which have symbolized many themes and ideas in history. Some articles of clothing have stood for the sacrifices made by the citizens of this nation in the name of patriotism, while others have symbolized the declaration groups have made against authority figures. In some cases clothing has symbolized both patriotism and an unconventional sway from the traditional rules which authorities have governed as being acceptable garments for specific genders or races. The exhibit planned for display will feature at least one article of clothing from each decade from 1940-2000 that fits this criteria.

According to some popular culture historians, the zoot suit is one of the most recognizable articles of clothing which is known for its role as inciting riots in California and other places in America during World War II. With the restrictions on fabric imposed on textile makers during the war, the zoot suit with its extra wide shoulders and bright colors and wide pant legs was considered not only a fashion statement made popular by African American and Chicano youths, it was also considered unpatriotic and insulting by GI’s who encountered youths wearing the bold suits. The Zoot Suit Riots were caused by some Navy men getting attacked by youths in zoot suits after a verbal altercation. By contrast, the females who were working in the bomb factories wearing denim work suits were defying fashion conventions of their own yet were making history by wearing uniforms which were previously considered men’s clothing. This allowed women the freedom to don the clothing to give them the freedom to accomplish things they previously could not do.

While fashion in the 1950s saw a return to the traditional look for both men and women, Chanel and the invention of the sack dress with the wandering waistline allowed women of all shapes and sizes to look elegant without the skin-tight material to show off unwanted curves. American women wanted to look elegant and traditional without having to show off unwanted portions of their unsightly bodies, and Coco Chanel knew how to appease her customers. It was a return to the traditional American values and cultural norms in order to put the horrors of war behind them.

The 1960s also saw the invention of unisex clothing such as denim blue jeans, which could be worn by either men or women. This decade also saw the rise of the mod style of fashion, otherwise known as the modern style, which included thigh high boots, mini-skirts and tank tops. These types of clothes symbolize the freedom women began to experience culturally and socially during this time period, which is a reflection of the political and social unrest of the 1960s.

The 1970s furthered this freedom for women in fashion. Free love and open political thought was reflected in the fashion of the decade. There is a further development of the unisex fashion with the invention of bellbottom pants which was worn by both men and women which was again reflective of the furthered social climate in the 1970s which began to mellow out in the 1980s.

The one iconic style that would represent clothing from this era would be luxury. Specifically, though this is merely a representation of the time period, the one article of clothing that would be included from the 1980s would be the fur coat, which is a representation of selfish luxury that the 1980s stood for. Everyone in the 1980s was about selfish greed and the fur coat was a symbol of luxury.

This attitude changed in the 1990s, which was reflected in the fashion of the day. It would be described as independent grunge or thug style where individualism was emphasized. The one fashion symbol that would be included in the exhibit from this era would be a Raiders snapback cap made famous back rappers such as Eric ‘Easy E’ Wright. They are a symbol of artists who made music to take a stand against a body of government who hated them.

At the beginning of the new millennium, the fashion trend was Luis Vuitton purses which were considered a sign of status and prosperity. It is almost a return to the luxury style of the 1980s where selfish materialism was reflected through the fashion accessories owned by the consumers of all income brackets. By demonstrating how fashion has been influenced by social and cultural events throughout history, museum patrons can observe firsthand how these ideas go hand in hand. All of these exhibits demonstrate how fashion has demonstrated political and social attitudes throughout history.