<\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn general, the fashion of the western medieval period was one of tall, narrow lines and figures. Trousers or leggings for men and long but practical dresses for women. The skirt as an article of clothing in itself, particularly a short one, did not suit the morals or practical necessity of the times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the East, the traditional Chinese dress of the Han, the Chang (\u88f3), a skirt for men, and the Qun (\u88d9), which depending on the period could mean a type of pleated skirt or the lower skirts in general of the full HanFu dress, would've been a common sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe history of fashion in the East is so varied among cultures and so different from the West that it is difficult to even discuss it at a superficial level. But in general, and using China as the prime example, formality and rank were the main factors in dress, while gender did play an important role, it was a lesser one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Skirt In The Early Modern Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The early modern period (1400s+), saw a great reversal to the practical and slim outlines of the Classical and Medieval world. Large outlines, frills, lace, and the like was common throughout both men's and women's fashion in high society.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe large and sturdy overskirts became popular for women. These bulky but protective garments helped to shield their expensive and impractical gowns from the dirt and filth of the roads. The heavy gown was very popular among women, changing in outline and form several times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By this time in the West, the skirt or dress in any form of men's fashion was almost entirely gone, being relegated to traditional dress, or for specific occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This transition in Western European fashion deserves to be discussed in more depth, as not only are there great changes but interesting differences between the nations (usually around religious lines) that create a very curious contrast. As a simple example, look at the dark and almost foreboding colors and cut of a Spanish or English dress, compared to the light and revealing fashions of the French and Italians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Skirt In The Modern World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n By the late modern period (1800s+), the skirt in the West undertook a series of rapid changes in women's fashion. So far there have been dozens of variations of the skirt in modern fashion, varying length, fabrics, cut, outline, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nUsing the United States as an example, the decades since 1920 have had relatively sudden and abrupt changes. Lengthening, shortening, filling the figure, slimming the figure, shortening again, the changes usually (like all fashion) reflected the times and ideas of the era.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTo this day the skirt remains a primarily female, and feminine article of clothing. The most common cuts are of the shorter varieties (midi, knee-length, mini, and micro), with a great variety of fabric and patterns. Like most modern fashion, the general trends are fairly cross-cultural, particularly at the business and high-end levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Future Of The Skirt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Without a doubt, the skirt will retain its position as one of the most popular types of female clothing. The last few decades have seen a variety of attempts to bring back the skirt, or skirt-like garments to male fashion, but to date have been unsuccessful. When one sees how long ago the division between male and female fashion occurred, it is easy to see why bringing it back is not so easy.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLet me know if you'd be interested in more history articles, particularly any that are in more detail. A topic like this, for example, is fun to skim over, but there is so much to it that we can only get to a superficial level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many articles that could be made about just the skirt in various cultures and time periods, let alone other types of garments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me know what you thought in the comments below, see you next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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