The relationship between clothing styles and developments in clothing creation throughout history is a complex and interconnected one. Over time, advancements in technology, changes in societal attitudes, and shifts in fashion trends have influenced the way clothing is designed, produced, and worn. This essay will explore the evolution of clothing creation, focusing on the impact of ready-made clothing, advancements in modern clothing technology, and the history of tailoring.
Before the American Civil War, most clothing was made by tailors or individuals at home. Ready-made apparel existed, but its variety was limited, and garments were only available in predetermined sizes (National Institute of Standards and Technology). However, the Civil War became a turning point in the historical development of men's ready-made clothing. As the demand for uniforms grew, manufacturers started building factories that could mass-produce clothing at a fraction of the cost of home sewers. This led to the development of standard sizes based on soldiers' measurements (National Institute of Standards and Technology). These standard sizes persist today in the names of fits and cuts in men's suits, shirts, and jeans (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Similarly, the mass production of women's clothing developed more slowly, but factors such as new industrial production techniques, the rise of the advertising industry, and the changing roles of women in society contributed to the success of the women's ready-made apparel industry (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
Advancements in modern clothing technology have had a significant impact on the relationship between clothing styles and developments in clothing creation. Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows fashion designers to express their creativity and view designs on virtual models of various shapes and sizes (Anthony Kazanjian). This software has revolutionized the garment design process, making it more efficient and saving time and resources that would have been spent on manual creation and adjustment of prototypes (Anthony Kazanjian). Moreover, the emergence of 3-D printing technology is starting to impact everyday clothing. Designers can experiment with 3-D printed apparel, and companies can offer custom-designed clothing based on a customer's body shape and measurements (Anthony Kazanjian). Although widespread use of 3-D printing for clothing production may still be a ways off, the ability to create customized clothing is becoming more feasible as technology evolves (Anthony Kazanjian).
Additionally, the history of tailoring showcases the artistry and evolution of clothing creation. Tailoring dates back to the early Middle Ages, where tailors would skillfully fit men with padded linen undergarments used to protect armor (Luxtailor). Over time, tailors expanded their expertise to include creating outerwear garments such as capes, cloaks, and coats (Luxtailor). They used various materials, including stiff linen, canvas, and even whalebone, to give garments shape (Luxtailor). Luxury garments were often lined with finer materials like fur or satin, emphasizing the skill and craftsmanship involved in tailoring (Luxtailor). In the 1800s, tailors began creating trousers, waistcoats, and sportswear, with wool becoming a staple fabric in menswear (Luxtailor).
In conclusion, the relationship between clothing styles and developments in clothing creation has evolved throughout history. The introduction of ready-made clothing, advancements in modern clothing technology, and the artistry of tailoring have all played crucial roles in shaping how clothing is designed, produced, and worn. From the standardization of sizes in men's ready-made clothing to the use of CAD software and 3-D printing technology in modern fashion, these developments have influenced the availability, customization, and convenience of clothing. Understanding the historical and technological factors contributing to clothing creation allows us to appreciate the evolution of fashion and its impact on our everyday lives.
Write an informational essay about the relationship between clothing styles and developments in clothing creation throughout history. Your essay must be based on ideas, concepts, and information from the “Clothing Over Time” passage set.
Be sure to include:
A thesis statement
Organized paragraph structuring
Text evidence from the sources provided
Using at least 3 sources provided
Source 1: Ready-Made Clothing
by National Institute of Standards and Technology
Before the American Civil War, ready-made apparel existed but its variety was limited. Coats, jackets and undergarments were only available in predetermined sizes. Most clothing was made by tailors,
by individuals, or by their family members at home. The Civil War was a pivotal event in the historical development of men’s ready-made clothing. At the outset of the Civil War, most uniforms were custom-made in workers’ homes under government contract. As the war continued, however, manufacturers started to build factories that could quickly and efficiently meet the growing demands of the military. These factories were able to make uniforms for a fraction of the cost of home sewers. Mass-producing uniforms necessitated the development of standard sizes. Measurements taken of soldiers revealed that certain sets of measurements tended to recur with predictable regularity. There were certain ratios of shoulder to waist measurements that occurred more frequently than others. After the war, these measurements were used to create the first commercial sizing scales for men. Today these ratios persist in names of fits and cuts in men’s suits, shirts, and denim jeans. A men’s store might offer a slim fit, a classic fit and a relaxed fit to suit various tastes and body types.
The mass production of women’s clothing developed more slowly. Women’s outfits were generally custom-made well into the 1920s. At that point a number of factors came together to contribute to the success of the women’s ready-made apparel industry. New industrial production techniques were developed, driving supply, and the advertising industry rose in prominence, driving sales. Most importantly, demand was created in the form of the rising urban professional class. Single and married women found themselves in new relationships to domestic life, work life, and fashion. Many spent less time in the home and all associated hand-made clothes with an older, more rural lifestyle. They no longer shopped at the town’s general store for bolts of calico fabric. Chain stores and mail order catalogs offered multiple ways to access the new clothes. Ready-made articles of clothing were portrayed as modern and fashionable, if not sturdy. The new consumer industries were rapidly redefining the way Americans viewed mass-manufactured goods. The purchase of mass-produced clothing was sometimes seen as a loss of individuality. However, American women began to accept ready-made merchandise as convenient and affordable. They were up-to-date fashion items that could be easily replaced as styles changed. Making clothes more quickly meant styles did change more frequently as well. It took far less time for a designer to sketch a pattern and have an item made than ever before.
However, the new ready-made clothing often fit poorly. A tailor might take two dozen measurements when making a men’s suit. For example, determining the distance from the base of the neck to the middle of the shoulders is critical for an exact fit. Women’s clothes are less straightforward and early male pattern makers did not know where to begin. Each manufacturer created its own unique and sometimes arbitrary sizing system. These systems were based on inaccurate body data or no body data at all. Different manufacturers frequently labeled garments of widely different dimensions the same size. This situation resulted in additional expenses for alterations. It also meant large volumes
Source 2: Advancements in Modern Clothing
by Anthony Kazanjian
Rapid advancements in computer technology during the late 20th and early 21st centuries have given today’s fashion designers unprecedented freedom to express their creativity. In previous generations, garments were designed by hand, using pencil sketches and traditional math-based pattern sizing. Today, designers often have computer-aided design (CAD) software at their disposal to determine textile weaves and sizing designs. CAD software allows them to view designs of clothing on virtual models of various shapes and sizes. This makes for a much more efficient garment design process, saving companies both time and resources that would have otherwise been spent on manually creating and adjusting prototypes.
The impact of CAD software on everyday clothing is becoming more prevalent as the software is linked to 3-D printing technology. While other industries, such as aerospace or architecture, have been using this technology for decades, it has now started to spread to the world of fashion. Designers have been experimenting with 3-D printed apparel, and this could revolutionize the experience of buying clothes for the average consumer. For example, a swimwear company can now offer custom-designed bathing suits on its website, using nylon and a 3-D printer to print out each order to a customer’s body shape and measurements. In addition to the use of 3-D printers by industry specialists, machines for home printing are becoming more and more affordable. If this trend continues, it will allow consumers to print out objects like bracelets in a matter of minutes from the comfort of their homes. Though it may be a while before anyone can print out his or her own complete wardrobe, the ability to create customized clothing is becoming more of a reality as technology evolves. One day, we may all be wearing our own one-of-a-kind, perfectly tailored clothes.
Source 3: History of Tailoring
By Luxtailor Jan 19, 2022The artistry of tailoring is all together defined by the art of designing, cutting, fitting and finishing clothes.
The profession of tailoring dates back to the early Middle Ages in European towns where linen armorers would skillfully fit men with padded linen undergarments used to protect the interior of chain mail and plated armor. During that time, men’s clothing consisted of tunics and hosiery.
In the 1500 and 1600s, tailors were obliged to create a variety of outer wear garments that included capes, cloaks and coats. They used stiff linen and canvas for interlining to give clothing shapes and even used whalebone for stiffer elements such as corsets until the 19th century.
Luxury garments were lined with finer quality material such as fur or satin at the time. Tailors in the 1800s would create trousers, waistcoats and sportswear by that time. Wool was a staple fabric in menswear which replaced the use of silks and velvet fabrics used in previous centuries. Wool to this day is a staple fabric for many custom suits for both menswear and womenswear.
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