Fashion in the 20th century really shows how political events changed culture and society. Here are some important events and how they affected fashion:

1. World War I (1914-1918):

   • The war changed women's roles. Many women started working outside the home for the first time.
   • Because of this, clothing became more practical. Women stopped wearing tight corsets and started wearing shorter dresses that came up to 10 inches above their ankles.

2. The Roaring Twenties:

   • After the war, the economy improved, and people wanted to enjoy life more. This led to new styles like flapper dresses, which were fun and loose.
   • Skirts got much shorter—by about 10 to 12 inches! This change showed that women were gaining more freedom.

3. World War II (1939-1945):

   • During the war, clothes were hard to come by because of rationing, so people wore utility clothing that was practical.
   • In 1947, designer Christian Dior introduced the "New Look," which featured big skirts and defined waists. This style showed hope for a better future after the war.

4. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s):

   • Fashion became a way for people to express themselves and make a statement. Styles began to show pride in cultural identity.
   • In the late 1960s, the Afro hairstyle became popular, with 72% of Black Americans choosing natural hairstyles.

5. Youth Culture and Counterculture (1960s-1970s):

   • As young people protested for change, they expressed themselves through fashion. Denim and tie-dye became very popular.
   • Sales of bell-bottom jeans went up by more than 200% between 1967 and 1972.

Fashion, therefore, offers a colorful way to see how politics influenced society. It shows how much changed over the century!