Historical Perspective: Clothing

    Throughout all these years, fashion and clothing has been a major industry that has changed numerous times. Almost every generation has had its own trend in clothing. Due to society and not wanting to be different, fashion and clothing has influenced many people to go along with the new trend and wear whatever is popular. Our generation today is hugely different than the clothing worn in the 1920's. Today, we wear comfortable clothes when going out and only wear formal attire on special occasions. However, the same could not be said for the clothing worn in the 1920's. During the early 1920's, people would wear formal clothing when going out on a casual day. For parties especially, they would dress extravagantly. Women would dress in dresses with straight bodices and almost all of them had the haircut of a "bobbed" hairstyle. Those who were wealthy, would usually change their dresses for the afternoon or for a simple drink of tea. The same would go for the men, who would always wear suits. The clothing worn in the 1920's ties with the clothing that the characters would wear in The Great Gatsby. First, the novel takes place during the 1920's, therefore they have the same fashion trend. Second, during Gatsby's parties, we are informed how the women dress in their best dresses and have a bob haircut. We are also shown how extravagantly they dress at Gatsby's parties. Thirdly, in one of the scenes, when Myrtle is at her sister, Catherine's house, she changes into a different dress just for the afternoon. We are shown how the women and men dress in The Great Gatsby during the 1920's because of the reputation they have to keep up, especially those who are wealthy. The novel itself shows us the clothing that was worn and how much attention was put onto it, unlike present day today.