Comparison and Contrast

When comparing the clothing worn by women in the pre-WWI and post-WWI eras it seems that clothing was not only chose for practical purposes, but as ways of expression as well. Not much has changed in the fashion industry since then in terms of the basic reasons why women wear what they wear.
Prior to the start of World War I women wore long dresses with narrow waists and were full at the front (which became known as the “pigeon breast”). Shoulders were broad with large sleeves, and the dresses had stiff collars. The style of the 1890's-1910 was the traditional womanly figure, or the “hour glass” figure. Also, this was the final showing of the corset as a necessary part of every woman's daily outfits.
After World War I women began to change their appearance. This became the “Flapper era”, when women began to show rebellion against the fashion traditions of the time before the war. “Three important factors converged which would have an impact on American fashion: the ending of World War I, the feminist movement, and improved production methods”. Women wore cropped hair styles and short skirts. “After World War I women's fashions reflected a new more carefree attitude”. The corset was neglected and dresses were made that showed the natural waistline, or sometimes no waistline at all as with the “shift” dress. Because of the major growth in the clothing industry after the war was over, dress designs were simplified and mass-produced at lower prices. The flowing dress style was adapted by most women in society. Designs were made more practical and fitting with the desire for a carefree lifestyle after the war.(http://books.google.com/books?id=hRHUOxramGEC&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=flapper+dress+1920+feminist+movement&source=bl&ots=fJraBnPD6_&sig=nZ0w-5Ai06NxinloQeYspBokwX0&hl=en&ei=3LO7TPHCII24sQPNv4zzDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)