Fashion Gone Wrong: 10 Ugly Dress Styles in Fashion History

Every era has its “what were they thinking?” fashion moment, and women's dresses are no exception. From puffed sleeves that could double as life vests to patchwork disasters that looked like Grandma’s quilt exploded, vintage clothing hasn’t always been chic.

Scalloped babydoll dress.

Let’s take a nostalgic, slightly horrified look at the worst fashion failures in the history of dresses.

1. Baby Doll Dresses with Puffed Sleeves

Ah, the 1960s and early ’70s, when “looking youthful” meant dressing like a toddler. These short, frilly baby doll dresses came with oversized puffed sleeves and high hemlines that screamed, “I’m five, but fashionable.” Retro? Yes. Flattering? Rarely. They made even the most confident woman look like she wandered out of a Victorian nursery.

2. Drop-Waist Flapper Dresses

The roaring 1920s gave us jazz, cocktails, and… a waistline that disappeared. The drop-waist flapper dress was revolutionary but not exactly body-friendly. It hung straight down from the shoulders like a beaded curtain, turning every shape into a rectangle. Chic in theory, but most of us would rather keep our waist where it belongs, above the knees, thank you very much.

3. Jellyfish-Shaped Smocks

Somewhere in the shapeless sea of 1980s maternity fashion, these floaty smocks were born. Picture layers of fabric ballooning out from the shoulders, giving off “underwater creature” energy. Designers called it comfort; the rest of us called it camouflage. The only style statement here was, “I gave up.”

4. Patchwork Hippie Dresses

The 1970s were all about peace, love, and weird fabric combinations. Patchwork hippie dresses looked like every leftover scrap from a craft fair stitched into one garment. While boho style can be beautiful, these were more “I lost a fight with a sewing machine.” Vintage charm? Maybe. Fashionable? Never.

5. Shoulder-Pad Bodycon Dresses

The 1980s were obsessed with power and angles, which explains a lot. Combining clingy bodycon fabric with linebacker-level shoulder pads was… bold. The result? A silhouette that said “corporate robot in a cocktail dress.” Retro style lovers might call it iconic; the rest of us just call it intimidating geometry.

6. Tube Dresses with Elastic Tops

Ah, summer in the early 2000s, a time when fashion meant simplicity and a good tan. Tube dresses were literally a stretchy band of fabric that defied logic and gravity. One wrong move and poof, a wardrobe malfunction. Not the most secure form of vintage clothing, unless you enjoy living dangerously.

7. The Muumuu as Daywear

Originally a Hawaiian comfort dress, the muumuu was never meant for the office or brunch afternoon. However, in the 1970s and again in the 1990s, it somehow became a casual day look. Translation? An oversized tent with a floral print. Cosy, yes. Stylish? Only if your fashion icon is a beach umbrella.

8. Cartoon T-Shirt Dresses

Who decided it was cool to wear a giant Bugs Bunny or Tweety Bird print as a full-length dress? The 1990s did. These oversized cartoon T-shirt dresses blurred the line between sleepwear and streetwear. Fun for Saturday morning cartoons, less so for grown-up errands.

9. Apron Dresses Over Jeans

The early 2000s layering: fashion’s awkward phase. The combo of the apron dress over jeans looked like two outfits fighting for dominance. Denim under a frilly pinafore? It was supposed to be edgy, but it mostly said, “I couldn’t decide what to wear, so I wore everything.”

10. Prairie Ruffle Dresses

Think Laura Ingalls Wilder meets wedding cake. The 1980s brought back prairie-style dresses covered in ruffles, lace, and florals that could overwhelm a bouquet. They were meant to be sweetly vintage but often landed somewhere between “frontier bride” and “tablecloth.”

Fashion Fails Are Just Lessons in Style

Every fashion flop tells a story, and sometimes, that story is “don’t try this again.” Whether they are retro experiments gone wrong or vintage styles that simply didn’t age well, these dress disasters remind us that trends fade, but humour (and hindsight) are timeless.

So next time you dig through your closet and cringe at an old dress, remember this: history has seen worse fashion disasters.

Articles of interest

The Ugliest Hats and Headwear in Fashion History
From Corsets to Crotchless Chaos: A Humorous Peek into Vintage Undergarment Disasters
7 Famous Fashion Designers of the 1960s

The Ugliest Hats and Headwear in Fashion History

When we think of vintage or retro, what comes to mind? Elegance. Class. Timelessness. Style.

Thoughts of old Hollywood stars wearing beautiful headwear and stylish fifties women in hats that turn heads. But not every hat from the past was a fashion win.

Some hats were just plain weird. Others were too over-the-top to ever be considered good. A few were so ugly, we still laugh about them today.

Let’s look at 10 of the ugliest hats and headwear styles that made their mark in fashion history for all the wrong reasons.

Ugly hats. Unhappy faces. (Image, CHATGPT-generated)

Fez Hats

When: 1800s and later in pop culture.

What they looked like: A round, flat-topped red hat with a tassel.

Why is it ugly? Because it looks like a fancy flowerpot with a string. The fez became popular in vintage men's fashion, but let’s be honest, it makes most people look like they’re trying too hard to be quirky.

Fez hat (Source: Wikimedia)

Conehead Hennins (Medieval Princess Hats)

When: 1400s (Middle Ages).

What they looked like: A Tall, cone-shaped hat with fabric hanging down from its tip.

Why ugly? This hat made your head look like a traffic cone. Medieval noblewomen wore them to look elegant, but to be honest? They just looked silly, like stupid birthday hats gone wrong.

Neon Plastic Visors

When: 1980s and 1990s.

What they looked like: Bright, see-through visors worn for sun protection.

Why ugly? Because the retro-style hats made you look like a lifeguard in a kids' cartoon. They didn’t block the sun properly. And the colours? Lawd! They were an eyesore and came in weird colours, like Neon pink, green, and orange.

Bejewelled Trucker Hats

When: Early 2000s.

What they looked like: Foam-and-mesh trucker hats covered in gems or glitter.

Why ugly? Trucker hats were already bad. Adding fake jewels and glitter words like “Diva” or “Hot Mess” didn’t help either. It was a confusing mix of glam and gas station fashion.

Coonskin Caps

When: 1700s and two centuries later, in the 1950s (thanks to TV shows).

What they looked like: Hats made from animal fur, often with the poor creature's tails attached.

Why ugly? These hats looked like a raccoon was napping on your head. They were meant to show you were outdoorsy, but rather, they made you look like you forgot to finish dressing for the costume party.

Pillbox Hats with Netting

When: 1950s to 1960s.

What they looked like: Small, round hats that sit on top of the head, often with a short veil made of netting.

Why ugly? Some people successfully pulled these off (hello, Jackie O). But most pillbox hats looked like you were balancing a frosted cake on your head, with a little net curtain that didn’t actually do anything but look out of place.

Flowerpot Hats

When: Mid-20th century (1950s).

What they looked like: Hats shaped like actual flowerpots, without the plants.

Why ugly? Because they really looked like flowerpots. These retro hats were stiff and clunky, sitting too high and too awkwardly on the head. Not flattering. Not fun. Just weird.

Fur-Lined Bucket Hats

When: 1990s and 2000s.

What they looked like: Floppy bucket hats lined with fake fur.

Why ugly? Imagine wearing a fuzzy slipper on your head. That’s how ugly this hat looked. It was hot, heavy, and so un-stylish, unless you were trying to look like a confused teddy bear.

Mini Fascinator Hats

When: The Early 1900s to the present day (still seen at weddings and horse races).

What they looked like: Tiny hats or decorations on a headband, often with feathers.

Why ugly? Because they looked so comical. These tiny hats often resemble a craft project gone awry. They're too small to be real hats, and too loud to ignore. Great if you don't mind people asking, “What is that on your head?”

Oversized Puff Berets

When: 1980s.

What they looked like: Large, soft, puffy berets.

Why ugly? The hats looked like someone had put a pillow or a giant croissant on your head. They were big, heavy, and never sat right. More like baked goods than fashion.

Weird Hats, Off Forever

Fashion wasn't, and sometimes, still isn’t always pretty, and these ten headwears prove it. Over the years, some trends just never made sense, and definitely didn’t age well. While we love exploring retro styles and vintage-inspired fashion, not everything deserves a comeback.

These ugly hats had their moment, but we are happy to leave them in the past, or at the bottom of the fancy-dress costume box.

Copyright © Viryabo 2025. All rights reserved.

Other articles of interest

From Corsets to Crotchless Chaos: A Humorous Peek into Vintage Undergarment Disasters

Ugly Vintage Clothing Styles We Will Hate to See Come Back

7 Famous Fashion Designers of the 1960s

From Underwear to Outerwear: The Return of Vintage Bustiers and Corsets

Once worn under layered Victorian gowns, bustiers and corsets have made a comeback, but this time as stylish, delectable outerwear. These vintage-inspired women’s clothing items, designed to sculpt the feminine silhouette (the figure 8), have now blended historical elegance with modern-day style. This post is about how each of them evolved, what makes them different, and how to wear them beautifully.

To achieve the hourglass figure, women had to wear bustiers and corsets 
that squeezed their bodies painfully, into shape. 

Bustiers: The Feminine Power Piece

Once considered fine lingerie worn by elite women who desired structure and support, bustiers were originally crafted with whalebone or reeds. Its purpose was to lift the bust and smooth the torso. Today, designers achieve the same shaping effect with steel or plastic boning that provides comfort, without sacrificing structure.

Modern Fabrics & Styles

Modern bustiers are made in a range of materials like satin, velvet, brocade, mesh, and lace. Embellished, embroidered, or minimalist, bustiers are as versatile as they are beautiful.

 

Style Tips for Wearing a Bustier

• Casual Look: Pair a bustier with high-waisted jeans, tailored shorts, or a mini skirt for a chic off-duty style.
• Formal Look: For evening wear, match it with a velvet skirt or wide-leg trousers and a blazer.
• Layered Look: Use it under a sheer blouse for a modest yet stylish effect.

A trendy fashion-forward vintage-inspired underbust corset.
It is worn as an outerwear garment over a vintage-style bustle skirt.

Corsets: The Classic Waist-Sculptor

Corsets date back to the 16th century and were once essential to shaping the perfect hourglass figure. Unlike bustiers, corsets are used as waist-cinchers and for posture support. The early versions used rigid boning and front busks for structure, but today’s corsets come with steel or mesh panels for comfort and flexibility.

Style Tips for Wearing a Corset

• Everyday Glam: Style over a crisp shirt or dress to accentuate the waist.
• Evening Wear: Opt for a satin or brocade corset with tailored pants or a full-circle tulle skirt.
• Subtle Sophistication: Layer under a blazer or structured jacket for a refined, feminine touch.

A burlesque vintage-inspired corset/bustier made from lace and satin.
It has steel bones and a demi-cup for a full lift and support.

Vintage-inspired bustiers and corsets are no longer just undergarments; they have evolved into statement pieces that convey confidence, shape, and individuality. Whether styled for elegance or for informal wear, these vintage-inspired classics prove that fashion and style never truly fade away. They simply reinvent themselves.

Articles of interest

From Corsets to Crotchless Chaos: A Humorous Peek into Vintage Undergarment Disasters 

Slimming Underwear for Plus-Size Brides and Full-Bodied Women (Vintage vs Modern)

History of Women's Underwear: When Undergarments Became Intimate Wear
The Ugliest Hats and Headwear in Fashion History

From Corsets to Crotchless Chaos: A Humorous Peek into Vintage Undergarment Disasters

When Fashion Forgot Comfort (and Logic)

Fashion sometimes spins so fast it tosses logic right out the window. What we call vintage-inspired one decade can become “Why, dear Lord?” the next.

It IS true that some retro revivals earn a deafening applause (hello! 1950s pin-up girl’s lingerie), but others definitely deserve to stay hidden away in grandma’s attic, preferably under a huge pile of old girdles.

Now grab a cup of tea (or courage) as we dive into history’s most outrageous, uncomfortable, and unintentionally hilarious undergarments.

Victorian Corsets: The Rib-Crushing Romance

Victorian women loved a cinched waist almost as much as they loved fainting and smelling salts. These corsets squeezed organs into origami, proving that “snatched” once meant “I can’t breathe.”

Bullet Bras: Locked, Loaded, and Pointing at Trouble

The fifties gave us perky styles and perkier brassieres. These vintage lingerie icons made women look like they were armed, ready for battle. Madonna tried to resurrect them; humanity quietly said, No, thanks.

Open-Crotch Pantaloons: The Cooling Breeze Nobody Asked For

Sold as “practical” for bathroom breaks in the 19th Century, they mostly invited embarrassing moments and unexpected ventilation. Proof that convenience and dignity rarely share a dressing room.

Bust Improvers: DIY Push-Up Pandemonium

Before padded bras, women stuffed their undergarments with cotton wool and rags. One sneeze, and your “assets” could go airborne. Early innovation? Yes. Effective? Absolutely not!

Steel Crinolines, Hoop Dreams, and Bruised Knees

Not exactly underwear, but definitely under there. These metal contraptions made sitting impossible and staircases life-threatening. A personal space miracle, though, because no one could stand too close.

Whalebone Girdles. The Sea Gave, Fashion Took

Made from actual whale parts. Heavy, rigid, and fishy in both senses, nothing screams “vintage fashion inspired” like the faint scent of the ocean while struggling to breathe.

Lace Boxer Briefs for Men — The Briefest of Trends

Someone thought lace would make men’s underwear “elegant.” The idea lasted one wash cycle and one collective cringe.

Thong Leotards. The 1980s Misfire

High-cut and permanently wedged. Proof that even modern undergarments can outdo vintage ones in sheer discomfort.

Victorian Split Drawers, A Drafty Disaster

An open design that made restroom trips easy but modesty a myth. Some inventions simply shouldn’t be revisited. Ever!

Thoughts? Some Fashion Is Pain, But At Least It’s Funny

From rib-crushing corsets to crotchless catastrophes, these underwear relics remind us of how far comfort has come. The next time your bra strap digs in, remember, at least it’s not reinforced with whale bones.

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Slimming Underwear for Plus-Size Brides and Full-Bodied Women (Vintage vs Modern)

History of Women's Underwear: When Undergarments Became Intimate Wear

Ugly Vintage Clothing Styles We Will Hate to See Come Back

Slimming Underwear for Plus-Size Brides and Full-Bodied Women (Vintage vs Modern)

Vintage Charm Meets Modern Control for Full-Figured Brides

When it comes to looking and feeling your best on your wedding day, the right slimming lingerie is just as important as the bride’s dress, especially if you are a full-bodied woman.

You may love the timeless allure of vintage shapewear or, perhaps, the sleek support of modern slimming undergarments. Whichever side of the divide you fall into, today’s bridal market offers stylish, functional solutions that will enhance your natural curves and give you a near-perfect silhouette.

In this article, we will explore the differences between vintage and modern slimming lingerie. You will find practical tips for selecting the best foundation garments to complement your body and bridal dress for your special day.

Vintage Slimming Lingerie: Sculptural Elegance with a Retro Twist

Before the rise of high-tech fabrics and seamless shaping, women relied on structured, often hand-crafted undergarments to achieve a smooth silhouette. Vintage bridal lingerie, such as corsets, bustiers, and boned longline bras, provides you with strong midsection control and bust support that's perfect for fuller figures and curvier brides.

The 4 key features of vintage bridal shapewear are:

1. Rigid boning (originally whalebone or steel) for dramatic waist cinching
2. Longline bras and bustiers that smooth the torso and enhance posture.
3. Hook-and-eye closures, often with adjustable lacing for a custom fit.
4. Luxurious fabrics, like satin, silk, and lace, for a romantic touch.

While vintage shapewear can be incredibly flattering, it tends to prioritise form over comfort. It’s ideal for brides seeking an authentic vintage look, or for dresses requiring a strong internal structure (1950s-style ball gowns or structured bodices).

Modern Slimming Undergarments: Sleek, Stretchy, and Seamless

Modern bridal shapewear has evolved with the advent of technology. From high-waisted briefs to body-sculpting bodysuits and compression slips, today’s slimming undergarments are designed to contour, lift, and smooth without sacrificing comfort or mobility.

The 4 key features of modern slimming lingerie are:

1. Lightweight, breathable materials, like Lycra, microfiber, and mesh.
2. Seamless construction for invisibility under tight or clingy fabrics.
3. Targeted control zones to shape the waist, tummy, hips, and thighs.
4. Moisture-wicking fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable throughout the entire event.

Modern shapewear is ideal for brides wearing form-fitting gowns, such as mermaid or trumpet silhouettes, where a smooth finish is essential. It’s also a great option for long wedding days, dancing, and destination weddings where comfort is key.

Which Bridal Undergarment is Right for You? Vintage-Inspired or Modern Bridal Shapewear?

Choosing between vintage-style slimming lingerie and modern shapewear depends on your dress design, personal comfort level, and the look you want to achieve.

Bridal Basques - Are a tight-fitting bodice or a short 'coat'. It is also a stylish and slimming undergarment and outerwear that many refer to as a 'waspie'. A Basque does not necessarily pull in the waist, but it shapes the upper body. They, however, do have steel bones as well.

Bridal Waist Cincher - The waist cincher was very popular with the 80's bride, and women generally. It’s a type of wide lace belt, made with elasticised fabric and soft plastic stiffeners.

Bridal Bustier - A bustier with a close-fitting, sleeveless, and usually strapless bodice is worn by brides as a slimming undergarment or as outer apparel. A bustier is similar to a basque but comes shorter. It reaches down only to the ribs or waist.

Vintage-Inspired Bras - The design of the bridal gown usually determines the type of bra that must be worn. The bra must support and elevate the bosom in most vintage-inspired wedding gowns.

FEATURE	VINTAGE SHAPEWEAR	MODERN SHAPEWEAR
Structure	Firm boning and rigid panels	Stretch compression zones
Comfort	More restrictive	Lightweight and breathable
Style compatibility	Best for vintage-inspired gowns	Ideal for modern silhouettes
Aesthetics	Romantic, retro, detailed	Sleek, seamless, minimal
Custom fit	Lace-up or hook adjustments	Pull-on or zip, with stretch fabric

Tips for Choosing the Right Slimming Lingerie for Plus-Size Brides

• Fit the lingerie to the dress, not just your body. Consider the neckline, back, and transparency of your gown.
• Prioritise comfort. You’ll be in it all day, so make sure you can move, breathe, and sit comfortably.
• Try before the final fitting. Wear your shapewear to your last dress fitting to ensure a flawless finish.
• Don’t size down. A proper fit provides better slimming and shaping than too-tight garments.
• Mix and match styles. You may need a longline bra with high-waisted control briefs or a full-body shaper under a sleek dress.

Confidence Comes from Within (and a Little Lingerie Help!)

No matter your size or style, the right bridal slimming lingerie can give you that extra boost of confidence, shaping your silhouette and allowing your wedding gown to shine. Whether you’re channelling old-Hollywood glamour with vintage shapewear or stepping into modern elegance with seamless control wear, choose pieces that celebrate your body, enhance your dress, and make you feel beautiful on your special day, from the inside out. The wedding website photographs and videos will tell the story.

Articles of interest

History of Women's Underwear: When Undergarments Became Intimate Wear

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Return of the '50s Swing Dresses: How to Wear Vintage Full-Circle Skirts Today

Nothing beats the timeless elegance of 1950s dress styles. However, one dress design stood out. It was a stylishly casual wear, the swing dress, popularly known as full-circle skirts.

It was a favourite for daytime wear to parties, cinemas, resorts, soda fountains, and dates. This beautiful vintage dress features:

• Short, elbow, long, halter, and sleeveless upper.
• Cinched, sometimes belted waist.
• Voluminous full-circle skirt.
• Swinging, feminine, flair.

How the Vintage Swing Dress Has Evolved

Now freshly revived in 2025, it has become a fashion favourite for both day and night wear, and is made with fabrics like sustainable cotton blends, sateen and satin, bamboo silk, wool crepe, chiffon, taffeta, and high-tech mesh as linings.

Fashion designers and stylists now incorporate modern layering, paired with unique, big, and bold accessories.

Why the Full Circle Skirt Dress Is Trending

As fashion is now leaning back into stylishly structured, feminine, vintage-inspired styles, the full-circle skirt with its dramatic silhouette has become a favourite of today’s fashion-forward crowd.

And while the classic features remain, designers are updating the swing dress with:

• Modern wrinkle-resistant fabrics.
• Bolder prints: digital florals, huge polka dots, and botanicals.
• Striking digital colours, like rich saffron, mint chrome, lilac dusk, and deep emerald, including brass, gold, and silver.
• Halter necklines, off-the-shoulder and shirt collars with peek-a-boo backs.
• Dramatic sleeves, including versions with bishop sleeves.

How to Style Swing Dresses Today

If you are a vintage fashion fan, consider the following style tips for the outfit:

Petticoat

This undergarment is required to accentuate the skirt's flare, especially if you desire a glamorous retro look for evening wear. Use a light crinoline fabric, tulle, or organza.

Footwear

The fifties footwear for full-circle dresses was the kitten heel. Today, wear sleek ankle boots, Mary Janes, or chunky-sole loafers. And if you wish to dress down for a casual flair, pair them with stylish, white sneakers.

Belt

To emphasise the waistline, use a contrasting belt or a belt bag. For a futuristic twist, opt for wide, elasticated neon or metallic belts.

Layering

For layering, wear with a cropped denim jacket, leather blazer, or tailored knit cardigan.

Jewellry

Go beyond pearls and think statement earrings in geometric or asymmetrical shapes, transparent handbags, or upcycled clutches. Throw in a pair of oversized sunglasses for a stylishly dramatic effect.

Today's swing dress is a celebration of vintage grace and elegance. If styled properly, this iconic 1950s look can work seamlessly for any occasion, from brunch to art gallery visits, rooftop cocktails, and weddings. So, whether you’re reviving the elegance of Grace Kelly or mixing streetwear elements for a downtown vibe, the full-circle skirt dress offers a blank canvas of endless style potential.

And don’t be afraid to experiment. The swing dress of today is all about personality and fashion re-invention.

Further Reading:
7 Famous Fashion Designers of the Sixties

Vintage Handbags: 20th Century Classic Women's Bags (With Pictures)
Ugly Vintage Clothing Styles We Will Hate to See Come Back

Vintage Handbags: 20th Century Classic Women's Bags (With Pictures)

Antique and vintage handbags for women emerged in the mid to late 1800s, at a time when bags were more of bulky carrying cases than a fashion item. Women held reticules or small purses with just enough space to hold a few coins, a handkerchief and a pouch of smelling salts. 

Styles of popular vintage style women's handbags and purses of the early to mid-20th century.

By the last decade of the 19th century, women's handbags were made to be more functional, and their designs soon replaced the reticule purse. The first vintage handbags were essentially shaped like mini suitcases with sturdy handles, inner compartments, and snap closure systems. Thus began the era when women could carry their personal stuff with some level of privacy.

And as women became more fashion-conscious, handbags became even more versatile and complex and were made to hold more items like pillboxes, rouge, smelling salts, scent, visiting cards, and coins. The handbag thus became a trendy fashion accessory by the early 20th century.

Vintage fashion enthusiasts who are passionate about vintage handbags and other fashion accessories mostly agree that handbags women carried about a century ago are perhaps some of the best ladies’ bags ever produced. Most were handmade and came with intricate embroidery details and heavy ornamentation.

Yes, modern bags and purses are fabulous, and many designs are some women’s dream, but some of the styles of the first half of the twentieth century are pieces of fashion art that are still relevant to today’s fashion style.

Popular Vintage Handbags of Early to Mid-1900s

If you are not familiar with vintage handbags of the time, there are a few things to look out for. The bag’s design, and the material used to produce it. You also want to know the popular types of bags and purses women of style carried around.

So, if you are looking for vintage style handbags that are back in vogue, here are the most popular ones among vintage style enthusiasts:

Minaudières - Small ornate (box-shaped) 1930s evening clutch bags made from luxurious materials like gold and silver.

Drawstring purses – Popular from the Victorian and then Edwardian eras, they were small, beaded, extensively, and usually made from silk, velvet, and metal mesh.

Beaded purses – 1920s flapper bags and purses highly decorated with beads and sequins.

Embroidery bags – Embroidered bags were majorly handmade embroidered with floral and story patterns.

Metal mesh bags – Art Deco 20s fashion bags that were more of fashion accessories than practical bags.

Lucite handbags – A popular clutch handbag of the 1950s and made from clear, coloured, and patterned acrylic.

Shoulder bags – These slung-over-the-shoulder bags were styled after the military satchels of the 1940s which men carried to the war front.

Status handbags – Branded famous bags like the 1950s Chanel 2.55 bag made of padded and quilted leather with neutral tones. Hermes and Gucci brands fall under this category.

Bucket bags – The 1930s bucket style bag has become quite a hit today and remains the preferred choice of fashionable women. The innovator of bucket handbags is Gaston Louis Vuitton.

Unique-shaped handbags – In the 40s and 50s, hard-sided handbags with unusual shapes provided a stylish alternative to purses. Examples include drum, box, hexagon, barrel, and canister shaped handbags.

Women’s Handbags - 1900 - 1910

Petit Point Edwardian handbags were handmade with needlepoint application of scenic designs, each side with a different story to tell.

Design innovations for women’s bags started at this time in history with the term "carrying bags" used extensively to describe what we now refer to as handbags. Carrying bags were designed with functional features like compartments, clasps, and locks and unlike the bags of the Victorian era were no longer made to match women’s outfits.

Petit point handbags with scenic themes (handmade with needlework) were popular at the turn of the century. Each side of the handbag had a different story woven onto it.

1920s Vintage Handbags

1920s ladies' handbags were flirty, feminine, and many times ornamented.

This is the famous flapper era when women became even more fashion-conscious than their predecessors. Handbags, clutch bags, and purses embossed or embellished intricately with pretty beads and other ornamentation are (probably) the most striking handbags of the twenties. There was a wide influence of the Art Deco movement at the time, which also had a great impact on fashion and its accessories.

Some other beautiful handbags of the twenties include embroidered bags and purses, reticules, embossed hand-tooled bags, and mesh bags.

1930s Women's Vintage Bags

Women's handbags of the 1930s. The vintage-inspired handbags of today resemble the designs and motifs of this era.

Fun handbags (fun bags) evolved in the thirties. They were colourful and pretty and came in the form of wooden box purses or as bucket bags with decorative features. They were novel in shape and sculpture and always well-made with leather trims, hand-painted areas, mirrors, beading, and crystals all set in great themes of flowers, birds or other scenic images of nature.

While daytime handbags were heavily embroidered, evening bags of the thirties were elaborately beaded, embroidered or woven in metal mesh to match the elegance of a woman’s evening wear.

The vintage-inspired handbags of today have a great feel of the designs and motifs of this era, with many designs having embroidered motifs and symbols of the time.

Women's Handbags of the 1940s

Vintage-inspired reproductions of the 1940s Lucite handbags. 

They are mainly made from wood or PVC-based materials.

The Second World War brought on austere times for most people, and its effects also impacted women’s fashion. Handbags were made mainly from wood or plastic because metals were necessary and strategic materials, and were never to be wasted on frivolities. However, by the late 1940s, DuPont developed plastics, an affordable and readily available material which heralded the creation of the beautiful and popular Lucite bags and purses.

As the use of plastics became popular in the post-war era, it began to play a major part in the mid-19th century decorating and embellishing that swept the fashion and style world. Designers used creative methods to tint and colour clear Lucite bags, making manufacturers begin a fierce competition to produce stylish, chic and even outrageous designs of handbags.

Many of the styles had generous embellishing of sparkling rhinestones, came in whimsical shapes like pagodas, bird cages, and beehives, and were wildly popular with the silver screen movie stars, elites, socialites, and highly paid prostitutes. Soon, it became a trendy fashion accessory, and its production skyrocketed, which in turn made them more affordable, especially when lower-quality imitations became available.

1950s Ladies Handbags

Many of the 50s ladies' bag designs have been reproduced today, 

and still look as fabulous as they did back in the 1950s.

By the 1950s, ladies’ handbags had a wide range of designs, while material options became vast. From straw and raffia to suede, Bakelite, animal skin and mother-of-pearl, many of the bag designs of the fifties were exquisite and well-made, even by today's standards.

Vintage handbags of note include the Chanel quilted bag and the famous Kelly bags, originally made for Grace Kelly by Hermès. The Kelly bag is a beautifully hand-stitched bag made from the best quality calfskin, crocodile skin, lizard skin, or ostrich skin, and the popular Chanel handbags were quilted designs first conceived in February 1955 and used by clients and Chanel fashion enthusiasts.

The 50s brought on an obsession for the ‘logo bags’, which resulted in the production of both fake and authentic Chanel bags. With its chain-twisted sling and diamond quilted finish, its shoulder bags soon flooded the fashion market. It is one of the few vintage handbags still reproduced today. Other popular designers of vintage handbags include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior, Fendi, and Prada.

1960s Women's Fashion Bags

Vintage handbags of the swinging sixties. An era when personal freedom was the new movement. Handbags were no longer a fashion appendage. Rather, it became a matter of personal choice among women of style.

This was the period described as the swinging sixties, a fashion era when the desire for personal freedom was a new movement. The handbag was no longer a ‘branded appendage’ but rather became a matter of personal choice. By the beginning of the decade, when style became personified by Jackie Kennedy, the classical handbag made with fine tailoring and high-quality workmanship became the trend with the more mature woman.

Meanwhile, with the rise of the youth culture, the rules of ‘correct’ dressing became more relaxed and designs soon took a decidedly free form, with large, unstructured, youthful pieces emerging, and handmade purses becoming the new haute couture. It was a time when individualism was at its peak of popularity.

Long, narrow clutch bags were the earlier purse styles, then came the dainty shoulder bags with long chains (or straps), fabric shoulder bags, large satchels, patchwork Afghan bags, telephone purses, and double kiss-lock handbags. These and more began to dominate the handbag fashion scene, which was in stark contrast to the 1950s women’s bag designs. Materials used include wicker, patent leather, raffia, fabric, and animal skin.

(Article originally published by the author at hubpages.com on 11/09/09)

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