Thu | Oct 16, 2025

Gleaner 180 - Fashion Flashback

Published:Saturday | September 13, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Pause
It became an expectation of women to wear hats outside the house. Later in the 1950s, women were focused on impressing men with structural garments that showed their bodies.
Dresses became less extravagant, with slim waists, narrow hips and a rounded neckline.
Focus was placed on shoulders, with the introduction of smaller shoulder pads. The waistline also returned to the usual position.
It became an expectation of women to wear hats outside the house. Later in the 1950s, women were focused on impressing men with structural garments that showed their bodies.
Conservative dresses/suits were cut above the knees. Dresses also became more youthful.
Conservative dresses/suits were cut above the knees. Dresses also became more youthful.
The era of 'flower power'/hippie fashion. It was all about bright and bold colours with flamboyant designs; nothing was too outrageous.
The era of 'flower power'/hippie fashion. It was all about bright and bold colours with flamboyant designs; nothing was too outrageous.
Suits reflected emerging women in the workplace. Women dressed to show power and confidence.
Suits reflected emerging women in the workplace. Women dressed to show power and confidence.
Fashion reflected disco, with shiny fabrics trimmed with lace and sequins.
2010 fell into the slim-fit era. Skinny pants and bright-coloured dresses were worn casually.
Fashion was depicted in popular TV shows with padded shoulders and big hair.
In the early 1900s, ladies wore high necks with undefined bodices.
In the early 1900s, ladies wore high necks with undefined bodices.
In the early 1900s, ladies wore high necks with undefined bodices.
Evening dresses were more daring, worn off the shoulder or sleeveless.
Evening dresses were more daring, worn off the shoulder or sleeveless.
The Flapper Era. Hemlines climbed way above the ankles, reaching as far as the knees. Dresses with dropped waists also became very popular.
The Flapper Era. Hemlines climbed way above the ankles, reaching as far as the knees. Dresses with dropped waists also became very popular.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Fashion over the decades - The Gleaner has been on top of all the happenings at home and abroad for 180 years. Things have changed a lot over that time and perhaps nothing demonstrates that more than fashion. Here's a look at the way fashion changed over many of the decades in which The Gleaner has been operating.

1900s - In the early 1900s, ladies wore high necks with undefined bodices.

1910s - Closer to the 1910s, sleeves had a double effect. Evening dresses were more daring, worn off the shoulder or sleeveless.

1920s - The Flapper Era. Hemlines climbed way above the ankles, reaching as far
as the knees. Dresses with dropped waists also became very
popular.

1930s - Focus
was placed on shoulders, with the introduction of smaller shoulder
pads. The waistline also returned to the usual
position.

1940s - Dresses became less extravagant,
with slim waists, narrow hips and a rounded
neckline.

1950s - It
became an expectation of women to wear hats outside the house. Later in
the 1950s, women were focused on impressing men with structural
garments that showed their bodies.

1960s - Conservative
dresses/suits were cut above the knees. Dresses also became more
youthful.

1970s - The era of
'flower power'/hippie fashion. It was all about bright and bold colours
with flamboyant designs; nothing was too
outrageous.

1980s - Fashion
was depicted in popular TV shows with padded shoulders and big
hair.

1990s - Fashion reflected disco,
with shiny fabrics trimmed with lace and sequins.

2000s - Suits
reflected emerging women in the
workplace. Women dressed to show power and
confidence.

2010

- fell into the slim-fit era. Skinny pants and bright-coloured dresses
were worn
casually.

CREDITS

Project

Coordinator:  Tickoya
Joseph

Assistant Project
Coordinator:  Shari
Reid

Photographer: Gladstone
Taylor

Makeup: Casandra

Smith (1900-1950),  Sue Divinitti
(1960-2010)

Models: Samantha

Williams, Shanae Bennette, Kerry-Ann
Hepburn, Kimberley Ferguson, Drucilla
Graham

Outfits: Q&E

Costumes, Art and Craft Supplies, 2E Camp
Road, Kingston 5

Shot on location at Colbeck Castle, Port Royal, managed by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.