The Great War - 'Bella Pop'

The militant suffragette movement was suspended during the war, and at the time people credited the new patriotic roles women played as earning them the vote in 1918. Whilst men were fighting in the trenches the women stayed on the homefront and become more independant.

The number of women working increased in Britain as they were sent down the mines and into the factories or to nurse injured soldiers. Due to this the attractive outfits suddenly changed to trousers and tailored suits.

Women were seen wearing wider flared skirts and calf length hemlines that had been introduced. Brassieres were also the preferred option to the corset for most women, jumpers were also worn more often.

Men wore there trousers cuffed to the ankle-length and creased.

Women embraced their independance and clothing became more practical and the trends were seen as more relaxed. Sporty and dark coloured clothing came into fashion due to the big impact Coco Chanel created with Jean Patou.




The costumes worn in the Ballet Russes were a great influence on fashion as the more softer and draped form of clothing was introduced such as  the kimono sleeve and soft tunics. Although only the rich could afford such made to measure clothing so often people would by their own patterns so they could sew at home. This era became known as the 'Bella pop' (beautiful era).