Can You Name Which Decade This Fashion Is From?

BEAUTY & FASHION

By: Amanda M.

7 Min Quiz

Image: Glamour Magazine via Youtube/Glam, Inc. via Youtube

About This Quiz

We are extremely lucky to be living in an era where fashion draws inspiration from times past.  But here's the thing: designers have been upcycling their designs way before it became fashionable (pun intended).  How many times have you seen the words "inspired by" on a designer's lines?  Far too many to count, in our opinions.  But because you have new eyes focusing on clothing and trends all the time, there will always be new trends and fashions.  Some of them are successes, some of them are flops.

Remember in the early 1990s, when MC Hammer wore something called "hammer pants"?  For those of you not in the know, MC Hammer released a hip-hop song, "U Can't Touch This," which became a cultural phenomenon.  While many may consider these pants harem pants, hammer pants have a different type of leg - a more traditional pant leg, as opposed to the billowy legs of the harem pant.  Their origin?  In the 1850s, feminist Elizabeth Smith Miller created them to encourage ladies to get rid of their petticoats.  While the Lily pants didn't take off (even with the help of some advertisements in a feminist newspaper), Paul Poiret reintroduced them in Paris in 1910.

Let's test your fashion history knowledge with this quiz: only the best of the best will make the cut!

In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Corsets aren't anything new: they made their fashion debut sometime in the 1500s. However, they weren't used to create the hourglass figure that we associate with corsets today: they were used to flatten the bust and make the body more cylindrical in shape.

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In what decade did these shoes become popular?

Kitten heels were first made popular by legendary actress and trendsetter Audrey Hepburn. She wore these heels in several of her films, including her iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Because of the popularity of this film, marketers were quick to seize the opportunity and add an additional selling point: they would be great for training your teenage daughters on how to walk in a heel.

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In what decade did these shoes first appear?

The original t-strap heel was a multipurpose shoe: they were quite fashionable (and they still are) but they also had the strap across the top of the foot to keep the shoe on while dancing the night away! There are still many dancers who wear these shoes for that specific reason.

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In what decade did this coat style return to popularity, thanks to "Seinfeld"?

While many characters on television have inspired a look, Elaine Benes was the quintessential '90s professional on the show "Seinfeld." Her layered look, using everything from dresses and sweaters to her long maxi coat, kept her warm while giving her the space she needed. A maxi coat is a trench coat with a longer hemline, often dropping to the ankle.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Catherine Bach had no idea what hit her when she first donned her Daisy Duke shorts on the show "The Dukes of Hazzard." With her long legs and easy style, these shorts, named Daisy Dukes, were a must-have for many women in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In one of the more memorable scenes in 1934's "It Happened One Night," actress Claudette Colbert wore a men's pajama set. Soon after, silk pajama sets were created for women, where the top was a little more tapered. Today, these same sets come in a variety of materials and make ladies sleep more soundly every night.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Even though in more recent history, Madonna made the bullet bra an outerwear statement, bullet bras were around in the 1950s. Their purpose wasn't only to support the breasts, but also to make them look a little more perky while under sweaters.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

During World War II, many American women were thrust into the manufacturing plants to help create weapons and ammunition for the soldiers overseas. Because of this, they would wear denim coveralls to keep their clothes clean.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Gibson Girl was what many consider the ideal woman: she was independent, refined and educated. While this is all well and good, the girls in the 1920s saw things a little differently and created the flapper movement. These young ladies contradicted what their Victorian parents and grandparents taught them to be true about the modern lady: they were rebellious, free and promiscuous. Just think - if they didn't do what they did, where would we be today?

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In what decade did these shoes become popular?

Even though the Dr. Martens boot has been around since the 1950s, it wasn't until Pete Townshend from The Who wore them while performing that they entered the fashion stratosphere. Soon these boots were worn by punks during the '80s and grunge rockers in the 90s.

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In what decade did this item of clothing become popular?

While onesies (or rompers) have been around for a while, it wasn't until a few years ago that they were flung into the spotlight. So now you can match your baby when it comes to sleepwear and outerwear, thanks to celebrities Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Whenever you think of a woman in 1950s fashion, one of the first images that should pop into your head is the swing dress. These dresses had a tight bodice and a loose knee-length skirt. Television characters Donna Reed from "The Donna Reed Show" and Lucy Ricardo from "I Love Lucy" wore this dress style.

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When did this hat first appear?

Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis made the pillbox hat one of her fashion staples after her husband, John F. Kennedy, became president. Most notably, she was wearing a pink Chanel suit with matching pillbox hat when her husband was assassinated.

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In what decade did this style of clothing first appear?

Women entered the workforce in the 1910s and wearing pants to the workplace was taboo. It was only in the 1970s that women were given the option to wear suits tailored to their bodies, most of which were made of vibrant colorful materials, incorporating the trend of the day.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In order for flappers to get into their dresses, they had to forgo the corsets and undergarments of the day, using a step-in chemise to help keep their movements free and unrestricted. Regardless to say, this type of lingerie was considered risque.

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In what decade did this style of dress first appear?

The A-line dress arrived on the fashion scene in 1955. The A-Line was one of three lines created by Christian Dior: the other two are the H and Y lines. This type of silhouette is still popular today, making it popular for work or play.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With movies like "Rebel Without a Cause" and "The Wild One" released, it is only natural that the greaser subculture followed. Greasers were known for their greased-up hair, hence the name "greaser," along with motorcycles, hot rods and rock and roll.

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In what decade did this style of jeans first appear?

Low-rise, hip-hugger, hipster, or low-cut jeans were popular during the 1960s, with a revitalization in the 2000s. These pants have a low rise, meaning that the distance between the crotch and the waistband is lower than most, with the most modest measurement being eight inches (opposed to the 12-inch rise). Christina Aguilera is photographed wearing a pair of low-rise jeans on her "Stripped" album.

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In what decade did this item of underwear first appear above jeans?

Because many of the fashion of the early 2000s incorporated a low-rise piece of clothing, many people were having issues with keeping their thong underwear concealed. What happened next? The whale tail was born! Celebrities like Brittany Spears, Christina Aguilera and Halle Berry all have been seen sporting them.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

One of the creators of the miniskirt, Mary Quant, owned a clothing boutique called Bazaar, where mods and rockers hung out. In 1965, when she raised the hemlines of her skirts to above the knee, the miniskirt was born. It was named after Mary's favorite car, the Mini.

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When did this accessory first appear?

Boater hats became popular in the early 1900s as an essential piece of menswear. It was an ideal addition to a summer look and was part of a typical tennis player's uniform. However, its origins are in boating (go figure), where young boys would wear these hats while on rowing teams.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

The modern girdle made its appearance in the 1900s. There have been varying materials used in creating girdles: latex, nylon and lycra, to name a few. In the 1950s girdles were often used to create the hourglass figure and wasp waist that was prevalent at the time.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In the late 1990s, Spanx creator Sara Blakely created her girdle panty hybrid to solve a fashion crisis before heading out to a party. After hitting the market in 2000, Spanx continues to grow, offering extra coverage for pregnant women, control top fishnet stockings, men's compression undershirts and smoother silhouettes for all.

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In what decade did this undergarment become popular for women?

With hip-hop culture becoming more and more prevalent, baggy pants were one of the fashion norms. Just like the men, ladies started to wear boxer shorts to keep everything covered. R & B group TLC was notorious for wearing boxers under their baggy pants.

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In what decade did these shoes first appear?

While they were a must-have for any '80s wardrobe, boat shoes were introduced to the public in the 1930s. This footwear innovation was created by sailor Paul Sperry while he was on a boating trip with his dog, Prince.

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When did this accessory first appear?

Scrunchies were a household item for any girl growing up in the 1980s. These cloth-covered elastic bands added an extra oomph to your hair and gave it a little pop of much-needed color. They still do exist today; however, they aren't as big and puffy as they were in the past.

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In what decade was this item of clothing first mass-produced?

The first overalls were worn by laborers during their days out working. They prevented the wearer's wardrobe from getting dirty and they were comfortable to move around in. Maybe that's why they keep coming back into fashion!

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In what decade did these shoes first appear?

While the more traditional style of Oxford shoe was embraced in the 1940s, variations of the shoe appeared in the 1920s. These were soon tossed aside for the T-strap heel, popularly worn by flappers. After the 1940s, a two-toned Oxford shoe was created: the saddle shoe. The great thing about owning a pair of these shoes is that they never really go out of style.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

During World War II, material was scarce. It was so scarce that women would steal parachute silk to make their undergarments, including their panties!

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

When nylon panties were introduced in the 1960s, they caused a drop in price for consumers. Why? Because they were factory made, making the production of these undergarments less labor intensive. Another perk is that during the same time, the brief became popular as well.

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In what decade did this women's jacket first appear?

Just like anything in the '80s, the bigger the better, and women's suits were no exception. Taking a page from "Working Girl," the incredibly tapered power suit had a single or double-breasted coat with boxed-off shoulders, similar to a men's blazer. This jacket was paired with high-waisted pants or an A-line skirt.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In the 1970s, going commando and braless was a fairly common occurrence. But what if you didn't want to go without a bra and yet still stay on trend? You wore a nipple bra! So you could be chilly all year round!

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

After World War II, many women found themselves expecting. Before the baby boomers blasted into the world, designers created the swing coat, which helped many mothers to hide their baby bumps.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

The cocoon coat was created by Paul Poiret, one of the premier designers of the pre-WWI era. His use of different types of patterns and materials was an inspiration to his contemporaries. Even though he passed away in 1944, a collection of his items went on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2007.

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In what decade did this style of coat first appear?

The trench coat was created by two different companies during the 1910s: Burberry and Aquascutum. Trench coats were created for military officers to wear during a skirmish without worry of material bogging them down. The only problem? The infantry and other grunt-level military personnel were given the typical uniform that included a cumbersome and heavy coat, which made it easier for enemies to identify the pecking order.

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In what decade did this style of clothing first appear?

Today there has been an upswing in wearing faux fur coats of almost any color. However, it was during the 1920s when these materials became en vogue. Due to a taxation on fur during World War I, designers and consumers swarmed to get an alternative to the material that added a touch of class to their outfits.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In the late 1970s, the Jogbra was created by sewing two jockstraps together. Even though that sounds incredibly gross, just think how much pain women would be in today if they didn't have their sports bras to be active in!

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With the new uses of synthetic materials like rayon and polyester, the teddy was created in the 1980s to emphasize ladies' curves. It was further popularized by Nicollette Sheridan, who donned a white teddy for a publicity shoot for her show, "Knots Landing."

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Even though the Wonderbra brand brassiere exploded onto the scene in the mid-1990s, it had a more modest (pun intended) beginning in the 1960s. The Model 1300 Plunge Push-Up bra debuted in Canada and became one of their best sellers.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With many of the fashions of the 1920s favoring a smaller to non-existent bustline, bras during this time did not enhance the breasts, but instead flattened them. Many women relied on the Symington Side Lacer: a bra that when laced on both sides flattened the chest. Unfortunately, by the time this trend passed, wearers of these bras never regained the perkiness of their breasts.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Any woman will tell you that strapless bras are one of the worst things to be created in the world of fashion. Do you struggle with an uncomfortable bra that may or may not give you coverage that you need, or do you just wear nothing? Thankfully, there is a third option in the mix: the NuBra. Created in 2002, these bras have all different prints and variety.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With the carefree spirit that transcended into the 1970s, it would make perfect sense that the wrap coat was such an easy to accessorize and wear piece of clothing. If you're looking to see what one looks like, check out the coat Penny Lane is wearing in "Almost Famous."

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With polyester and a more casual attitude towards fashion becoming prevalent, what is the best thing you can do? Create a leisure suit! These suits, often characterized by bright colored jackets and matching pants, worn with a low-cut shirt, were marketed as a casual alternative to a traditional suit. John Travolta's leisure suit from "Saturday Night Fever" was a prized possession of Chicago film critic Gene Siskel.

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In what decade did these shoes first appear?

Chunky heeled shoes were very similar to the platforms of the 1970s, in that they gave the wearer height. However, the chunky heeled shoe did not have a single platform: they were shoes with extended heels. They were extremely comfortable and paired wonderfully with the grunge movement.

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In what decade did this item of clothing become music-video popular?

Even though the puffer coat got its start in the 1980s with its bright colors, it wasn't until the 2000s that the puffer coat became a must-have in a wardrobe. Hip-hop music was dominating the radio waves during the time and metallic puffer jackets were being worn by almost everyone in music videos.

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In what decade did these shoes first appear?

The predecessor to the 1990s chunky soled shoe, the platform shoe dominated the 1970s. The perfect accessory to a disco dancing diva's wardrobe, these shoes had wider bases, so you wouldn't have to trip over a cumbersome heel. The rock band Kiss embraced the platform boot, and even after 30 years they are still rocking in their iconic boots!

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

The jean miniskirt became a mainstay of a lady's wardrobe in the 1980s. With style icon Madonna wearing denim in every shape and form, it was only a matter of time before the public followed. And because it was the 1980s, denim skirts came in bright and brilliant colors, with the acid-wash denim being the most popular.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

In 2009, lingerie brand Lisca created a bra called the Smart Memory Foam Bra. What this bra is supposed to do is mold itself to the wearer's breast, which could help with exercise, weight gain and other everyday situations.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

Fun and flirty, babydoll nighties were often worn with briefs and featured a lightweight cap sleeved top made of a sheer material. If you are looking for a more modern reference to this sexy lingerie, the fembots in "Austin Powers: Man of Mystery" are clothed in pink babydoll nighties.

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In what decade did this item of clothing first appear?

With so many exaggerated silhouettes being made, oversize coats were insanely popular among the youth of the 1980s. Musicians like Madonna, Tiffany, Paula Abdul and Debbie Gibson were all caught wearing oversized coats. With the power suit being a trend during this time, it only made sense that the coats went big and colorful as well.

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