From Ball Gowns to Yoga Pants

Are you a twelve year old girl? What do you think of when you think about clothing? Probably leggings and Birkenstocks, or crop tops and high waisted jeans. Now think of what a twelve year old girl would wear in 1904. That’s right, the ball gowns, the intricate laces, and the ‘voluminous’ sleeves. Clothing has changed so much in 111 years, that if we went out in public wearing one of those fancy ball gowns, well, let’s just say everyone we saw would be a little confused.

Another important change is where we get our clothes. You used to have to sew each piece by hand or get them made at a tailor, “shopping” was a new concept, and hadn’t been fully developed yet. In modern times, you can say “Hey mom will you drop me off at the mall?” and spend 400 dollars at Abercrombie & Fitch. Or you can order things online and have them delivered to your house, and you don’t even have to stand up! Again, a concept that is completely new since 1904.

So let’s say you are a twelve year old girl in 2015, and you wear the ‘trending’ clothes of our time. There are plenty of differences between what you’re wearing now and what you would have worn in 1904. For example, now it is very common for girls to wear pants. In 1904, that was unheard of and very unusual. In current times a common outfit a 7th grade girl would wear to school would be yoga pants and a t-shirt, not all the layers and ruffles that once were common.

I asked some of my friends if they would go out in public in a ball gown. Here are some of my favorite responses:

“No! Everyone would think I was a whacko!” - Emma

“I would look like a zombie princess.” - Catie

“NO! I would look like I should be in a mental institution!! Who the hell wears ball gowns nowadays?” - Jane

“Yasss!! I’m an individual and I have my own style *flips hair* I could twirl down the street!”  - Sophie

I think that these responses are true for most girls that I know. Our society’s norm has changed so that we are much more informal. I also think that we have become less strict with our clothing rules, because it is ok for girls to wear pants, or not wear a billowing skirt for a formal event. I think that these developments are mostly positive, and it allows people to dress freely and true to their personality. In 1904, if you were a tomboy, you still had to wear formal dresses to be accepted. In 2015 you will be accepted no matter what you wear, and I think that’s very important in a diverse nation like ours.