The skirt length theory dictates that as hemlines on women’s skirts and dresses fluctuate, so does the U.S. economy. All you have to do is take a quick glance at fashionistas to know how the stock market is doing according to an article by Lindsey Rosenberg for Insight Business.
Is there any truth to this theory? Some economists claim that 20th Century fashion has proven that there is some truth to fashion trends tying in to the state of the financial world.
Decades of Hemline Trends
The economy seems to be in a constant state of change. Economists have noticed that the fashion industry has fluctuated in-step with the stock market through the decades, going up as confidence rises and heading down when people are concerned about their money.
Hemlines through the decades:
- 1920s – Stocks soared as the ‘20s roared. Women became much more daring with their fashions and wore very short skirts.
- 1930s – Skirt lengths dipped as the Great Depression sent the stock market plunging.
- 1940s – As the U.S. recovered from World War II, confidence strengthened, so the hemlines continued to creep back up, but still not at the level they were in the 1920s.
- 1950s – Hemlines were still at a conservative length as recovery continued. Most skirt and dress styles were knee-length.
- 1960s – The economy once again soared, and miniskirts became a huge fashion trend in the mid ‘60s.
- 1970s – The stock market took a tumble in the mid ‘70s, sending miniskirts out and bringing mid-calf length hemlines in.
- 1980s – As the economy recovered and people prospered in the early and mid ‘80s, dresses and skirts got shorter. Then the stock market crashed in the late ‘80s, sending hemlines back down.
- 1990s – The economic crisis healed in the late 90s, so miniskirts came back into vogue.
- Early 2000s – Once the economy began to slip again, dress and skirt hemlines dropped below the knee.
Which Comes First – Hemline or Economy?
Executive Director Ilse Metchek from the California Fashion Association claims that when the stock market goes up, so do prices. This causes fashion designers to use less fabric to save money.
Rather than turning to the business section of your newspaper, watch the runway for signs of economic growth. The fashion industry may be just as good at gauging the economy as the financial gurus.
Other Fashion Related Economic Indicators
Hemlines aren’t the only indicator of the state of the economy. As women tighten their budget belts, they find other ways to show off their sense of style.
More signs of fashion mirroring the economy:
- Lipstick sales go up when the economy is in a slump. Lipstick colors tend to get brighter, bolder and more saturated.
- Softer, more natural hair color becomes fashionable during down times. The theory behind the hair color trend is that fewer highlights and less dramatic color means less money needs to be spent on touchups.
- Soft, flirty bangs become popular when the economy heads downward. This gives women a variety of styling options without having to spend more money.
Next time you wonder about the state of the economy, all you have to do is look at current fashion trends. If hemlines are down, tighten your belt and wait for the skirts to get shorter before splurging. In the meantime, you can cheer up by indulging in a tube of bright red lipstick or adding some inexpensive accessories.
Reference:
Rosenberg, Lindsey. " The Nation: Better Times Through the Eye of a Needle." Insight Business, 2006. (accessed November 10, 2010).
Find this article helpful? If so, read Simple Fashion Tips, Wardrobe Basics on a Budget, and Fashionable Scarves for Women.
Debby Mayne - Debby Mayne is a published author of more than 30 novels and novellas and former fashion writer for the Home Shopping Network.
