For many years, human beings have focused on creating a useful and new materials that are different from the found in nature. Tinkering of substance was a platform for an explosion of research on new materials, which marked the 20th century. The creativity of material engineers in the 20th century is characterized by sporting goods, aircraft, clothing, as well as electronic devices. The newly created artificial materials were used in various ways in the fashion industry. The discovery of each artificial materials related to clothes marked a new step in the fashion industry during this time. In the general perspective, artificial materials had a tremendous influence on the fashion industry in the 20th century.
Technological improvements in the 20th century facilitate the creation of new artificial material. Automated garment construction techniques and improved fabric technology during this era enhanced production of clothes and improved the fashion industry. The new artificial garments materials during the era included the rayon, which was developed during the Victorian era. Synthetic fibers were also created in 1930s and became useful in the 1950s. Between 1950s and 1960s, some other new materials were developed; it included Polyester, Nylon, Acrylics, Lycra, and Spandex (Pundir 73). These new artificial materials formed a platform that changed the fashion industry. The development of Nylon led to high production of fashionable materials. Nylon was used of make stockings, parachute fabrics and sewing thread (Handley 21).
The artificial materials were used in the fashion industry in various ways. Polyester was blended with cotton to produce a material that could easily dry up, cheap, improved wear-resistance, and decreased tendency to wrinkle. The blended materials were used in making clothes and cloth diapering. On the same note, the sportswear was greatly revolutionized in the 20th century due to development of Lycra and microfibers. Fabrics such as Sympatex and fleece were developed to counter the fluctuating weather conditions. The association of such sportswear to sports star led to the development of fabric fashion that was adopted across all ages.
The combination of artificial materials with natural fibers improved the fashion industry. Clothes that created a natural feeling were manufactured. The blending of materials created dynamic behaviors among individuals. Technology and availability of artificial materials increased production of clothes (Handley 22). In 1952, the cotton and acrylic blend created a wash and wear revolution. This revolution took place during summer periods.
The artificial materials had an influence on fashion in 20th century. The fashion industry received a twist due to development of artificial fiber. Women began to change their wardrobes; in fact, in the 1920s, women began to dress like boys. In fact, the fact that sportswear were produced influenced many people to copy athletic and sporty look. In the 1950s, the development of polyesters influenced the fashion industry (Pundir 75). Many people in society favored youth styles. People embraced easy-care fabrics that were synthetic. The development of new materials facilitated manufacturing of tight trousers and skinny ties. The availability of synthetic materials made the fashion industry less-gendered.
New artificial materials in the 20th century led to the production of cheap and easily available clothes. These aspects encouraged a more relaxed attitude to fashion and clothing. People matched their fashion with occasions and situations. In fact, the dress code and the entire fashion was streamlined towards the needs of the consumer. On the same note, people began to discard one fashion style for another due to availability of synthetic materials.
Works cited
Pundir, Nirupama. Fashion Technology: Today and Tomorrow. New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2007. Print.
Handley, Susannah. Nylon: The Story of a Fashion Revolution; a Celebration of Design from Art Silk to Nylon and Thinking Fibres. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1999. Print.
