Regality Through The Ages

HOW HIGH CLASS FASHION HAS CHANGED OVER THE CENTURIES FOR PUBLIC FIGURES

By Karissa Kroll, Staff Writer Graphic by Keely Bradish, Arts Curator

For the most part, fast fashion and casual wear have replaced full length gowns and robes. Up until the industrial revolution, articles of clothing were made by hand and had greater detail than most pieces we see today. For the wealthy, gowns and other articles of clothing were frequently embellished with embroidery, beadwork, crystals, and elegant fabrics such as satin and chiffon.

While kings and queens still exist, monarchies have generally become something of the past. However, society has since filled this role with public figures, such as actors, influencers and even political figures. Today, celebrities are society’s version of modernday royalty, and they show off their wealth with designer clothing and extravagant custom pieces.

One of the most influential and famous families within modern media are the Kardashians. As a result of their fame, they can often be seen flaunting grand and lavish wardrobes. For example, Kim Kardashian has been known to wear a variety of expensive pieces designed just for her. At the 2019 Met Gala, she wore custom Mugler, who came out of his retirement to create her piece. Kim’s first wedding dress is evaluated at $2 million, and her second at $500,000.1 While all of these dresses were seen as beautiful pieces, they are also noticed because of their uniqueness to her style.

Political figures such as Hillary Clinton and Alexandria OcasioCortez can also be considered

1 Simao, Karen. “Kim Kardashian’s 10 Most Expensive Looks.” TheRichest, Sept. 19, 2019. modern royals, though their fame stems from politics. While they aren’t necessarily known for wearing flashy or one-of-akind fits, they make their own statements by sporting powerful pantsuits and a bold red lip. Female political figures are often ridiculed for having a distinct fashion sense. AOC states that she feels more put together in a bold lip when she doesn’t have time to be focused on her appearance.2 She tends to wear what she wants, rather than the classic skirt and blazer that female politicians have worn for decades. Aside from AOC, Hillary Clinton widely influenced women’s professional fashion with her trendy pant suits and bold colors that hadn’t been seen before on a political figure.3

While the regal elements of previous centuries haven’t completely made their way back into the fashion world, aspects of them remain in today’s clothing and accessory designs. Velvet originated from Eastern countries, but was valued among European nobility and peaked in popularity during the renaissance period.4 Because of its luxurious qualities, it was frequently used for wealthy families who could afford a custom-made wardrobe. It has stuck around and been used more again in the past few years for formal wear and casual

2 Diaz, Thatiana. “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reveals Her Full Beauty Routine-& Why It Matters.” AOC Shares Red Lipstick Go-To In New Beauty Interview, Aug 21, 2020. 3 Prakash, Neha. “The Enduring Legacy of Hillary Clinton’s Style.” Marie Claire, Marie Claire, Mar. 12, 2020. 4 Bucci, Jessica. “Fashion Archives: A Look at the History of Velvet.” StartUp FASHION, Sept. 18, 2019. wear like tank-tops, dresses, and comfortable shorts.

Additionally, gold detailing has always been a symbol of wealth and regality. In recent years, gold jewelry has been very on trend. While it can be very costly to buy real gold jewelry, there are many retailers that sell cheaper options, allowing the average person to incorporate this accessory into their wardrobe.

Seen in renaissance paintings from the 16th century, beads, pearls, metallic decorations and stitching were adorned on clothing of the upper European classes.5 Today, embellishments are not adorned by hand like they were, but in factories and by machines. Embroidery on clothing has become popular again, as well as pearls and small, artificial gems which are sewn onto clothing. While many vintage components appear in modern fashion, the means of production are very different. Nowadays, there are cheap alternatives for most materials and items, but the quality doesn’t compare to the intricate designs of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

While royal attire today looks different for public figures, remnants of regality continue to rework themselves into modern day fashion. Whether it’s demonstrated through a designer wardrobe or professional-wear, today’s “status” can be represented through our clothing and the confidence we have while wearing it. ■

5 L. McMasters,“16th Century Embellishments, Twenty-First Century Strategies for Achieving the Sixteenth Century ‘Look.’” Costumes by Lynn McMasters, May 16, 1999.