The rise began during the First World war as designers raised hemlines to above the ankle with the new 'Crinoline' . It was more practical and suited women who were working in increasing numbers in war production. In the years following the war, skirt lengths continued to rise, till the late 1920's
when they were above the knee. By the 1930's, hemlines began to fall again to above the ankle and remained there till the 1940's. In 1942, clothing rationing brought about actual regulations on womens clothing ! The UK had their 'Utility Clothes' regulations, and the USA introduced Regulation L85 which set skirt lengths to 17 inches above the floor. Interestingly, the Evening Dress has stayed near to or at floor length over the decades. It is often said that hemlines were only of concern to the working class, as wealthy women could afford the luxury of longer dresses in their lifestyle.
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| Christian Dior Measures for the future ! 1945 |
The Hemline Index
Do Womens Skirt lengths really rise and fall with the Stock market ?
In 1926 professor George Taylor from the University of Pennsylvania invented the hemline index.
It has proved incredibly accurate over the decades. The theory was that womens dresses rise and fall with stock prices in the modern age of Capitalism.. The stronger the economy, the shorter the skirts, the weaker the economy, the longer the skirt !
1920's - Huge rise in stock prices, and the shortest hemlines in history for women.
1930's - The crash also brought womens skirt lengths down to a more conservative height.
1940's - With the war and subsequent production boom that went with it, womens skirt lengths began to rise again.
1950's - Skirt and dress lengths remained at knee length during this decade, which reflected the conservative era and recovering economy.
1960's - The boom brought us the Mini skirt !
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