There is constant innovation in fashion but what about those top fashion inventions that changed the world? Fashion changes constantly but there are still some things that are never left behind. Take a look at this brief history of some of the most stylish pieces of clothing that have changed the whole world of fashion. Each of these fashion inventions are something you probably don't want to live without.

JEANS

In the 17th century, the Italian city Genoa supplied textile that looked like papyrus and was soon called “Genesis”. In 1837, the entertainer Levi Strauss made a zipper for the famous blue jeans. At the time, they were designed as a workwear for men. Since then, jeans become a favorite part of the wardrobe for almost everyone. The Strauss company still works today and uses the name Levi’s.

HIGH HEELS

It is very difficult for us to imagine that by the 17th century, only men could wear high heels. In medieval Europe, wooden platform shoes were popular because they allowed people to walk easily through the mud. In the 16th century, high heeled boots were very comfortable for riders. Classic heeled shoes appeared in the 20th century and today they are a part of every woman’s wardrobe.

A PAIR OF TROUSERS

Way back in time women were constrained to wearing only two articles of clothing, and they were either skirts or dresses. Today, a quick observation of your daily surroundings in the mall would tell you that modern women wear a pair of trousers or jeans more than they don dresses and skirts. Back in time, wearing a pair of trousers was exclusive to men, and it was frowned upon when a woman chose sport them. Donning a pair of trousers was not remotely acceptable for women until the 1920 were when women began to embrace sports activities such as horse riding and cycling. The inception of the female trousers was subtle at first with divided skirts or culottes commencing the trend. However, the trend failed to pick up until 1966 where it finally took off with the launch of “Le Smoking” by Yves Saint Laurent which is more or less a female tux.

THE MINI SKIRT

Before mini-skirts were all the rage, women were a lot more hesitant and self-conscious in showing too much leg. But when the trend peaked in London in the 1960s, almost every woman in town can be seen sporting them. Before miniskirts worked into a woman’s wardrobe as a casual staple, it was only seen as an outfit for sport and dance clothing such as the one you see worn by female figure skaters, cheerleaders, tennis players, and dancers. The garment was created by UK fashion designer Mary Quant, however, designer John Bates and Parisian Andres Courreges have also been associated with the garment. The style first made waves when Jean Shrimpton, a British model wore a short dress to Derby Day in 1965 where it caused quite a stir. The furor has more to do with the model sporting a look sans accessories such as a hat, gloves or a pantyhose and less to do with the garment itself. In the 1960s, accessories were necessary in such a conservative society.

HOSIERY

In an era where miniskirts and short dresses were making waves, it is only natural for someone to come up with hosiery. A sheer pair of tights and stockings would be the perfect complement to any miniskirt or short dress and would make the ensemble look a lot less “bare” in a conservative society. However, the invention of the hosiery preceded that of the miniskirts were significant advancements were made during the advent of nylon in 1938. Prior to this, a majority of the stockings were made of silk and since they were so popular, an overnight collapse of the Japanese silk market ensued. Things changed when the US joined the Second World War however as nylon stockings became rather hard to obtain as a result of the production of nylon going into war efforts. After the war, the demand for nylon stockings multiplied, but they were given a modern revamp with the new design having the pair of stockings attach directly to the panties which is now more popularly known as the pantyhose.

Undoubtedly, the passage of time has contributed much to how fashion has revolutionized. Today, individuals are allowed to make radical statements in their manner of dress whereas before they could be shunned by society. It is also through the evolution of fashion that the act of dressing up no longer seem liked a routine habit one had to do, but rather an avenue for self-expression and creative liberty. And because of this, fashionistas today can only thank their predecessors for the ingenuity of some versatile ensembles and staples and for allowing them a more unfettered view in style.

BIKINI

In Paris in 1946, a model walked on the catwalk carrying a two piece swimsuit designed by Louis Reard. This costume caused great controversy, since showing too much skin was seen as promiscuity. The bikini was accepted few years later, when Bridget Bardot and Marilyn Monroe began to wear it.

LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Chanel’s little black dress is surrounded by many legends. Some argue that she could not handle the gowns and big dresses, so she created this in order to make a new elegant look. According to another legend, Chanel received the idea of the dress in 1926 as a memorial for her passed away lover. Her creation has made a real sensation in the world, and to this day the little black dress is considered impeccable .

TIGHTS

Before the 20th century, ladies who wanted to look fashionable did not have much choice. The socks were either woolen or silk. THis lasted until 1935, when American chemists invented the nylon fibers that promised to be stronger than steel and thinner than a spider's web. In a very short time, they became popular and one of the top fashion inventions of all.

LEATHER JACKET

The Bomber jacket was invented in the USA during the First World War for pilots because it was meant to protect them from the cold and were comfortable to carry. In 1928, Scott made a leather jacket with a zipper, which later became known as a motorbike jacket. Of course, the leather jacket became more popular when it was seen on Elvis Presley and Marlon Brando.

MINI SKIRT

The designer and model Mary Quanta had a small but very trendy store in London. This was a place where the youth came for new fashion pieces. In the late 1950s, the mini skirt became very popular, but also the subject of many debates. But as soon as the rebellious 1960s began, the mini skirt became a compulsory piece of clothing for every woman and many girls still wear them today.

BRA

The bra was invented several times, and each time passed through a series of changes. In the ancient times, women carried a bandage on their chest, which was followed by corsets and in the 20th century the bras gained their present form. Initially, they were not popular because women were used to corsets, but over time they came to love their convenience, comfort and beautiful appearance. Want to know more about the evolution of the bra? Check out this

The Role of Inventions in Changing Our Daily Lives

Inventions can lead to new technologies, create new jobs, and improve quality of life. Use primary sources to help students compare and contrast the work of inventors: Leo Wahl established a new barbering tool; Samuel F. B. Morse developed the telegraph; and Benjamin Franklin revolutionized sight with bifocal lenses.

Prompt students to think as tech inventors and focus on an object in the classroom, such as a door stopper. How might the item be improved? Offer students criteria for success and constraints on material, time, and cost. Guide them in planning and conducting an investigation based on their design model, and assess how well their inventions met the criteria and constraints of the design problem. Extend time for students to improve their model and retest.

For generations, innovators have used their imaginations to create new products to improve our daily lives. How can these historical examples spark innovation within your young inventors?