BELL BOTTOMS

In the Early 70's trousers were cut very wide into flares or bags. Flares, which became the chief symbol of the fashion of the period were tight around the thigh and widened from the knee downwards. These were also known as bell bottoms

FIG. BELL BOTTOMS

From 1975 trousers were again cut narrow and straight. In America there was a move towards a traditional look for both men and women. Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and later Calvin Klein created fashions which often embodied the style of I920's a highly successful formula which they have retained to the present day. Donna Karan dressed the business women in comfortable, stylish and versatile clothes for all times of day. 1980 also saw many designers expand their ranges to embrace menswear, running parallel with seasonal changes in menswear and headline hitting styles such as Galtiers sarongs for men and collegiate Preppy styles and sportswear at all market levels. From 1986 the fashion industries suffered another slump, but revived traditional crafts so central to the art of haute couture. In 1990's Sales of international couture and ready to wear gradually picked up and with this a lot of young designers joined the field.