Fashion in the Midwest
Durability. Quality. Comfort.
2020-now
2000-10s
1980-90s
1960-70s
Meet the Experts
Denim washes during the early 2000s were usually a medium to dark blue and were often made already faded for that broken-in feeling.
Tommy Hilfiger Jeans (2005)
The maximalist design of the patchwork shows the bohemian vibe of the ballet flats and offers a tactile experience for those wearing them.
Coach Velvet Patchwork Ballet Flats (2003-2004)
The 2000s and this dress go hand in hand. The slip style, featuring a V-neckline and spaghetti straps, was the signature dress style of this era.
J. Crew Floral Printed Dress (2001)
The boldness of the orange, mustard, and pink wool captures the hippie aesthetic of the time and shows how fashion was influenced by parts of different cultures.
Knee-length poncho (1964-1974)
The 70s mod aesthetic and just-above-the-knee skirt trend, accompanied by the rise of synthetic fabrics, led to the widespread use of leather as the primary fabric for high fashion clothing.
Dark green leather skirt (1964-1974)
The hostess slipper trend boomed in the 1960s. It focused on at-home luxury and indoor footwear. Many retailers based in Chicago showcased indoor footwear as a peak of luxury at the time. Elaborate details and textures show the Baroque revival style, that came from high-fashion to every person’s living rooms.
Red brocade slippers (1970-1980s)
The ease and coziness of accessories that elevate an outfit and provide warmth, especially in the Midwest, perfectly capture the casual but polished look of the 2020s.
New York & Company Infinity Scarf (2020)
The sweater shows a relaxed fit, and starting in 2020, there was a shift towards loungewear and ease of clothing.
Altar'd State Reya Ribbed Sweater (2020-2025)
In previous decades, skinny jeans have been dominating the fashion scene; the 2020 fashion era signifies a cultural shift to a looser silhouette and a high-rise fit.
Levi's Relaxed Fit Jeans (2020-2025)
Turquoise silk evening bolero jacket (1990-2000)
The ‘80s shift to more comfortable fabrics not reserved just for special occasions is evident in their fabric choices, such as linen and cotton. This change in style moves away from bold colors and elaborate detail toward simpler, everyday clothing.
Blue and white plain weave linen day dress (1988)
The fabrics used in black tie wear before the 1990s centered more on velvet and linen. The move to cotton in formal wear reflected the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s.
Man's white muslin tuxedo shirt (1990-1999)
The exaggerated and bold clothing from the 1980s continued as padded shoulders dominated the high fashion trends of the 1990s to the 2000s.
Photos Courtesy of the Fashion Archive at Mount Mary University
Turquoise silk evening bolero jacket (1990-2000)
The era's shift to more comfortable fabrics is evident in their fabric choices (linen and cotton), as well as the change in styles.
Blue and white plain weave linen day dress (1988)
The use of breathable cotton was the complete opposite of the more rigid, formal wear of the 1980s, which reflected the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s.
Man's white muslin tuxedo shirt (1990-1999)
The exaggerated and bold clothing from the 1980s continued onwards, and padded shoulders, which then dominated the high fashion trends of the 1990s to the 2000s.
Denim washes during the early 2000s were typically a medium to dark blue and were often created to appear faded, giving the garment an ‘already broken-in’ feel.
Tommy Hilfiger Jeans (2005)
The 2000s and this J.Crew dress go hand in hand. The slip style, featuring a V-neckline and spaghetti straps, was the signature dress style of this era for its ease and sleek look.
J. Crew Floral Printed Dress (2001)
The maximalist design of the patchwork ballet shoes embodies a bohemian vibe that was previously not commonly found in clothing or accessories, especially not in shoes.
Coach Velvet Patchwork Ballet Flats (2003-2004)
Photos Courtesy of Shylee Saladi
Starting in 2020, there was a shift toward loungewear and ease of clothing. The relaxed style of clothing followed a trend of body awareness and inclusivity.
Altar'd State Reya Ribbed Sweater (2020-2025)
The coziness of accessories that elevate an outfit and provide warmth, especially in the Midwest, capture the casual but polished look of the 2020s.
New York & Company Infinity Scarf (2020)
In previous decades, skinny jeans dominated the fashion scene. The 2020 fashion era signified a cultural shift to a looser silhouette and a high-rise fit.
Levi's Relaxed Fit Jeans (2020-2025)
Photos Courtesy of Shylee Saladi
The 70s mod aesthetic of a cleaner, more sophisticated look and just-above-the-knee skirt trend, accompanied by the rise of synthetic fabrics, led to the widespread use of leather as the primary fabric for high fashion clothing.
Dark green leather skirt (1964-1974)
The boldness of the orange, mustard, and pink wool captures the hippie aesthetic of the time and shows how parts of Native American and African cultures influenced fashion.
Knee-length poncho (1964-1974)
The hostess slipper trend boomed in the 1960s. It focused on at-home luxury and indoor footwear. Many retailers based in Chicago showcased indoor footwear as a peak of luxury at the time. Elaborate details and textures display the Baroque revival style, that came from high-fashion to every person’s living rooms.
Red brocade slippers (1970-1980s)
Photos Courtesy of the Fashion Archive at Mount Mary University
What makes the Midwest what it is?
Let’s be real. The Midwest doesn’t have its own distinct look. It’s not flashy. It’s definitely not New York Fashion Week. It’s more of a feel than a specific look. According to experts in the central Midwest, the guide to this regional feel focuses on durability, quality, and comfort. Midwesterners prioritize durability and quality so their clothing will last and will be comfortable enough for effortless, everyday wear. If an item lacks any one of these essential qualities, it likely won’t become a staple item for a Midwesterner.Over the decades, fashion trends, specifically in the Midwest, have aligned with a more practical, comfort-oriented sense of style, shifting from the 1980s focus on linen and cotton to the adoption of denim. Jeans have been kept over the decades because of their warmth and their functionality — making them a staple in the Midwest. The pieces selected for this collection are from Mount Mary Fashion Institute, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and frequent vintage shop goers, like Jennifer Mavin, who reside in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Transcript
Fashion in the Midwest
Durability. Quality. Comfort.
2020-now
2000-10s
1980-90s
1960-70s
Meet the Experts
Denim washes during the early 2000s were usually a medium to dark blue and were often made already faded for that broken-in feeling.
Tommy Hilfiger Jeans (2005)
The maximalist design of the patchwork shows the bohemian vibe of the ballet flats and offers a tactile experience for those wearing them.
Coach Velvet Patchwork Ballet Flats (2003-2004)
The 2000s and this dress go hand in hand. The slip style, featuring a V-neckline and spaghetti straps, was the signature dress style of this era.
J. Crew Floral Printed Dress (2001)
The boldness of the orange, mustard, and pink wool captures the hippie aesthetic of the time and shows how fashion was influenced by parts of different cultures.
Knee-length poncho (1964-1974)
The 70s mod aesthetic and just-above-the-knee skirt trend, accompanied by the rise of synthetic fabrics, led to the widespread use of leather as the primary fabric for high fashion clothing.
Dark green leather skirt (1964-1974)
The hostess slipper trend boomed in the 1960s. It focused on at-home luxury and indoor footwear. Many retailers based in Chicago showcased indoor footwear as a peak of luxury at the time. Elaborate details and textures show the Baroque revival style, that came from high-fashion to every person’s living rooms.
Red brocade slippers (1970-1980s)
The ease and coziness of accessories that elevate an outfit and provide warmth, especially in the Midwest, perfectly capture the casual but polished look of the 2020s.
New York & Company Infinity Scarf (2020)
The sweater shows a relaxed fit, and starting in 2020, there was a shift towards loungewear and ease of clothing.
Altar'd State Reya Ribbed Sweater (2020-2025)
In previous decades, skinny jeans have been dominating the fashion scene; the 2020 fashion era signifies a cultural shift to a looser silhouette and a high-rise fit.
Levi's Relaxed Fit Jeans (2020-2025)
Turquoise silk evening bolero jacket (1990-2000)
The ‘80s shift to more comfortable fabrics not reserved just for special occasions is evident in their fabric choices, such as linen and cotton. This change in style moves away from bold colors and elaborate detail toward simpler, everyday clothing.
Blue and white plain weave linen day dress (1988)
The fabrics used in black tie wear before the 1990s centered more on velvet and linen. The move to cotton in formal wear reflected the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s.
Man's white muslin tuxedo shirt (1990-1999)
The exaggerated and bold clothing from the 1980s continued as padded shoulders dominated the high fashion trends of the 1990s to the 2000s.
Photos Courtesy of the Fashion Archive at Mount Mary University
Turquoise silk evening bolero jacket (1990-2000)
The era's shift to more comfortable fabrics is evident in their fabric choices (linen and cotton), as well as the change in styles.
Blue and white plain weave linen day dress (1988)
The use of breathable cotton was the complete opposite of the more rigid, formal wear of the 1980s, which reflected the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s.
Man's white muslin tuxedo shirt (1990-1999)
The exaggerated and bold clothing from the 1980s continued onwards, and padded shoulders, which then dominated the high fashion trends of the 1990s to the 2000s.
Denim washes during the early 2000s were typically a medium to dark blue and were often created to appear faded, giving the garment an ‘already broken-in’ feel.
Tommy Hilfiger Jeans (2005)
The 2000s and this J.Crew dress go hand in hand. The slip style, featuring a V-neckline and spaghetti straps, was the signature dress style of this era for its ease and sleek look.
J. Crew Floral Printed Dress (2001)
The maximalist design of the patchwork ballet shoes embodies a bohemian vibe that was previously not commonly found in clothing or accessories, especially not in shoes.
Coach Velvet Patchwork Ballet Flats (2003-2004)
Photos Courtesy of Shylee Saladi
Starting in 2020, there was a shift toward loungewear and ease of clothing. The relaxed style of clothing followed a trend of body awareness and inclusivity.
Altar'd State Reya Ribbed Sweater (2020-2025)
The coziness of accessories that elevate an outfit and provide warmth, especially in the Midwest, capture the casual but polished look of the 2020s.
New York & Company Infinity Scarf (2020)
In previous decades, skinny jeans dominated the fashion scene. The 2020 fashion era signified a cultural shift to a looser silhouette and a high-rise fit.
Levi's Relaxed Fit Jeans (2020-2025)
Photos Courtesy of Shylee Saladi
The 70s mod aesthetic of a cleaner, more sophisticated look and just-above-the-knee skirt trend, accompanied by the rise of synthetic fabrics, led to the widespread use of leather as the primary fabric for high fashion clothing.
Dark green leather skirt (1964-1974)
The boldness of the orange, mustard, and pink wool captures the hippie aesthetic of the time and shows how parts of Native American and African cultures influenced fashion.
Knee-length poncho (1964-1974)
The hostess slipper trend boomed in the 1960s. It focused on at-home luxury and indoor footwear. Many retailers based in Chicago showcased indoor footwear as a peak of luxury at the time. Elaborate details and textures display the Baroque revival style, that came from high-fashion to every person’s living rooms.
Red brocade slippers (1970-1980s)
Photos Courtesy of the Fashion Archive at Mount Mary University
What makes the Midwest what it is?
Let’s be real. The Midwest doesn’t have its own distinct look. It’s not flashy. It’s definitely not New York Fashion Week. It’s more of a feel than a specific look. According to experts in the central Midwest, the guide to this regional feel focuses on durability, quality, and comfort. Midwesterners prioritize durability and quality so their clothing will last and will be comfortable enough for effortless, everyday wear. If an item lacks any one of these essential qualities, it likely won’t become a staple item for a Midwesterner.Over the decades, fashion trends, specifically in the Midwest, have aligned with a more practical, comfort-oriented sense of style, shifting from the 1980s focus on linen and cotton to the adoption of denim. Jeans have been kept over the decades because of their warmth and their functionality — making them a staple in the Midwest. The pieces selected for this collection are from Mount Mary Fashion Institute, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and frequent vintage shop goers, like Jennifer Mavin, who reside in Des Moines, Iowa.