An Analysis of Cycles in Skirt Lengths and Widths in the UK and Germany,1954-1990

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to further understanding of the development of clothing fashions in Europe by investigating fashion cycles in two European countries, whether clothing dimensions show greater within-year variety over time, and whether differences can be observed between the dimensions of clothing fashionable in two different markets.

Skirt length and skirt width data from mail-order catalogs in the UK and Germany were analyzed over the time period 1954-1990. The data suggest that for skirt lengths, both countries exhibit cyclical movements as well as increases in the within-year variability over the time period studied. Results for skirt width were less conclusive in terms of cyclical movement, although these figures did exhibit a high level of within-year variability. The data also indicated a high level of similarity in skirt length dimensions between the UK and German catalogs, although skirt width dimensions were found to vary quite extensively.