Little pieces of material crafted into various implements we call shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, etc. that we wear to cover our bodies and keep warm in cold weather. Clothing and it's creation is a multi-billion dollar industry a year and there are folks who specialize in creating certain types, or styles, of clothing. They are called clothing designers or stylists.



In the last several years some styles of by-gone eras have made a come back and are referred to as 'vintage' or 'retro' styles. Certain styles of clothing of the 50s, 60s and 70s are quite popular at the present time. Styles such as the bell bottoms and loose flowing skirts and shirts of the 'hippie' generation, and the funky cross between 50s-ish country and rock styles known as 'rock-a-billy'.

The 'Rock-a-billy' style of clothing for women evokes the images of 50s pin-up girls, such as the ever popular Betty Page and Jane Mansfield. Everything from the classic Little Black Dress made popular by the Queen of Class, Jackie O herself, to the cutesy little blue 'sailor dresses' that were extremely popular with the teenage girls of the day.

For the guys who really dig the 'rock-a-billy' look there are the jazzed up versions of the old button down styles of shirts made popular by Elvis Presley and the pimped out versions of the bowling shirt. And, then there is the classic Hawaiian shirt in the variety of bright and bold colors that defines the particular style.

Clothing can be a defining characteristic style for many folks. Flamboyant musicians such as Liberace were known for their extravagant and very flashy style of dressing. Porter Waggoner, a well-known country musician and singer, also had a particular style of dress that he was known for. The jazzed up country western shirt, jacket, pants with lots of rhinestones ,cowboy boots and bolero tie was a trademark of his persona.

Elvis Presley defined the rock-a-billy style of the 50s and early 60s. The baggy tweed suits and spiffy two-toned dress shoes of the era along with the buttoned down short sleeved shirts he helped to make so popular. He was one of the first performers of the 'rock-a-billy' style of music that evolved into the various styles of 'rock' music we know today.

Clothing styles come and go with each decade and clothing designers may draw upon the by-gone ages of the flowing Greek and Roman styles of clothing for inspiration or they may go as recent as the 20th century for their inspiration. As the old saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun and this is definitely true when it comes to clothing styles. All one needs to do is look around to see how the clothing styles of long past ages have a huge influence on the clothing styles of our modern day world.

Whether you like the classic and sophisticated style of Jackie O or prefer the more modern 'Goth' look of many of today's younger folks that evokes the Victorian era of dress style of long coats and poet shirts, or you develop a style all your own, clothing will play a very important role in your everyday life. It will help define who you are to the world around you.

Whatever style of clothing you choose, experiment and have fun creating your own particular wardrobe and dress style. Whatever you wear, wear it well!