At the end of the 20th century, it was difficult to find even a thin blouse without shoulder pads. Then they were forgotten until recent times. Now designers have rediscovered a detail that can significantly correct the silhouette.
What are shoulder pads?
Shoulder pads mean a “device” made of thin foam rubber and fabric (most often to match the clothing for which the part is being made), inserted into the shoulder area of a blouse, dress, jacket or jacket.
A little trick can:
give too narrow shoulders the “correct” shape;- correct an asymmetrical figure due to scoliosis;
- correct a defect in fabric that has stretched out under the weight of an item hanging on a hanger for a long time;
- become an independent decorative element.
Important! A high and wide shoulder pad can be intimidating due to its bulkiness. But this object can have different shapes and sizes. So, for the raglan sleeve they came up with a small oval detail - the thing fits like a glove!
Why are shoulder pads called a feminist trend?
The last century has gone down in history as a time when women managed to win an equal place in the sun with men. In sports, in business and in politics! To achieve this, fragile women's shoulders had to become more masculine - at least visually. That's when shoulder pads came to the rescue.
The beginning was made by courageous sportswomen and fashion designers inspired by their images: 1931 was marked by the collection of M. Rocha and E. Ciparelli, the highlight of which was the special shoulder pads borrowed from sports equipment. The innovation soon received powerful reinforcement from Hollywood: Joan Crawford's dress with reinforced shoulders signaled the emergence of a new trend.
The Second World War also made its contribution. Wanting to emphasize their courage, women holding ranks with men both at the front and in the rear, dressed in jackets and jackets with high, hard shoulders. The fashion for femininity returned in the first post-war decades, and the shoulder pad disappeared from women's outfits - flowy, emphasizing fragility, sometimes evoking sexuality.
However, the 80s brought it back to life again: ladies like Margaret Thatcher reminded the world of the possibility ladies to be iron and once again be on par with men. Clothing acquired sharp contours and enlarged shapes, suggesting a pronounced shoulder on any model of women's clothing.
Later, this fashion lost ground again, but not for long. As always, the stars intervened in the matter, and now they appeared to the public in clothes with shoulder pads:
- recognized beauty Kim Kardashian;
- shocking Lady Gaga;
- the always stylish wife of David Beckham.
However, the appearance of the newly fashionable element has changed somewhat!
Advice! Despite the cyclical nature of fashion, it’s hardly worth taking mom’s packaged outfits from the 80s and 90s off the mezzanine and wearing them like the good old days. However, having properly shaken up this “legacy”, you can add a couple of things with old-style shoulder pads to your wardrobe - a small almost vintage element can become a highlight!
Fashionable things with shoulder pads - what?
Having become unaccustomed to silhouettes with a fairly massive shoulder line, many fashionistas are wary of designers' innovations - will the image turn out to be too rough?
But A distinctive feature of the modern shoulder pad is its movement, often to the “face” of the thing, although it can also be present on the reverse side: decorated with rivets, flashy buttons, shining rhinestones and sequins, and even chains, the detail has become a kind of epaulette.
Important! An item with decorative shoulder pads requires a minimum of other decorations, otherwise the bow will be overloaded. A discreet necklace, a thin chain with a miniature pendant, and a couple of rings are enough.
When, where and with what can you wear them?
It is worth following simple rules to ensure that clothes with a fashionable element look advantageous.
The reinforced shoulders were intended to be the “center player” of the look, and other elements of the ensemble should be more restrained. The most worthy “partners” are things with a tight-fitting, visually elongated silhouette. Ideal - a blazer equipped with shoulder pads with a skinny or any version of skinny pants, shorts, or a pencil skirt.
Long narrow sleeves are almost mandatory – this combination will emphasize the slimness of the figure. Thus, a short dress with small shoulder pads and long sleeves will not only make you look taller, but will also allow you to demonstrate your slender legs.
In addition to the traditional horizontal version, models with a slightly upturned, sharp top have come into fashion. Its purpose is create the illusion of being taller, but by going a little overboard with the sharpness of the details, you can get a fantastic to the point of comical image. The possibility of using such an element in a business style is also questionable. But at an informal party it’s well worth trying!
Advice! Does your inner aesthetic sense categorically rebel against a fashion trend? Don't try to drown it out! A silhouette with wide shoulders is suitable only for a self-confident person who is not afraid to literally go beyond the boundaries. If this doesn’t apply to you, there’s no point in breaking the old rule: “Don’t spoil yourself by following fashion!”
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