Even if you fell asleep in history class, there’s no doubt you can recall some of the most iconic style stars and fashion trends of the past. Fashion’s starring role in history is unquestionable. Coco Chanel is one of the most well known names in fashion, and even though she rose to fame back in the 1920s, her name continues to be synonymous with chic sophistication even today. In the 1950s, the original modern bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, inspired the art world and entertainment industry, and women still strive to emulate her style. Jackie O captivated the nation with her distinct personal style, effortlessly harmonizing timeless elegance and modern sophistication, and defining an era with her sleek suits, A-line dresses, and pillbox hats. In the late sixties, tie-dye and bell-bottoms affirmed one’s allegiance to flower power, which was more than just a fashion statement - it was a social movement determined to save the world. The eighties brought us power suits and punk rock - opposite ends of the spectrum represented by Princess Diana and Madonna, respectively. And then there was grunge and plaid, baby doll dresses and scrunchies, neon and leather, and so on, and so on. It’s hard to put a label on fashion today, as designers, style icons, and even fashionistas like us find a wealth of inspiration from the past. It’s about reinventing and reinterpreting the trends that speak to you, and having fun with your own personal style!

Fashion’s always forward, but designers often look back for inspiration. So while trends may come and go … they inevitably return, better than ever! Travel back through time as we look at the historical inspiration ingrained in some of CAbi’s hottest pieces.

20s: The free spirited flowy-ness of CAbi’s Sonnet Blouse is almost reminiscent of the sixties and seventies, but the design features actually stem back much further. The long torso of the blouse that hits at the hip creates a flapper style silhouette, and the silk fabric, small floral print, and panels on the front are also suggestive of twenties style.

30s: It’s all in the details! The puff cuffs and billowy bow on the Arabella Blouse speak to the feminine details that arose in the thirties.

40s: Women of the forties paved the way for us to borrow from the boys, but they still wanted a feminine shape to set them apart. The high waistline of CAbi’s Drama Pant cinches in at just the right place to create that oh-so-feminine hourglass, and then loosely flows over the hips and thighs for a strong and feminine, silhouette. Katharine Hepburn would be proud!

50s: The shrunken boxy silhouette of the Hostess Coat, complete with military inspiration, brass buttons and square shoulders, is a marvelously modern take on fifties masculine chic.

60s: The Blair Coat is the epitome of sixties sophistication, a la Jackie O. It conveys her cool confidence. The boxy bell shape is not intended to be a slim silhouette - it’s oversized without being overwhelming.

70s: There are few things more universally flattering than the perfect wrap dress. Diane von Furstenberg first introduced this style in 1972 when working women needed stylish yet easy to wear clothes. Since then, this feminine fashion has become a staple for both work and play, and CAbi’s faux wrap makes it safer in the winter winds.

80s: Audrey Hepburn inspired cigarette pants that tapered in to hit at the ankle, and in the eighties, her simply sexy style was translated through denim. CAbi’s Ankle Jeans are an updated take on the fitted jeans made popular in the eighties, and both then and now, an oversized blouse completes the effortlessly casual chic look.

One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure, and vintage shopping is the ultimate fashionista treasure hunt! Vintage shopping plays an essential role as designers develop their Collections each season. When Carol and her design team saw this vintage tapestry, the wheels started turning, and eventually fashioned CAbi’s Fall 09 Chinoiserie Jacket and Skirt.

Are you ready for an exciting excursion? Set aside plenty of time, and arm yourself with a plan and a positive attitude ready to dig. Bring tearouts from magazines or a list of items you’re looking for. This will help you stay afloat in an otherwise overwhelming sea of garments. Scan the racks for quality fabrics and unique prints; look for classic cuts and designer labels. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and visualize a peculiar piece’s potential. When you find your hidden treasure, test buttons, clasps, and zippers, and check the underarms and linings for stains or damage. Always try things on or measure them, as they may not match today’s standard of sizing. Keep in mind that you can tailor down, but making garments bigger is quite a bit trickier. Take into account the cost of repair before purchasing. Vintage, antique, and thrift stores are also the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind jewelry, belts, and bags that are sure to make you shine!

Check out this cute little number that the CAbi design team recently snagged at one of their favorite flea markets. Just wait and see how they artistically reinterpret it in their Spring 2010 Collection!

Think you can’t wear high waist skirts? Think again! This sleek style is for everyone and looks great on every body. It hits at your natural waist to highlight or enhance your shape - we’ll all have an hourglass with a high waist skirt! Tuck it in, leave it out, layer it up, or belt it. Wear it dressy or casual, the options are endless. Whether you fancy flats or heels, boots or pumps, a high waist skirt is sure to put a little stylish spring in your step!

Ever wonder where your style staples came from? Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. If you’ve got a flair for fashion, this is one history lesson you won’t want to miss!

Denim
In 1969, a writer for American Fabrics magazine declared, “Denim is one of the world’s oldest fabrics, yet it remains eternally young.” While many of us associate the dawn of desirable denim with Calvin Klein and Levi’s 501, jeans were actually fashioned centuries earlier. Denim originated concurrently in 17th century France in a town called Nimes, and in India, where sailors of Dhunga wore denim trousers (which we know today as dungarees). Even back then, European fashion eventually made its way to the states, and in 1850, a German dry goods merchant named Levi Strauss began selling Levi’s blue jeans to California mining communities. Our contemporary culture has seen the jean trend ebb and flow. In the 1950’s, teenagers wore blue jeans as an act of rebellion, but by the sixties and seventies, jeans became more widely accepted, making their way into general fashion. The eighties saw decreased popularity, followed by a resurgence in the nineties, thanks to the rise of grunge rock. Today, even in a shaky economy, denim sales continue to thrive.

Shoulder Pads
Often associated with the forties and eighties, this style actual originated in the thirties when Elsa Schiaparelli used them in her designs. The first shoulder pads were semicircle or triangle shaped fabric stuffed with wool, cotton, or even sawdust. During WWII, women’s fashion became more militarized and shoulder pads became more prominent and bulky. In the eighties, shoulder pads were a statement of “power dressing” and gave the perceptions of status and position. Many garments even included Velcro, allowing the option of multiple pads. While some of us have hidden away our photos of the eighties, shoulder pads are making a sleek and chic comeback in some of this Fall’s hottest jackets.

Pant Suit
Back in the twenties, women stepped up to fill the roles that men left behind to fight in the war, and they quite literally began to wear the pants. Fast-forward to the sixties, and pants were totally acceptable and even prevalent in women’s fashions, and today, pants are part of women’s everyday style. Pant suits adapt to the decade with updated jacket silhouettes, fabric, and style of pant.

Flare Pants (Bell Bottoms)
Though many fashionistas attribute the rise of bellbottoms in fashion to Ms. Coco Chanel, bellbottoms actually have naval origins stemming way back to the 1800s. Bellbottoms became fashionable in the mid-sixties, went from high fashion to hippy couture in the late sixties, and then totally mainstream in the seventies. Like most fashion trends, they faded away for a time, but took the spotlight again in the nineties when the bootcut offered a toned down version. Today, some of the hottest jean designers are embracing bellbottoms. Case in point: CAbi’s Super Flare!

Cardigan
The cardigan has been a closet constant throughout the decades. It’s one of those staples that seem to have existed forever. So where did it come from? The namesake of the cardigan stems back to the 1800s and British commander James Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who was the first known to wear the cardigan in popular culture. The cardigan became increasingly popular when it provided invaluable warmth to fisherman of the French and British Isles around the same time. Chanel reintroduced cardigans into contemporary culture in the twenties as part of a women’s suit. And though Mr. Rogers may be the most famous wearer of the cardigan, he is not alone in his love for the style. Whether cutesy and classic, or glitzy and glamorous, their popularity continues through time with women of all ages and styles.

Little Black Dress
Often referred to as the LBD, this wardrobe staple is near and dear to the hearts of all women. But whom do we have to thank? The LBD was first made popular in the twenties by Coco Chanel as a neutral, timeless, and effortless style, and it was soon established as a necessity in every woman’s closet. During the Great Depression and WWII, this simple style continued to fit within the limitation of textile rations. Throughout the decades, the Little Black Dress has taken on many different shapes and silhouettes, but it has remained a constant symbol of style and sophistication. Today, thanks to the LBD, women will always have a go-to for looking both effortlessly classy and appropriately sexy.