Top 10 Crazy Facts About Fashion Through History

Today, we frequently chuckle at the outlandish madness we observe when people follow foolish fashion fads. Fashion trends can come and go quickly, and occasionally they don't initially make sense. Until their purpose is well known, at least. Even though many of us stood there gaping at things like Crocs, they were popular for a reason. History has experienced some much wilder and more intriguing trends.

10 Peter the Great of Russia Cut Off People’s Beards

Towards the conclusion of the 17th century, Peter the Great, the ruler of Russia, embarked on a covert expedition to Europe and resolved to bring about some significant alterations. By observing the ways he could modernize his military and navy, he discovered a way to turn Russia into a formidable force that could protect itself. Additionally, he observed that most Europeans were clean-shaven and believed that if he were to emulate them, he should do it wholeheartedly.

Subsequently, Peter summoned the Russian court and procured a pair of scissors to start trimming beards. He then declared that all men, except peasants and clergy, must shave their beards. This move was met with a quick backlash, particularly from the clergy, who believed that everyone should be allowed to keep their beards for religious reasons.

Although Peter refused to yield completely, he did concede to allow individuals to keep their beards if they were willing to pay a tax. The tax rate varied depending on the class, with the lowest class paying only two kopecks while the nobles could be taxed up to 100 rubles. Even though the tax was not permanent, it persisted for nearly fifty years after Peter the Great's demise.

9 Boots Were Once Huge Because of Horse Manure on Roads

Today, it is uncommon for individuals to wear boots. They are primarily worn by those who work outside and need to protect their feet from specific weather conditions, or by historical enthusiasts. Some individuals may wear boots as a fashion statement, but outside of these reasons, there are few practical purposes for this type of footwear.

However, historical records and literature indicate that boots were once popular and worn by nearly everyone, regardless of their profession. This may seem like a peculiar fashion trend, but it served a practical purpose. During this time, horse manure covered the streets due to the widespread use of horses for transportation. Although some cities had better cleaning systems than others, it was impossible to completely eliminate the issue. Additionally, drainage systems were not always reliable, making it essential to wear boots during storms or sewage backups.

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8 High Heels Were Designed for Soldiers to Ride on Horseback Easier

High heels are now so closely associated with women's fashion that they are almost exclusively worn by women or those who want to identify as women, whether permanently or temporarily. Today, many women reject them as a symbol of the male patriarchy's ability to oppress them and make them wear uncomfortable shoes only for male gratification. The history of heels, however, is far more nuanced and contradictory than that, which is what makes it so fascinating.

To begin with, heels were never intended to be worn by women, nor were they intended to be stylish. The Persian army discovered that its riders could better stay in the stirrups and shoot arrows at the same time while wearing high-heeled boots in the 10th century, which is when heels were first used. Women began donning heels for the first time in the early 17th century, hundreds of years after males began donning more comfortable shoes than women. Still more comfortable than the common spiked platform shoes of the day were the high heels they began donning.

7 Parents Used to Care Little about Gender of Baby Clothing

Nowadays, parents are often concerned about how others will see their children as well as how their child's unconscious growth as a person would be impacted by how they dress and treat them. Even more liberal parents would typically remain with generally gendered attire or at least neural clothing until the child is old enough to make their own decisions. These parents would otherwise let a little child choose their own mode of dress or gendered hobbies.

The folks back then simply didn't understand how a newborn would care what it was dressed in, so they didn't either, even if it may sound bizarre to us now. It's also fascinating to note that, despite the fact that most people didn't give color any thought, those who did had an antiquated perspective on what color is. Pink was traditionally associated with infant boys and blue with baby girls until the 1940s.

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6 Those Fancy Ruffled Cuffs Had a Purpose

The elaborate ruffles that we associate with historical paintings characterized a period of fashion and society and undoubtedly had a lasting impression on a number of people. It is unimaginable to think of a time when both men and women had plunging, ruffled cuffs on their collars and sleeves. The general consensus is that it was just a result of those insane French dandies who were so in vogue at the close of the 18th century. They didn't truly create them, though.

In the 16th century, they were accidentally created. During that era, it was typical for individuals to wear multiple layers of clothing, which made them feel quite warm. To combat the heat, Spanish soldiers slashed their layers to create ventilation. This idea was then taken up by fashion designers and became popular worldwide. Gradually, people also discovered that they could use them as a discreet way to wipe their faces. Although this might sound unappealing, in a time when disposable napkins were not readily available, it was a valuable way to maintain cleanliness.

5 Powdered Wigs Were Often Infested by Insects and Very Filthy

Powdered wigs are often idealized and were a symbol of high society during the colonial era in the Western World. They were highly fashionable and even influential individuals had their portraits painted while wearing them, making it difficult to imagine what they looked like without one. Although they may seem comical by today's standards, it's hard to picture historical figures from that era without a powdered wig.

Regrettably, the illustrations from the past fail to reveal the repulsively unpleasant nature of powdered wigs. While they were susceptible to being infested by other insects, they were especially prone to lice. It goes without saying that if your wig has lice, you are also at risk of getting lice. To compound the issue, several wigs were not crafted from human hair but from goat or horse hair. These wigs were frequently not cleaned appropriately, let alone cleaned regularly. This resulted in most powdered wigs emitting a highly unpleasant odor.

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4 Codpieces Became Popular to Hide All the Syphilis

Numerous individuals have observed depictions of renowned monarchs such as Henry VIII donning hosiery, colossal groin covers, and lengthy, opulent, streaming robes and have been astounded by the exceedingly bizarre attire. As often happens, once a king initiated something, everyone else followed suit. For a period, groin covers became a fashionable item for men. Presently, most individuals ridicule the absurdity of it and even consider that they might have been attempting to compensate for having a diminutive genital area.

However, the reality is even more peculiar than that. During the 15th and 16th centuries, groin covers were becoming prominent, and at the same time, syphilis was also on the rise. Kings mostly began the trend due to conceit, but others swiftly caught on for more reasons than just emulating their ruler. They viewed it as a perfect method, just as the monarchs did, to conceal the symptoms of their severe syphilis and safeguard their vanity. This is because syphilis can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms on a man's genital area that would be almost impossible to conceal if you are donning hosiery.

3 In the Time of Happy Days, Leather Jackets Had a Very Bad Reputation

The leather coat has certainly had an interesting past. Throughout time, it has transitioned from a practical piece of clothing that required minimal cleaning and was extremely durable. However, this was during a time when people had limited wardrobe options. Since then, it has gained popularity amongst motorcycle enthusiasts and has even been associated with criminal activity for a period. This last association caused some controversy several decades ago.

We are not referring to the recent controversy where leather jackets gained popularity through movies, only to lose it after the Columbine tragedy. Instead, we are discussing the censors' concerns during the Happy Days era. They were apprehensive about a teenager wearing a leather jacket and what it might imply. As a result, they only allowed the character to wear it if his motorcycle was present on screen. This led to some comical scenes where the motorcycle was placed in unusual locations such as a school hallway, making the character appear even more rebellious and cool.

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2 Original Point of Men’s Neckwear Was to Protect Lungs from Cold

Neckties are no longer as popular as they used to be. Even in many formal industries, individuals are searching for alternatives. Mark Cuban is famous for not wearing them with his suits, and there are those who prefer bow ties or clip-ons for comfort. Some individuals believe that neckties are constricting and should no longer be a part of men’s high fashion. Others, however, still hold onto the romanticized idea of the necktie.

The truth is that neckties have evolved from their original purpose due to modern technology making them more of a fashion statement than a practical accessory. Men’s neckwear originated from items like the cravat, which is more similar to a scarf than a traditional necktie. The original purpose of men’s neckwear was to keep the lungs warm, similar to a scarf. In areas with a lot of rain, something less bulky than a full scarf that could keep the neck warm was crucial in the days before modern heating.

1 People Used to Always Wear Hats; Now the Hoodie Is Bringing It Back

Presently, hats are not as prevalent as they used to be and are viewed more as an accessory rather than a necessity. Admittedly, a few individuals still opt for baseball caps, primarily for their shielding properties against the sun. Nevertheless, the frequency of hat-wearing has decreased significantly from the time when it was mandatory to wear one every time you went out. Those who hold a sentimental view of hat-wearing would need to travel back in time as it was still a customary practice for most men at the turn of the 20th century.

A myriad of factors, such as the advent of improved heating and air conditioning systems, led to hats falling out of fashion. However, with the deteriorating state of the environment, people have begun to cover their heads again, despite technological advancements. Although hats may not be making a noteworthy comeback, hooded sweatshirts and other hooded garments have become immensely popular since the 1990s. Additionally, while rain hats may not be in vogue, raincoats are incomplete without a hood to go with them. This demonstrates that although the form of fashion may change, its utility often comes full circle.

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