question_answer

  What changes occurred in British clothing due to the introduction of new materials and technology?                   Or Describe the changes that occurred in British clothing due to the introduction of new materials and technology?     

Answer:

                  During the industrial revolution in the 19th century Britain started the mass manufacture of cotton textiles. Then cotton clothes became more accessible to a wider section of people. By the early 20th century, artificial fibres made clothes cheaper and easier to wash and maintain. Clothes became lighter, shorter and simpler. Heavy, restrictive underclothes were gradually discarded due to the campaign created by Women's magazines. Women's clothes were ankle length until 1914, as they had been since the 30th century. During First world war, a large number of women started to work in ammunition factories. So clothes became plainer, simpler and skirts became shorter by 1915. Social attitudes about clothing were also dramatically changing. The pressure of new times made people feel the need for change.