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During
the French Revolution (1789-1795), the elegant dress styles associated with the French
nobility were replaced by simpler fashions. After Napoleon became emperor in 1804, he
brought back elaborate fashions in clothing in court.
During the World War II (1939-1945), the shortage of fabrics limited new fashions. The governments of many countries restricted fabric that could be used in various garments. Nylon stockings were also scarce during World War II and many women began to wear leg paint.
The development of new dyes, machinery and textiles has greatly affected most areas of fashion, especially clothing. The style of dress has changed frequently in countries that have highly mechanized production systems.
During the 1700s, new dyes made new colour combinations possible. In the late 1700s, the invention of the toothed cotton gin, the power loom and the foot-and water-powered machinery for spinning and weaving made factory production of cloth possible.
After the Industrial Revolution began in Europe in the 18th century, it became
increasingly possible to produce cloth and clothing quickly and inexpensively. The
invention of foot- and water-powered machinery stimulated the development of the sewing
machine. Barthelemy Thimonnier of Paris patented the first practical machine in 1830.
Improved versions soon followed, including one by 
Isaac
M. Singer of Pittstown, N.Y., in 1851.
Fashionable clothing styles began to spread rapidly from the upper classes to the
middle and working classes in the West. As communications improved, styles also spread to
members of the elite classes in other parts of the world. Mass production of clothing
meant that the traditional clothing styles of Africa, Asia, and the Americas were largely
replaced by everyday European styles.
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