American Style - Episode Guide

Exploring style in the 1940s and 50s: how World War II (American soldiers go to war; women go to work) and Hollywood helped create America's own fashion identity; the introduction of new trends including the bikini and zoot suit; the fashion world is transformed as the economy grows; a growing Cold War builds.

Exploring the style of the ‘60s and ‘70s: A new sense of confidence brings changes to society; the youth culture comes into its own and fashion, like politics, will go to extremes; new subcultures emerge out of the turmoil of the era and demand equal rights.

The Reagan presidency ushers in a new era of optimism which leads to extravagance and greed; brands capitalize on the spending while Wall Street capitalizes on the public; marginalized communities find new ways to express themselves.

As the millennium draws to a close, fashion pushes back against the excess of the '80s and women make strides in the workplace and the media; in the 2000s, a new decade brings a brave new world in the form of the internet and social media.