Russian women of the 20th century (PHOTOS)

1900-10s

What images do you associate with pre-revolutionary Russian ladies? Probably peasant women...

...or gymnasium students...

And, of course, aristocrats

MORE PHOTOS from the 1900–10s available here

1920s

After the Revolution, everything changed, including women’s appearance. The first Komsomol members made leather jackets fashionable, and the NEP era and avant-garde art ushered in stylish hats and dresses.

The era’s defining sex symbol was Lilya Brik with her overt eroticism.

MORE PHOTOS from the 1920s available here

1930s

At the height of Stalinism, when collectivization and industrialization were sweeping the USSR, women were expected, above all, to be useful members of society. You won't see many fashionistas in old photos of this time — they were condemned as carriers of harmful capitalist values.

But you will see workers...

...peasant laborers...

... and athletes.

MORE PHOTOS from the 1930s available here

1940s

World War II recalibrated the way that Russian women looked and dressed. Many dressed in military uniform

or worked in factories in the rear

Only long-awaited Victory on May 9, 1945, allowed people to relax — simple pleasures, such as walking and sunbathing by the sea, were caught on camera.

MORE PHOTOS from the 1940s available here

1950s

The post-war years, the death of Stalin, and the start of the “Khrushchev thaw” completely transformed the fairer half of the USSR.

These were the years of smiles

... hopes for a new life...

... and a return to la dolce vita

MORE PHOTOS from the 1950s available here

1960s

The Khrushchev thaw continued, the smiles became wider. Women started sporting trendy glasses, high hairstyles, and snazzy chintz dresses.

The first fashionistas appeared.

Beautiful actresses conquered male hearts and became immortalized in screen classics.

MORE PHOTOS from the 1960s available here

1970s

These were the years of the Brezhnev stagnation, yet the lives of ordinary Soviet people were in full swing. Women found time for stylish hairdos

And acquired hard-to-get fashionable coats.

And enjoyed life in their own, albeit cramped, living space

MORE PHOTOS from the 1970s available here

1980s

Gorbachev's perestroika brought new hopes for the future, and the first sips of freedom changed the image and outlook of Soviet women — their outfits and appearance speak louder than words.

Oversized glasses were a sign of the times

The music changed too, and the country saw its first rockers

MORE PHOTOS from the 1980s available here

1990s

With the collapse of the USSR, the borders were opened, Russia embraced Western trends, and a mood of total freedom and permissiveness prevailed.

Women discovered snow-washed jeans, bright leggings, and fishnet tights.

Prostitutes were also an unmistakable sign of the “wild 90s”

MORE PHOTOS from the 1990s available here