Fashion Inspired By the Decades: 1960's - 1980's
From the Mod 1960's to the Pop 1980's, we've got fashion trends from every decade!
Then:
Now:
Peace, Love, 1960's
Metallic Dress by Oh My Love ($63 - topshop.com), Black Tassel Earrings ($35 - vincecamuto.com), Banana Republic Jasmine Box Clutch ($60 - bananarepublic.gap.com), SCOOP Perfect Tights - Cashmere ($42 - scoopnyc.com), Born Molly in Savoirda Metallic ($95 - shoeline.com), SUOLI Casual pants ($85- yoox.com), Ivory Victoriana blouse ($29 - dorothyperkins.com), MICHAEL Michael Kors Rabbit vest ($225 - net-a-porter.com), Bakers Herringbone Cap ($19 - bakersshoes.com), Born Roslyn in Mandorla Veg ($185 - shoeline.com), Mini Dress ($45 - modcloth.com), Cambridge Vintage Red Envelope Shoulder Bag ($94 - chicnova.com), Miss Selfridge Black Felt Floppy Hat ($49 - missselfridge.com), Born Olana in Nero Suede ($275 - shoeline.com)
The sixties were all about breaking the mold. Whether in society or in the world of pop-culture, the 1960's became a time of Anti-conformity, Rock & Roll, Peace, Love, and Pushing Limits. Out of the 60's came a wave of Fashion evolution, taking the hour glass curvature and mid-calf lenth dresses of the 1950's, and molding a completely opposite trend consisting of shapeless, ambiguous, and very short "mini" dresses. This style, which started by a new generation of young Modernists in Britain, became the staple of 1960's fashion - better known as "Mod." The "mini" dress, since it'sdebut in 1960, has never left the Fashion Industry, presenting itself in many colors, fabrics, and adornments, but yet it's mid-thigh length remains the same. Where Brit Mod took on brightly colored, quadrilateral patterns, America took on the mod A-line mini dress a bit differed using flashy gold and silver embellishments or simply solid colors such as black or white. Often times, the mini-dress was worn with platform boots that came up over the knee, or simple ballet flats. When I think of this look, I think of Twiggy - or Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgewick, and the Silver Factory - an age of expression and youth in revolt. Today, I have seen the mod culture inspire many new trends. For instance, I went shopping for a dress for New Years Eve and everywhere I went had at least one mini dress with long sleeves and a high neckline. The modern twist of this look keeps the flashy embellishments used in the past, but pulls away from the A-line shape and heavy material, giving it a more flexible and fitted look. The other side of fashion in the later 1960's was the high-waisted, wide leg bell bottoms, the light, chiffon, flutter blouses, turtlenecks and, of course, the fur vests which lead towards the fashion of the 70's.
Then:
Now:
Disco Dancing 1970
J BRAND Metallic Coated Stretch Denim Jeans ($390 - luisaviaroma.com), Karen Millen Peplum T-shirt ($55 - karenmillen.com), Alexis Bittar Gold Pyramid Post Earring ($95 - alexisbittar.com),Zara Large Leather Clutch ($60 - zara.com),Me Too Leeanna in Black Suede ($101 - shoeline.com), Monserat De Lucca Belen Tote ($95 - monseratdelucca.com), River Island Red Corduroy High Waisted Shorts ($40 - riverisland.com), Joie Eleanor Top ($198 - joie.com), Danielle Stevens Jewelry Monogrammed Long Chain Necklace in Gold ($100 - couturecandy.com), Sofft Bellvue in Tan ($205 - shoeline.com), Goldsign Elan mid-rise flared corduroy jeans ($111 - theoutnet.com), TOPSHOP Multi Floral Print Corset ($60 - topshop.com), MADEWELL The Jean Jacket In Storm Cloud Wash ($118 - madewell.com), Longchamp Le Pliage Small Bag ($77- harrods.com), Vintage Veronica in Peanut Bison ($299 - shoeline.com)
The early 1970's continued with the peasant tops, bell-bottom, hippie look of the late 60's, but as the decade moved forward, loose fitting attire became a bit more scarce - to say the least. The 70's took the lenth of a shirt from below the waist to above the belly buttom, hence the term: "belly shirt." The 70's also took the length of shorts from mid-thigh to, well, real high - hence the term: "booty shorts." The 70's was a decade of freedom and openness, which can also be attributed to the lack of coverage provided in 70's fashion trends (my observation - not a fact). As the decade moved forward, and the music changed from anti-war, Rock & Roll beats of the 60's to the post-war upbeat and carefree celebritory music. With the post-war culture change, came a sociatal "dance, dance, revolution." This new social lightness, changed the fashion industry greatly, turning away from the nuetral, grunge, hippie look of the anti-war movement and creating pieces based around this new social epidemic called "Disco Fever." The Disco days were flashy, tight fit attire, big hair, big shoes, and big dance moves. Today, the early 70's style is more relevant in the fashion world, mimicked with bell bottoms, but tighter fit with smaller flare. We also see a new rendition of the "belly shirt" in crop tops which I saw reappear all last summer. We dont often see the Disco style being revived (which is probably good), but subtly it appears in modern day fashion trends with brightly colored leggings and "funky" platform shoes - got to love those platform shoes!
Then:
Now:
VOGUE 1980'S
Kate Spade New York Spotted Floral Lace Sheer Tight ($29 - couture.zappos.com), Miss Selfridge PROJECT #3 Tutu Dress ($61 - missselfridge.com), Mesh Cuff, Gold ($42 - lastcall.com), Belle Noel Beaded Cross Bracelet ($45 - cusp.com), House of Harlow 1960 Sunburst Pendant Necklace ($63 - shopbop.com), Cara Accessories Crystal Spiral Bracelet, Black ($95 - neimanmarcus.com), GUESS Leather Bow Clutch ($42 - guess.com), Isola Coralia in Black ($210 - shoeline.com), River Island Light Acid Wash Amelie Superskinny Jeans ($56 - riverisland.com). Bardot Peplum Top ($63 - bardot.com.au), Betsey Johnson Candylane Bow Necklace ($40 - zappos.com), Parisian Black Leather-Look Puff Shoulder Biker Jacket ($64 - newlook.com), Skechers SKCH Plus 3 - Dunk It in Black ($77 - shoeline.com), Debolina Dress by Motel ($51 - topshop.com), Alzare Metallic Stretch Belt: Gold ($39 - intermixonline.com),Asos Velvet Oversized Bow Tie ($14 - asos.com), Kendra Scott Cushion Cabochon Earrings, Black ($75 - neimanmarcus.com), black glitter vinyl hinge wallet ($20 - hottopic.com), Isola Dore II in Black Patent ($106 - shoeline.com)
Ahh the 80's...the decade of brit pop, madonna, and material girls all over the world. I love the bright colors and crazy attire of the 80's. Those multi-colored jumpsuits, leg warmers, cindy lauper hig hairstyles, and the scrunchy. When I think of the 80's in a nutshell, these come to mind: pez, trolls, Jane Fonda, and one of my favorite bands Pulp (check em out). Either way, we can all agree that the 80's we funny, bubbly, care-free, and yes, very materialistic. The 80's were a time where there wasn't much worry, the country was at an economic high, we did not fear war, and a new generation of happy- go-luckys were born. These factors all together provided a great environment for the entertainment industry to surge. With the rise of MTV Madonna's hit song "Like a Virgin," society began to look at their favorite stars a role models in life, love, and most importantly, fashion. Brand names became increasingly important in the 80's because everyone needed to mimick their favorite celebritys and wear only the most popular trends of the day. Another trend moving forward was the Women of the Workplace attire, evolving from the idea that women in an office was no longer unusual and women were now establishing their own "power" in the working world. The style for women workers often consisted of women's suits, shoulder pads, pointed toes, and spike heels. The ideology of this style was the idea of masculating a women to make her equally as powerful as men in the workplace. Of course the more outrageous couture of the time stemmed from the pop Cindy Laupers, Madonna's, and Pat Benetars of the time with the big hair, red lipstick, and layered jewelry. We often see this "pop star" look today through lace tights, tutu dresses and Peplum shirts and dresses. Leggings have also resurfaced in current years only in the form of solid black or "jeggings." Leg warmers have also re-joined the fashion world but are often worn with tall boots and skinny jeans. However the 80's "Jane Fonda" has still yet to surface and (I pray) it doesnt anytime soon...:-O