👯‍♀️Costume History Unit 10 – Late 20th Century Fashion: 1960s-1980s

Key Fashion Trends

• Miniskirts and shift dresses popularized by designers like Mary Quant in the 1960s represented a youthful, liberated spirit
• Bohemian and hippie styles of the late 1960s included bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye, and peasant blouses reflecting counterculture movements
• Platform shoes and boots became popular in the 1970s, adding height and a bold statement to outfits
  • Styles ranged from chunky wooden soles to sleek metallic finishes
• Disco fashion of the 1970s featured shimmery, body-conscious clothing like jumpsuits, halter tops, and hot pants
• Punk fashion emerged in the late 1970s with ripped clothing, safety pins, and provocative graphics challenging mainstream style
• Power dressing in the 1980s included bold shoulders, tailored suits, and statement accessories projecting confidence and authority
  • Women's suits featured exaggerated shoulder pads and nipped-in waists
• Neon colors and geometric patterns were hallmarks of 1980s fashion, reflecting a bold, energetic aesthetic

Cultural Influences

• Second-wave feminism of the 1960s and 70s impacted fashion with androgynous styles and trousers for women becoming more accepted
• Civil rights and Black Power movements inspired Afrocentric fashion incorporating bold colors, patterns, and natural hairstyles
• Music subcultures like punk, hip-hop, and new wave developed distinct fashion styles that spread into mainstream trends
  • Punk fashion drew from DIY culture and featured intentionally distressed or destroyed garments
• Films like Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Flashdance (1983) sparked disco and dancewear trends
• MTV's launch in 1981 created a new platform for musicians and celebrities to influence fashion
• Globalization and multiculturalism in the 1980s led to increased interest in non-Western fashion influences
  • Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto gained international recognition

Iconic Designers and Labels

• Mary Quant, known for popularizing the miniskirt, represented the youthful energy of 1960s London fashion
• Yves Saint Laurent introduced Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women in 1966, blurring gender lines in fashion
• Halston's minimalist, draped designs in the 1970s defined the decade's glamorous disco aesthetic
• Vivienne Westwood, often called the "godmother of punk," incorporated provocative, edgy elements into her designs
• Giorgio Armani's deconstructed, soft-shouldered suits in the 1980s offered a relaxed alternative to structured power dressing
• Thierry Mugler and Gianni Versace created bold, sculptural silhouettes with strong shoulders and nipped waists in the 80s
• Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein defined American style with their ready-to-wear sportswear and jeans

Materials and Techniques

• Synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex became more prevalent, allowing for stretchy, form-fitting garments
  • Lycra, invented in 1958, was increasingly used in activewear and dancewear
• Textile innovations led to the development of metallic fabrics, holographic materials, and lamé
• Nylon and vinyl were used for outerwear, shoes, and accessories, creating a futuristic aesthetic
• Screen printing techniques allowed for bold, graphic designs on t-shirts and other garments
• The rise of fast fashion in the 1980s led to increased production of lower-quality, trend-driven clothing
• Stonewashing and acid-washing techniques created distressed, worn-in looks for denim
• Velcro and plastic zippers were incorporated into garments and accessories for convenience and sporty styles

Subcultures and Street Style

• Hippie fashion of the late 1960s featured floral prints, fringe, and embroidery inspired by non-Western cultures
• Glam rock style in the early 1970s included androgynous, flamboyant looks with glitter, platform boots, and bold makeup
• Punk fashion, emerging in the 1970s, incorporated safety pins, studded leather, and ripped garments as anti-establishment statements
  • DIY customization of clothes was central to punk style
• Hip-hop fashion in the 1980s featured oversized, colorful sportswear, gold jewelry, and sneakers
• Goth subculture drew from Victorian and punk influences with dark colors, lace, and leather
• Preppy style, popularized in the 1980s, included polo shirts, khakis, and sweaters tied around the shoulders
• Street style began to gain more influence on high fashion trends, with designers drawing inspiration from urban subcultures

Fashion Capitals and Runway Shows

• London's Carnaby Street and Kings Road were centers of youth fashion in the 1960s, with boutiques like Mary Quant's Bazaar
• Paris remained a key fashion capital, with designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin leading haute couture
• New York City's garment district and Seventh Avenue were hubs for American sportswear and ready-to-wear
• Milan emerged as a major fashion center in the 1970s and 80s, with Italian designers like Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace
• Fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and London became increasingly important for showcasing new collections
  • Runway shows evolved into theatrical productions with elaborate sets and music
• The rise of supermodels in the 1980s, like Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, added star power to fashion shows
• Japanese designers, such as Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, brought avant-garde designs to Paris runways

Media and Celebrity Impact

• Fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar continued to shape trends and feature top models and designers
• The rise of television in the 1960s and 70s provided new platforms for fashion exposure, such as variety shows and sitcoms
• Celebrities like Jane Fonda and Farrah Fawcett popularized activewear and hairstyles in the 1970s and 80s
• MTV's launch in 1981 created a new outlet for musicians to influence fashion, with music videos showcasing bold styles
  • Madonna's ever-changing looks in her music videos and performances set trends throughout the 1980s
• Films like Annie Hall (1977) and Pretty in Pink (1986) showcased distinctive fashion styles that were adopted by mainstream audiences
• Soap operas and primetime dramas in the 1980s featured fashionable characters whose styles were emulated by viewers
• The emergence of paparazzi culture in the 1980s led to increased focus on celebrity street style and off-duty looks

Legacy and Influence on Modern Fashion

• 1960s fashion's youthful, liberating spirit continues to inspire modern designers and trends
  • Miniskirts, shift dresses, and bold colors remain popular style elements
• Bohemian and hippie styles of the late 1960s and early 70s have experienced revivals in festival fashion and vintage-inspired looks
• 1970s disco fashion has been referenced in contemporary evening wear and party attire
• Punk fashion's DIY aesthetic and rebellious attitude have influenced contemporary streetwear and high fashion
• 1980s power dressing has been updated with softer silhouettes and fabrics for modern workwear
• Neon colors and bold geometric patterns from the 1980s continue to resurface in fashion cycles
• Designers like Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs have drawn inspiration from 1970s and 80s styles in their collections
• Vintage and secondhand clothing from the 1960s-80s remains popular among fashion enthusiasts and collectors