How To Dress Through The Ages.

So we all like finding that bargain piece down our local charity shop, that everyone asks “where did you get that from?” I love that smug feeling I get. But its not always easy to spot the diamond among the rough, so I though I’d share with you some tips on how to spot clothing from different era’s, so you can dress through the ages.

1940’s

French Women 1945

Women wearing dresses to resemble Allied flags- American, French, British & Russian

Italian postcard of a bathing beauty, showing the transition from bare midriff to fully exposed belly button 1947.

In the 40’s with the WW2 going on the world saw the 1st mass use of man made fibers in clothing manufacturing. The classic 1940’s style is A-line skirts/dress, but mainly workforce and utility dress, there was a focus on DIY fashion with many articles on how to change a mans suit into a women’s suit. It was illegal to buy clothing from abroad, including Ireland which was a neutral country, in Britain when clothing rationing was going on, if you were caught you would get a serious fine.

1950’s

Couture Chanel 1950’s

Cristobal Balenciaga’s day dress

Dior’s New Look

The Teddy Boy’s

The 50’s saw a change in female dress after Dior’s New Look was unveiled in 1947. Following wartime measures in the 40’s women wanted to look feminine again. Designers such as Balenciaga, Laroche and Givenchy (the designer of the classic little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) were iconic in this era: they embraced feminine fashion and determined the looks of the decade.

Key features of the decade:

Pencil and full circle skirts

Sack and Sheath dresses

Empire lines, especially empire line LBD’s

The American influence, wide belts, gloves, hats, nipped in waists.

1960’s

1960’s Biba

Twiggy!

Trends from the 60s are well known for their wide-reaching influence on fashion. A revolution was approaching and fashion was extremely important among young people. This generation had more power and more money, and Britain — in particular London — was where everyone wanted to be for the most experimental clothes and accessories. Hemlines shortened and prints became ever bolder, inspiration was taken from music and a change in lifestyle. The 60s also saw the revival of Art Deco, with the opening of the famous Biba store.

Key features of the decade:

Miniskirts, shift dresses

Space age and psychedelic looks

Graphic lines and cut outs

Materials included PVC, chainmail, sheer and transparent fabrics, chiffon, hosiery and synthetic materials

1970’s

Westwood 1970’s

The Sex Pistols 1975

1970’s colour blocking

Fashion in the 70s saw a wide variety of trends, from folk to disco to punk. The influence of disco was seen widely in fitted lycra clothing, flares and hotpants. For some, fashion became more natural, in line with a more ethical lifestyle. The hippy looks were reworked with a folksy feel. Hemlines fell and shapes and structures became more relaxed. Designers took inspiration from traditional crafts such as weaving, knitting and tapestry. Collaborations became more popular — designers such as Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell worked together. And the famous designer Vivienne Westwood lead the punk movement.

Key features of the decade:

Disco (flares, hotpants, wraparounds) and punk looks

Folk style included blouses, frills, maxi skirts, floral prints, knits, lacing, patchwork and waistcoats

Eastern influences (kaftans, kimonos, prints)

Jumpsuits and bodystockings

Prints included florals, geometrics and stripes

1980’s

Power Dressing

Adam Ant

Madonna

The New Romantics

Dynasty

Fashion in the 80s took great influence from political changes. Anger over the economic depression was reflected in street style. But by the second half of the decade things were beginning to look up, and this was shown in the clothing. Two themes emerged: power dressing became popular among women as they became more dominant in the workforce — pencil skirts and shoulder padded power blazers reigned for working women — and 80s sportswear was important, with brands like Nike leading the way, and bright colours, neon shades and shellsuits gaining popularity.

Key features of the decade:

Power dressing- shoulder pads, suits, bright colours and black and white dogstooth

Streetwear- graphics, tartan, stripes, denim and leather.

The new romantics

Sports and dancewear influences

Body con (lycra was the main influence