the 60s and 70s

Fashion in the 1960s and 1970s was quite similar, as people expressed themselves with vibrant colors and fun patterns. The sixties styles included elegant and graceful aspects, Inspired by Jackie O, such as hats, pearls, skirt suits, and white gloves for a put-together look. Other styles encompassed playful components like mini skirts, mini dresses, patent and PVC clothing. Also Hippie fashio like midi skirts, flowy dresses, kaftans, and beaded jewelry soared in popularity. In the seventies, synthetic fabrics made clothing more affordable, and was a continuation of hippie aesthetic in its preceding decade. Silk, loose patterns, knitwear, embroidery, and floral patterns were still trending. Then in the late 70s, women began to wear more masculine styles: women's suits became more boxy, and athletic wear started to become everyday-wear.

a brief historical context

Clothing choices were obviously influenced by the political events of the time. A lot happened in the 60s and 70s historically, such as the American Civil Rights Movement, JFK’s assassination, and the Vietnam War. There were a lot of protests for a variety of reasons during these times, and each group seemed to have dressed a little differently. Many people wore professional attire to the March on Washington: suits, hats, and nice hair styles reflected the equality and respect that they were fighting for. Similarly, anti-war protestors wore clothing that represented what they believed in, such as loose-fitting clothing to contrast form-fitting military uniforms. Despite the brightness found in 1960s and 1970s fashion, it was a dark time of protest, inequality, and war.