WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE CLOTHING ERAS OF THE 1920’s – 1960’s ?…

What’s your favourite clothing eras of the 1920’s – 1960’s?

Coco Chanel designed her little black dress in 1926, which was known as the model ‘T’, like Henry Fords car. She was the most important fashion person of that decade.

The 1920’s had the dropped waist lines, lace up ankle boots, narrow pleated skirts and coloured opaque stockings. Calf length hem lines with long ropes of pearls or glass beads and sequinned dresses and headbands were a must. The famous flapper look, which was a fully sequinned evening dress was born.

The 1930’s showed calf length hemlines, a line skirts, and Peter Pan collars were very fashionable. Lace up ankle shoes and full length evening gowns were worn with art deco jewellery. It was all very sleek and chic looking.

The designers at the top in the 1930’s were Coco Chanel and the Vionett’s. Lacoste also showed up in 1933 when Fred Perry shot to fame after his wins at Wimbledon.

The 1940’s was when the war had broken out so fashion wasn’t at the top of the list. This was the era of ‘make do and mend it’, which has become popular at the moment.

Tweed was popular, as were head scarves, plastic chunky jewellery, peplems, seamed stockings or pencils to draw a seam down your bare legs. Housecoats, aprons and pinnies were very popular to help keep your clothes clean and tidy. Crepe dresses and swing trousers with shoe wedges, just like we have at the moment.

Sequins were banned under the Utility Scheme & Civilian Clothing Order but trousers became fashionable for women.

In the 1950’s ‘anything goes’ was the order of the day with doo-wop, bebop, jazz, blues and Rock and Roll music being very popular. Think Marilyn Monroe curves and Sophie Loren cleavage.

Lots of outfits for ladies with hourglass figures and tiny waists, with rounded hips and a pencil or full skirt being in fashion. It was also the introduction of beaded cardigans , novelty prints and jewellery, floral patterns and circle skirts with short socks.

James Dean and the Teddy Girls brought denim into fashion. It was also the time of the stiletto heel which got high just like now, and Capri pants were also very popular. Hemlines were just below the knee and all shapes were catered for.

The 1960’s was the era of the Beatles and hemlines rose and rose to the very popular and still fashionable ‘mini skirt’. Other examples of this era were bib fronts, tights instead of stockings, vinyl accessories, boots and lots of chunky jewellery.

Think Mary Quant, Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Marianne Faithfull. Bibi was launched in 1963 bringing fashion to the masses by introducing cheap clothing mail order. King’s Road Boutiques were opening with Carnaby Street in London all the rage.

Just about anything could be worn in the 1960’s with the Mods and Rockers popping up and a lot of influence from new and upcoming pop stars like The Who, The Kinks etc.

I think my favourite era from the above would have to be the 1960’s as I remember it sooooo well, but I adore the vintage styles of the 1920’s and would love to wear some of the styles that were around then.