This website looks at the ways women's fashion has changed in Australia throughout the forty year between the 1960's and the 1990's, exploring the influences from other cultures, particularly America and Britain. It also explores the differences in styles, colours, patterns and hemlines.
Fun Facts
- Space travel had a huge influence on 1960's fashion. The use of "modern" materials such as plastics and shiny metallic fabrics dominated the high fashion scene for a while.
- Twiggy was the most popular fashion model of the 60's, she was known for her "pixie look", which included shift dresses, ballet flats, cigarette pants and an extremely cropped haircut.
- Tie-dyed shirts in the 60's allowed for personal expression and individuality in the wardrobe. Women wearing these brightly colored shirts were sure to be noticed in the crowd.
- Women's hippie accessories of the early 1970's included chokers, dog collars, handcrafted neck ornaments, and accessories made from natural elements like wood, shells, stones, feathers, Indian beads and leather. All of these replaced standard jewelry. Unisex hippie accessories included headbands, floppy hats, flowing scarves and earth shoes.
- In 1977, American actress Farrah Fawcett popularized the one-piece swimsuit which in turn launched the trend for the maillot. This was a sexy, tight swimsuit, with deep neckline and high-cut legs, worn by young women and girls in lieu of the bikini, although it did not entirely replace the latter.
- Minis and micro-minis first became popular in the mid-sixties and early seventies. The length saw a resurgence in the eighties with women taking to the trend like never before. The shorter the skirt, the better. Fabrics that were popular included leather, denim and lace, and were often worn with fishnet stockings to make a statement.
- Bright colored accessories like sunglasses, bangles and hoop earrings were a necessity in the 80's. Teased hair, loud makeup and neon were an important part of this style. This style was obviously more popular with the younger crowd.
- The 1990's was also known as the decade of "anti-fashion". It was characterized by minimalist styles and by many overlapping, often contradictory trends.
- Hoop earrings were popular with teenage girls and women in the first years of the 1990's.
- Hairstyles from the 1980's were replaced by long, straight hair with bangs. The bowl cut and the mullet became popular with teenage and pre-teen boys in 1991.
Bibliography
Australia.gov.au, (2014). changing-face-of-modern-australia-1950s-to-1970s. [online] Available at: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/changing-face-of-modern-australia-1950s-to-1970s
Jones, G. (2014). Fashion Of The 80S | The 80s Are Back - ended on 27 March 2011 - Powerhouse Museum. [online] Powerhousemuseum.com. Available at: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/the80sareback/category/remembering-the-80s/fashion-of-the-80s/
Retrowaste.com, (2014). RetroWaste: Vintage Fashion, Toys, Cars, Memorabilia and More!. [online] Available at: http://www.retrowaste.com/
Softschools.com, (2014). 1960's Fashion Timeline. [online] Available at: http://www.softschools.com/timelines/1960s_fashion_timeline/290/
wiliam, S. (2014). Australia's social and cultural history in the post-war period, History, Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia. [online] Skwirk.com. Available at: http://www.skwirk.com/p-u_s-14_u-189/australia's-social-and-cultural-history-in-the-post-war-period/nsw/history
Australia.gov.au, (2014). changing-face-of-modern-australia-1950s-to-1970s. [online] Available at: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/changing-face-of-modern-australia-1950s-to-1970s
Jones, G. (2014). Fashion Of The 80S | The 80s Are Back - ended on 27 March 2011 - Powerhouse Museum. [online] Powerhousemuseum.com. Available at: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/the80sareback/category/remembering-the-80s/fashion-of-the-80s/
Retrowaste.com, (2014). RetroWaste: Vintage Fashion, Toys, Cars, Memorabilia and More!. [online] Available at: http://www.retrowaste.com/
Softschools.com, (2014). 1960's Fashion Timeline. [online] Available at: http://www.softschools.com/timelines/1960s_fashion_timeline/290/
wiliam, S. (2014). Australia's social and cultural history in the post-war period, History, Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia. [online] Skwirk.com. Available at: http://www.skwirk.com/p-u_s-14_u-189/australia's-social-and-cultural-history-in-the-post-war-period/nsw/history
This website has been produced as part of a school assignment. The information contained within has not been authenticated or checked for accuracy.