How Fashion Mimics Culture
Walking into any apparel store it is clear inspiration for the spring has been drawn from the 1960s and 70s. Bright colors, knits, flare pants, mini skirts, and fun patterns. Is this just an example of the 20 year rule or could it be more? Through events such as the Civil-Rights movement, Sexual Liberation, and Hippies, we see fashion mimics society’s feelings towards current events.
The 1960s-70s was a period of questioning authority. The younger generation was mad about the vietnam war, a war they felt shouldnt be fought. Post war birthed a culture of rebellion and division. This led to a rejection of pre-war style. Breaking free from structured silhouettes and experimenting with new styles. Trickle up trends began. The younger generation questioned the influence people in authority should have over them after the cold war. They took the reins on culture, and fashion. Today we see this same effect. Our country in the past two elections has been more divided than ever. Throughout the pandemic our generation, on both sides, has adopted a lack of trust when it comes to the people above us. We are not going to simply listen to politics and what is happening around us, we want a part of it. We see this through social media. Just like what the 60s set off, trickle up fashion is set. Tik tok is the birthplace of trends and brands are expected to follow suit. COVID gave us the time to discover who we are and the confidence to dress like it. Goodbye to boring 2019 trends, we have entered into an era of experimentation.
Civil-Rights Movement
Before the Civil-rights movement European beauty standards dominated the fashion world. The phrase “black is beautiful” circulated and with the civil rights movement so did diversity in the apparel industry. African bright fabrics become more mainstream and influenced designers. Today, we are still fighting for diversity in the apparel industry. The recent black lives matter movement brought these concerns back to light. A fight for recognition of black designers continues. The bright colors we are seeing in recent trends are not a simple coincidence; they are the direct effect culture has on the way we dress. In the 60-70s white establishment was prim and proper. While many protesters chose to adhere to this, the “black panthers” did not desire to assimilate. Today we see that same rebellion. Designers have been using apparel to make political statements, confirming the power fashion has on culture (and vice versa).
Sexual Liberation
A period for freedom of love, fought with music and fashion in the 1960-70s. The youth rebelled against traditional style and tested society's view of women and “modesty”. As sex became accepted and celebrated women began to show more leg and midriff, beginning a love affair between sex and fashion. In 1965, the miniskirt arrived, liberating women and their legs. More controversial styles followed: gogo boots, see through fabrics, and loose crochet. These looks portrayed the freedom and independence women had been fighting for. Soon after the androgynous look took charge in the late 70s with the “punk look”. Ripped fishnets, leather, dress shirts, and blazers defined this era and challenged the look of society’s “ideal woman”. 70s rock similarly gave men the opportunity to experiment with what was previously viewed as femine. Bowie and other rock stars led this trend with “glam rock”. We see all these trends today not just in fashion but also culture. We are living through the fight for LGBTQ rights and questioning of gender. The line between feminine and masculine apparel is being erased. Men are in dresses and makeup and body hair is becoming acceptable on women. We again see the questioning of the older generation and what we were taught about gender and sexuality.
Hippies
Spirituality has taken our generation by storm but it is not a new practice. The 1960-70s was the era of hippies, woodstock, and spirituality. It is no wonder that our clothing is now mimicking our worldview and practices. We are seeing a reemersion of crochet pieces, flowy pants, and lots of jewelry with big rings. Our free thought patterns have led to freedom of style. We have turned against super structured silhouettes and embraced light fabrics with gypsy patterns. The hippies of the 60s were also ecologically conscious. They recycled old clothes and cut new garments out of them. Sound familiar? “Thrifting” has become a recent trend among Gen Z. What once was considered gross is now cool due to a shift in our world view. Our generation has become increasingly interested in sustainability within the fashion industry and wants our wardrobes to reflect that, as our ideology begins to align with that of the hippies so does our style.
It is so easy to look at a piece of clothing as a simple garment without recognising the social and historical significance of it. Wide leg pants aren’t just moving on from skinny jeans they are an ode to how our culture is reflecting that of the 70s. After researching the time period, it is clear that nothing in the fashion world currently is “revolutionary”, it has all been done before and it will all be done again. Our clothing is simply a mirror to the world around us. We are influenced by the emotional state of society and the current cultural happenings. And while we may see “new” trends come and go, just as history repeats itself, so does fashion.
