Get the Look - Blast from the Past

Get the Look - “Blast from the Past”

Ever had the urge to “rock” a retro-inspired look, but didn’t quite know how to successfully do it without looking like you were headed to your neighborhood costume party?  Don’t worry, I've got you covered!  We want to help you incorporate things that you can readily find to create retro looks inspired specifically by the 1950s and 1960s. 

 The 1950s were considered to be very conservative and restrained.  The early 1960s mirrored the ‘50s, but the mid to late ‘60s brought about a major change to women’s fashion.  The 1950s gave us items like; the A-line dress, the knitted sweater dress, boxy suit jackets, and slims skirts.  The pleated skirt, straight skirts with front and back inverted pleats, belted dresses, and pencil skirts worn with sweaters became more popular in the ‘60s.  Many designers helped to shape women’s wear in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  Fashion in the ‘50s were greatly impacted by designers like Christian Dior and Chanel.  Women’s fashion in the ‘60s were influenced by designers like John Bates and Mary Quant.

 

Many things in your wardrobe already scream, “Retro,” and you probably don’t even know it.  For instance, you probably didn’t know that the fitted sweater and trouser look was made popular in the 1950s.  You also probably weren’t aware that tapered slacks and long shorts, both of which that have become very popular over the last couple of years were too a staple of the 50s.  And let us not forget polo neck sweaters, baby doll dresses, knitted sweater dresses, pencil skirts, pleated skirts, tights/panty hose, textured stockings, and mini dresses/skirts that were all popular women’s wear in the 1960s.

 

Let us not forget about the color and print trends that have been cycled and recycled into our current-day wear.  The 1950s were colored with hues of bright jewel tones such as; canary diamond yellow, emerald green, and sapphire blue, along with black, grey and white.  Many of these colors have been sighted as some of the color trends of the Fall/Winter 2014 season.  Major prints in the ‘50s included paisley, plaid, and stripes were popular amongst blazer designs.  Purples and Reds trended heavily in women’s wear in the 1960s.  Crimson, cranberry, and lilac are all women’s wear color trends for the Fall/Winter 2014 season.  Checks of black and white, such as hound’s-tooth were very popular in the ‘60s.  Hounds-tooth is a very popular print, even today; especially in outerwear designs. 

 And let’s not forget about those fabulous style icons of the ‘50s and ‘60s.  Perhaps, some of the most influential fashion icons of the 1950s were Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor.  Icons of the ‘60s included Jacqueline Kennedy, Jean Shrimpton, Audrey Hepburn, Cher, Brigitte Bardot, and Twiggy.  Helen Williams was a major fashion icon amongst the African American community.  Many of these icons still appear on current-day garments, especially graphic tees.

Fashion trends have a tendency to cycle and recycle.  Designers have become very skilled at refreshing retro looks and making them relative to current times.  We have put together three looks below to assist you in incorporating style influences from the ‘50s and ‘60s into your wardrobe.

“Blast from the Past in Black & White”

Coat $39 blackfive.com | Bag $51 etsy.com | Earrings $38 pipelime.gap.com | Sweater $50 mango.com | Shorts $52 forevernew.com.au| Socks $35 lanecrawford.com | Sunglasses $38 freepeople.com | Hat $51 urbanexcess.com | Shoes $34 nastygal.com

Black and White.  This look may be black and white, but nothing about it lacks personality.  This look is for the lover of black, white, and neutral colors.  This style mirrors sophistication and class.

“Blast from the Past in Jewel Tones”

Fedora Hat $135 lespommettes.com | Gloves $42 ralphlauren.com | Shoes $46 nastygal.com | Coat $29 newlook.com | Dress $80 modcloth.com| Sunglasses $7 amazon.com | Earrings $20 shopbop.com | Bag $27 etsy.com | Belt $36 charleskeith.com

 

Jewel Tones.  This look is inspired by the jewel-toned hues of the ‘50s and ‘60s.   This look is still very sophisticated, but the color adds a bit of excitement to the mix.  This is a fun look that can be worn both day and night!

 

“Blast from the Past in Mod”

 

Dress $24 yessstyle.com | Trousers $40 johnlewis.com | Sunglasses $9 amazon.com | Shoes $50 heels.com | Watch $80 buckle.com | Earrings $35 amazon.com | Bag $18 theiconic.com.au

Mod.  This look is inspired by the “Mod Craze” of the ‘60s.  Women were breaking out of their conservative ways, and being more open to expressing themselves in the way they dressed!  This is for the more daring girl!  Have fun with your wardrobe!  Don’t be afraid to explore different patterns and colors.