60s Style Icons

If you think while you take a walk down Chapel St in Melbourne or Oxford St in Sydney that  a lot of what’s inside the stores resembles fashion from the 60s, then you’re 100% correct! That’s because the 60s bought a whole new revolution in fashion – in particular female fashion. Baby-doll dresses were a hit! Halter dresses and even sack dresses were in vogue. And, of course, who could forget those sun dresses? I’ve noticed that many summer dresses I’ve seen in the stores resemble those of the 60s. (Handy hint: don’t through any of your dresses away!)

If you thought Paris Hilton began the oversized sunglasses craze, then you’d be wrong because that trend started way back in the 60s as well! So did wide belts, bandanas and peasant skirts. The mini was HUGE in the 60s and doesn’t seem to have lost its original sex appeal. Cardigans were also seen on women as well as hip-hugging jeans and hot pants.

Ladies of the 60s wanted their makeup to standout so colourful eye shadows were the norm. Mascara, mascara, mascara! Women of the 60s loved to extend their lashes with lots of mascara and  their lips were light and glossy. Trendy hairstyles were either bobs or long, lustrous locks.

Women of the 60s made an impact on the fashion world and are still fondly remembered for their dynamic fashion ways.

(TIP: click on the girls names for an image of them)

Twiggy
Twiggy – the  slender English beauty with  the world’s first supermodel. Leslie Hornby – aka ‘Twiggy’ burst onto the world during the 60s and is still, to this day regarded as one of the mot stylish women around.  Twiggy made the boyish bob ultra-cool in the 60s and her hair then became her trademark. Her slim figure and tomboy looks made her appeal to the 60s idea of youthfulness, freedom and nonchalance. Throughout her career she appeared on the covers of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar even had her own Barbie , fashion tote bag and false eyelashes! Twiggy truly was a 60s style icon! Twiggy was ‘ The Face of 66’ as voted by The Daily Express and even became a successful actress as her career progressed. More recently, Twiggy had a spot on Tyra Banks’s reality TV show – America’s Top Model – as a guest judge.

Jane Fonda
If you saw Monster-in-Law and thought Jane Fonda looked incredible in her 70s, imagine what she was like in her earlier years! This screen siren has been flaunting her stuff  since the 60s and doesn’t seem to be loosing her sex appeal. She’s appeared on covers of many magazines, including Cover Girl however, her most famous role came in the mid 60s as vixen Barbarella.  Thanks to this role, Knee high boot were a massive hit!

Jackie Onassis
Jacqueline Onassis is not only remembered for being JFK’s widow, but also for being a style icon of her era. In fact, it was in fashion that she truly became dissociated from being the First Lady.  She was always seen in timeless, elegant outfits that included   white gloves, simple coats and round or bateau necklines. She also wore pillbox hats that became her most famous trademark.

Jean Shrimpton
Former British supermodel Jean Shrimpton was no stranger to controversy, in fact, the once model caused an uproar when she was in Melbourne, Australia for Derby Day in 1965. The reason for all the scandal? Ms Shrimpton made a fashion faux pas (at the time – today what she wore would be accepted as trendy) by attending the event in a white mini- dress 4 inches above the knee! Melbourne’s press and fashion experts were furious with Jean’s disregard for all things proper, not to mention she wasn’t wearing a hat, gloves or stockings – a must for any women attending Derby Day. Nevertheless, Jean did make ripples in the fashion world – especially Australia where she became an iconic image of 60s fashion.

The 60s were revolutionary, exciting and the world  saw change a-coming! With women like Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Jane Fonda and Jackie O, designers being bold with colour, the 60s will be remembered as a happy time in fashion. And for any other happy times in fashion’s timeline, don’t forget to AskBronny!