The 1960s: From Homemaker to Hippie Chic

By Paige McKirahan

 

The 1960s was a truly transitional decade filled with experimentation and defiance. In the earlier years, it was very reminiscent of the conservative styles popularized in the ‘50s, but the late ‘60s were the complete and utter opposite. This contrast makes you wonder if the extreme traditional values of the previous decade created this opposition where women showed more skin and were more flamboyant than ever. The world’s fashion leaders were shifted as the overwhelming British Invasion had to do with more than just The Beatles and Twiggy. The London look trumped Parisian couture and modern, youthful styles took hold of the public as new fashion icon’s bold aesthetics shook the industry to its core. 

 

 

In the beginning of the decade, Jackie Kennedy was the “it” girl of fashion; her style as simple, clean, well-tailored, and perfectly cohesive. She wore collarless dresses with one large top button, accessorizing with pillbox hats, sensible heels, and Chanel bags that were widely popularized in the ‘50s. Her global influence came to a screeching halt after the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, and she was removed from the public eye.

 

 

Women now had to discover a new fashion inspiration and found it in pop culture icons Brigitte Bardot and Mary Quant. Quant's style moved away from stiff, “adult” fashions and leaned towards youthful, short silhouettes with bold prints and accessories. Bardot, on the other hand, was very different than both Kennedy and Quant; her “tacky” and bold style was unlike any others that we had seen before and she was so influential that her pink gingham wedding dress with lace trim started a movement all on its own. We can also thank Brigette for popularizing the off the shoulder look, affectionately known as the Bardot neckline, that has come back into circulation in the past few years.

 

 

Brigette Bardot sporting her namesake neckline

(image credit pinterest.com)

 

As the decade zoomed forward, experimentation was brought to the forefront with mod style. Designers began revolting against traditional, waist cinching styles from the ‘50s and used the youth rebellion spreading from England to garner massive profits. The mod look boasted miniskirts, colored tights, low heels, mannish jackets, and ties. Shift dresses became trendy and their hem lengths were directly related to how women felt about their own sexual liberation, giving them a power over their own sexuality that was previously unheard of.

 

 

One of fashion’s most iconic faces, a icon known to the public as Twiggy, commonly modeled this style and had women stepping into freeing clothing that allowed personal expression. Colors and prints were inspired greatly by the pop and modern art movements, with bright hues, stripes, and Campbell’s soup cans adorning everything from dresses to bags.

 

 

Supermodel Twiggy in a mod shift dress

 (photo credits to pintrest.com)

 

This rebellion also is responsible for the birth of the hippie movement, which was a political anti-fashion statement that was so popular it became a mainstream trend. The late ‘60s saw an earthier hippie style than the 1970s and the more colors, the better. Extremism was a huge part of this form and it affected everything from accessory choice to silhouettes. Hats were oversized, vests were knee length, and coats drug the floor. Folk motifs were front and center, influencing clothing and jewelry alike with ethnic motifs. There were no rules with this type of fashion; you marched to the beat of your own drum with no regard for outside judgement.

 

 

The jewelry of this decade still loved the longstanding costume style, but designs became bolder and increasingly more expressive. Many jewelry producers began experimenting with lower cost materials, rejecting the idea that jewelry represented status. Textured gold was still popular, yes, but plastics like vinyl, resin, and Perspex could be produced in mass quantities for a very low cost. The Pop Art movement that was influencing fashion made its way into accessories, with large geometric shapes complimenting the simple shift dress silhouette.

 

Floral motifs that have been used in jewelry for decades’ prior were revived in a big way as the birth of the Hippie movement and Flower Power trend paired with the new plastics of the time allowed the designs to become bold and colorful. Long, dangling earrings also came into fashion as shorter hairstyles were in and clip earrings were out. Large bangles and statement rings were ‘60s staples and were easy options to update outfits that need a little bit more va-va-voom. Lea Stein was one of the most popular designers of the time; after she started her company in 1957, she began manufacturing buttons for apparel. She then made her way into jewelry and used layers of colored cellulose acetate to create her trademark character pieces.

 

 

Though this decade seems to have dipped its toes in multitude of differing trends, the ‘60s made its mark in the fashion industry and changed style forever. People no longer felt the need to conform to society’s idea of stylish and instead started dressing in a way that expressed their personalities and taste. I think everyone should be a little rebellious in fashion because without rebellion, how do will we stand out? To start a fashion rebellion of your own, head over to our '60s collection to find pieces that express who YOU are!

The Resurgence of Opulence and Femininity in the 1950s

By Paige McKirahan

 

As society was finally on the road to recovery in post World War II and Great Depression America, fashion began to reflect this return to the norm as it exploded into new directions and silhouettes. In 1947, Christian Dior created ‘The New Look’ collection, which the first from the couture house and his first as a designer. The goal of the line was to revive France’s international fame in the fashion industry and it was wildly successful; Dior’s excess use of fabric and extremely womanly forms were a refreshing change from the rationed simplicity we became so familiar with in the 1940s.

He was extremely fond of the feminine motifs used in the ‘30s and they were easy to bring back into circulation as women were greatly encouraged to fulfill their roles as beautiful, well-dressed homemakers. Influenced by Victorian era silhouettes, skirts became full and busts were padded to create tiny waists in shorter, sexier styles. Despite the fact that this collection was released in the late ‘40s, it became a huge inspiration for ‘50s fashion and set the tone for the decade’s biggest trends.

 

 

Dior’s ‘New Look’

(photo credit to harpersbazaar.com)

 

Fundamentally, the 1950s were a time of conformity and modesty. Women’s appearances were directly correlated to their husband’s success, causing them to spend more time shopping and updating their closets with the latest fashions in order to appear affluent. There were two main dress types popularized in this era: the swing dress and the pencil dress. The swing dress featured a full skirt and the pencil was a form fitting sheath style. Both had cinched waists are were shin length, but the sheath style was impractical to wear around the house as it didn't allow for much movement. Housedresses were full- skirted and simple in cotton, with shorter sleeves and collars. If a woman had errands to run, she could wear her housedress out and spice it up with matching accessories and a pair of heels rather than flats. Evening and cocktail dresses were glamorous and made of rich fabrics including silk, satin, lace, velvet, and chiffon.

 

 

 1950s day dresses

(image credit to vintagedancer.com) 

 

Skirts were full and commonly made of one large round piece of fabric, dubbing them 'circle skirts'. Fluffy petticoats were worn beneath them to add volume and some were pleated at the waist to give an added fullness. Pockets were common and were either hidden on the sides or adorned on the front as an added statement piece. Poodle skirts are quite possibly one of the most iconic styles to come out of this period, though they were not popular as we assume them to have been.

Jewelry in the ‘50s was clean, colorful, and ornate; as spending power increased in this decade, costume jewelry flourished and gave women the opportunity to coordinate their outfits with accessories effortlessly. Some novelty designs and patriotic motifs were still popular, but they were eventually replaced by classic shapes and colors that were easier to pair with clothing. Expanding on this desire for cohesiveness, many women wore matching sets of jewelry, which were commonly referred to as parures. At the beginning of the decade when pierced ears were not socially acceptable, ear clips reigned and were gem-laden and oversized.

 

Pearls enjoyed a huge boom in popularity as their chicness paired beautifully with the feminine styles of the time. Yellow- toned and rose gold was the favored choice, along with the synthetic plastic Lucite. Lucite played a huge role in jewelry innovations of the period and prompted the creation of the jelly bean pin; this style of pin was quite small and Lucite was crafted into tiny cabochon balls to form the belly part of the animal design. Trifari and Coro were both huge names in the jewelry industry as they produced the increasingly popular costume jewelry and were the largest manufacturers in the American market.

 

 

Clip on earring featuring pearl and gold accents

(photo credits to vintagedancer.com)

 

Small hats were worn by mature women in this time period, typically made of felt and adorned with flowers, feathers, or bows. Pill box hats, berets, plate hats, and the cloche popularized by Audrey Hepburn were all prominent styles and were created to sit delicately on the head as to not compress the hair. Hair flowers were a famous alternative to hats and were integral to the pin-up look. Scarves tied around the entire head or worn as a headband also accompanied the Rockabilly aesthetic and emphasized the hair flip style. One barely left the house without a pair of gloves, and matching them to hats and purses was a popular practice. Purses tended to be smaller and hobo styles were iconic, along with novelty bags made of unusual materials.

 

 

After two decades of rationing and longstanding economic turmoil, the 1950s was a period of overwhelming optimism and change. Dior completely altered the fashion world with his debut collection and pushed the trends of the era towards femininity and opulence. We see accentuated waists come back into style and the rise of more traditional values prevail, which greatly influenced industry trends. If this has inspired you to emulate this iconic era’s style, head over to our collection to check out some vintage pieces that are sure to give you that ‘50s feel!

Most Iconic Designer Bags of All Time

Happy Handbag Flash Sale Week!

 

In celebration of our upcoming flash sale, we figured it was only appropriate to explore what handbags are considered to be the most popular in the history of the accessory. The idea of investing in luxury handbags is a new one, but many of these designs have survived for decades and are still celebrating their icon status (hello, quilted Chanel bag!). After scouring Google’s variety of articles arguing what handbag is more coveted than the next, we have decided to compile a list of what we feel are the top nine most popular bags in no particular order. The stories of some may surprise you so read on to see if you own an iconic piece in fashion history!

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag

 

The Speedy 30cm, which is the first bag released from the fashion house, was designed in 1930 and was a favorite of Audrey Hepburn! At the request of the Tiffany’s star herself, the brand created a 25cm style that shot the Speedy to icon status. They now come in a variety of sizes ranging from duffle bag to near change purse!

Chanel 2.55

 

This bag, created in February of 1955 (inspiring the 2.55 name), was designed by Coco Chanel because she grew tired of carrying her handbags as either a clutch or with hand straps. Her solution? The incorporation of the shoulder strap! This bag comes in a variety of colors and patterns but the most recognizable style is quilted in either black or white.

 

 

Hermes Birkin

 

One of the most expensive and coveted pieces on this list, the Hermes Birkin can range from the low thousands to six figures in price depending on the year and style of the piece. Jane Birkin, an English actress, and Jean-Lous Dumas, Hermes chief executive, met by chance on a flight and as Dumas watched Birkin struggle with her carry on, he began thinking about the design of handbags. He used her as an inspiration and aid in creating a new, functional bag that would easily carry all of one’s belongings and voila! The Birkin was born!

Hermes Kelly

 

Another one of the Hermes brand’s fan favorites is the Kelly. Formerly known as the Sac à dépêches, this bag was popularized by none other than Princess Grace Kelly herself. Created in the 1930s, the Kelly was a favorite of Graces and it became an iconic symbol of status after a photo of the Princess using the bag to cover her pregnant belly flooded the media in the 50s. The bag was renamed after the film star and has been sought after since.

Celine Luggage Tote

 

A younger design compared to the aforementioned pieces, Celine released the Luggage tote in the early 2000s. It only became iconic after the fashion forward Olsen twins were seen sporting one; they then became one of the most popular bags in history, selling out before they even reached stores. If you interested in one of these bags, you better head to the website and get on a waitlist as many designs are not even sold in Celine stores!

Balenciaga City

 

The Balenciaga City bag is also a newer design, but that doesn’t mean it’s not eligible to be an icon. After its conception, the bag did not get approved past the prototype stage as it was deemed “too soft”. When the bag was requested for a runway show in 2001, it became one of Kate Moss’s favorites and sold out in seconds when it officially hit the market.

 

 

Chloe Paddington

 

In 2002, the French brand Chloe released the Paddington bag during the perfect era: the rise of ecommerce and social networking. The bag was quickly snatched up by the biggest “it” girls of the time, creating a global sensation. It was reported by Vogue that when it was introduced, the Paddington was ordered so far in advance that it sold out of the 8,000 bags in inventory before it even hit stores!

 

 

Fendi Baguette

 

The Fendi Baguette bag created in 1997 is considered by some experts to be one of the first official “it” bags of our time as it was a favorite of fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Though it is smaller than the others on this list, it packs a big punch as it is commonly adorned with a variety of prints and textures in addition to the Fendi logo clasp.

 

 

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

 

Another LV favorite, the Neverfull was created in 2007 as a carry-all tote that comes in three sizes. On top of being able to hold all of your belongings and more, it is one of the most durable bags on the luxury market; to test this, Louis Vuitton fills them with 3.5 kgs of weight, then drops them half a meter! This sturdiness can be attributed to the craftsmanship that goes into creating the Neverfull. Did you know they can take up to 45 hours to make?

Did you see anything familiar? We would sure think so! Now that you have handbags on the mind, be sure to make your calendars for this Saturday, so you can pick up some of your own pieces at our flash sale! 

 

This Saturday Sep 1st 12-6PM EST. Use Code: Sep1 for 30% OFF selected bags

Fashion Designer, Betsey Johnson uses her passion and love of art, fashion, and design to creative an incredibly successful career.

Ok... this post will be one of those "in-progress" posting. There is so much to cover here and I will edit as I find the right combination of time and inspiration... Meanwhile I don't want to hold back on what I got.. Let's get started!

Louis Aragon said: "She had no more money, and a terrible desire for a handbag" Ha! That sums up a lot of women out there. What an addiction we have for bags!

Personally I don't really carry them for daily errands (I know I act like a boy with a wallet in my back jean pocket many times), but... I love collecting them... All kinds and styles!

Handbags have been related to social status from the get-go back in the late nineteenth century. The ladies who gained more social mobility, spent more time on the city streets without male escorts which resulted on handbags becoming more substantial.

Some interesting points I found:

• Pouches were the precursor of the bag and hung from a girdle at the waist. The size of the purse indicated wealth. A tiny purse suggested others were employed to do more onerous carrying.
• Reticules were used to carry the few objects a wealthy woman needed to function outside the home: cartes de visite, a fan for flirting, cosmetics, and perfume.
• The 20s flapper was a new modern woman, a fashion consumer par excellence, who was willing to buy an array of handbags in bright modernist designs and new materials.
• The 50s chic and understated elegance changed the look of handbags. Fashionable women craved discreet styles in luxurious crocodile, kid, or snakeskin.
• Coco Chanel's black quilted-leather bag with gilt-chain handle in 1955 and Gucci's bamboo-handled bag in 1957 started the "griff" with celebrity endorsement times.
• Grace Kelly was one of the first stars to have a bag named after her: The Hermès Kelly of 1956.
• Whimsical bags already existed back in 1825. Look this "ice dessert in a dish" bag