The swinging 60s are back

Valentina Zannoni More from this author See all team

Fashion designers the world over have been drawing inspiration from stylish decades gone by. For F/W11 it’s the turn of the swinging 60s.

The 60s was an eventful decade, characterised by revolutions, wars, diplomatic crisis and political unrest. But from a sociological viewpoint, it was an era of liberation and innovation. The arts were influenced by the social unrest and that includes, of course, fashion. The fervour amongst the younger generation was palpable, and much in the same way as in the 50s, fashion became a way for the major players to express themselves. The successes of Mary Quant’s mini skirt, Andre Courreges’ space look and YSL’s Mondrain dress were symptomatic of the changing attitudes and are as much of relevance today as when they were first introduced.

Lets take a look at how contemporary taste makers have reinterpreted the 60s look for the 21^st Century:

The dress ruled the 60s. Shorter minis, dropped waists or a-line were all the rage. In 2011 the rules are pretty much the same- wear minimalist silhouettes in varying lengths. For the evening choose embellished dresses with simple shapes made glamorous by sequins or even feathers.

The colours are bright: oranges, fuchsias,purples and yellows channel that groovy 60s feel. Prints are geometric, grid-like patterns.

Minimal detailing, crisp lines and weightless, rounded yet sculptural silhouettes are the crux of the 60s reference in this season’s collections. Techno-bonded fabrics and bold prints and colours hone in on the trend.

To really embrace the 60s revival, invest in a tunic. Wear it over trousers or skirts in typical constructivist palette for colour blocking, or to elongate the body when choosing longer hemlines.

The sweater dress, revisited 60s style, continues to be a strong item for F/W11. With many styles available, from the gamine fit silhouette or the cosy poncho style dress, there is a knit for any occasion. Added texture is given to this season’s knits with mohair yarns or crochet.

This season’s tailoring is where the 60s inspiration really comes into its own. Adopt a graphic look with a short hemline for timeless 60s chic. Add prints and bold colours, or embellishments and sequins to lift the geometric silhouette.