God is a Woman

God is a Woman

            Over decades, we have seen many styles come and go. The cycles of skinny jeans, fur coats and crop tops have made its reappearance in the fashion industry many times. If you ask someone from an older generation, they will tell you that they have seen many styles thrive and disappear, some more successful than others, and some that no one ever wants to see again. However, in recent times, we have seen a huge comeback with styles from the mid- to late-1960’s which was not only an important era in politics, war and the economy, but it was a drastic strive for women’s rights.

            The 1960’s were a time of civil rights and women’s movement, where women were fighting for equal rights, putting a stop to sexual harassment and promoting women in the workplace. Simultaneously, the fashion industry was dramatically changing from skirts to pants; long pencil skirts to mini-skirts; and block colours to extravagant patterns. The 1960’s was a time for women to feel empowered and to dominate the fashion industry. Celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Olivia Newton-John and Julie Andrews shaped the way for fashion by introducing these daring styles, which encouraged independence for women.

            Certain styles were introduced and conquered in this era. In 1964, the mini-skirt was introduced by French designer André Courrèges. Olivia Newton-John was the mini-skirt heart throb, leading the fashion industry with this look. It was seen in many patterns, such as floral and checked; to various fabrics such as corduroy, wool and rayon. In the 1990s, the mini-skirt had made a second come back, with the focus on the plaid school-girl mini-skirt, as seen in this iconic photo of Jennifer Anniston’s, Rachel Green from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. As we have seen for the F/W 2018 fashion styles, mini-skirts have made their successful come back and are sold by several retailers like Wilfred, Forever21 and Urban Outfitters. This style is often paired with the plaid turtle neck to put emphasis on the style of the skirt and to create depth within the look.

            Before the 1960’s, it was nearly impossible to see a woman wearing pants. Around the same era of the mini-skirt, pants made a debut as the everyday pant for women to wear. As seen regularly by Audrey Hepburn, the Jax Pant was a popular style which was designed with a high-waist, straight leg cut and sat just above the ankle. This style was designed to put emphasis on the tiny waist trend and to be paired with a crop top. As this style went away for a few decades, it has made a comeback in recent times. These styles are being seen at Aritzia, Uniqlo and Zara. Along with the famous trousers comeback, the bell-bottoms are being brought back as the new everyday pant. The bell-bottoms style has been an iconic style and best-known for its Hippie look of the extension of the leg. Similar to the mini-skirt, this style is being seen at many retailers and comes in a variety of fabrics, colours and patterns.

In recent years, brands like Aritzia have promoted high fashion at a respectable level. The brand expresses this new freedom of the reinvented and independent woman. Retailers understand their audience have lives and careers so they lively up the traditional work day with bright colours, different fabrics, and old styles such as slimming the turtle neck, or taking away the traditional school girl uniform look on mini-skirts. Professionalism in society is required so brands adhered to that construct and made clothes comfier as well as respectable to fit this 60’s style resurgence in a new way.

            For the upcoming new year, these styles are bound to stick around and carry you into spring/summer 2019 with glam and confidence. Designed to be effortlessly feminine, these looks can be worn to the office or a night out with the girls. Make 2019 about you and embracing the woman you have become today. Be daring, confident and strong, because this year is all about, YOU!