Retro fashion includes all those clothes, accessories and jewelry styles that were popular among the women in the past few decades. Although, the word retro conjures up images of women in bell bottoms, wearing large sunglasses, holding a leather bag with over the top makeup, yet, this style is much more than that. Let's check out the different retro clothing styles for women, right through 1950s' to 1980s'.
1950s'
1950s' style of dressing is all about being flamboyant and impulsive. High heels, lacy gloves, voluminous poodle skirts, silken wrap dresses, small floral prints - all these are the hallmarks of the 1950s' fashion for girls. A huge hit among women in this era were the chic pencil skirts. They were shapely, sexy, feminine and at the same time demure, with the hemline falling below the knees. Women in this era always wore corsets beneath their dresses to look more shapely.
Most of 1950s' clothing was made in fabrics like satin, silk, organza and tulle. Pearl jewelry, decorative brooches and woven clutches were the order of the day. As far as makeup goes, a fresh look with red lips and dramatic smoky eyes, ruled the roost!
1960s'
"Flaunt what you got" that was the mantra for 1960s' retro clothes. Be it Audrey Hepburn's skinny jeans or Mary Quant's mini skirts or the two piece swimsuits, 60s' fashion clothing was all about revolution and rebellion, perhaps influenced greatly by the path breaking hippie movement.
Bell bottoms, long skirts with floral prints and polka dots - all these became very popular as 60s' clothes. Women began supporting headbands and head scarves to assert their individuality. Clothing became innovative and creative with materials like plastic and metal being used to create dresses. Shimmer and glitter were introduced in clothing as well as makeup. With beehive hairdos and kitten heel shoes, 1960s' indeed was a fashion trend setter as far as women's clothing is concerned!
1970s'
The 70s' clothing was all about wearing something which suits one's personality rather than following some trend. There was "comfort clothing" such as the free-flowing muumuu style, loose granny dresses which came with high necks and long sleeves as well as hippie styled clothes like gypsy skirts, kaftans and kimonos. Those who liked to dress sexy, there were hot pants teamed with lycra tops. Empire waist dresses with elaborate sleeves, mini skirts, midi, full length maxis, wrap around skirts - women had a lot of clothing ideas to choose from in the 1970s'.
The 1970s' also marked the advent of a bold look, with the bikini becoming ever so small! High waist banana jeans which came with a buckle on the back, capris, Elvis Presley styled bell bottoms, fabrics sewed with beads and sequins, leopard patterns - all became extremely popular as fashion clothing!
1980s'
The 1980s' fashion clothing was greatly influenced by the celebrity way of dressing. Flashy, attention seeking, in your face, are some of the words with which one can describe the fashion of this era. Tattoos, piercings, wearing shades at night as well as large hoop earrings as fashion jewelry - women would do anything to gain attention.
Stonewashed jeans teamed with studded jackets and fingerless gloves became very popular with both men as well as women. Mini skirts and leather jackets were extremely common too. As far as footwear goes, see through flats and red high-heeled stilettos, were very popular. Makeup was flashy with special emphasis on heavy eye makeup. Metallic clutch bags were a must-have during the 1980s'.
As you can see, there is no single look that can define retro fashion. Each decade brought with it, its own share of innovations and creativity, which the fashionable women of that era embraced with immense confidence!
