|| 1960s Fashion ||

The 1960's were a time where fashion was really starting to change and become something much more exciting and interesting. It was a decade that broke many fashion traditions, mirroring social movements during the period. The 1960's was a decade for rebellion, peace making and of course, the famous 'hippy movement.' The 'hippy movement' late in the decade also had a strong influence on women's style, including bell-bottom & flared jeans, the iconic Mary Quant mini-skirt, tie-dye, and batik fabrics, as well as the famous paisley prints. During the sixties, accessories became less important and not as popular due to people focusing more on colours and tones. They were dressing in psychedelic prints, bright and vibrant colours, and mismatched patterns.

The 1960's were a time for fun and the world needed a brighter and more uplifted makeover after the war. And that's just what the sixties had. All their clothes oozed with colour, vibrancy and pattern. They matched, or they clashed. They were revealing or try weren't. But overall the sixties seemed to be a decade that fashion had been given a face lift and people were swung into new an exciting things.

Women were inspired by the top models of the day which included Twiggy, Colleen Corby and Penelope Tree. Corsets, seamed tights, and skirts covering the knees had been abolished. The idea of buying urbanised clothing, which could be worn with separate pieces, was intriguing to women of the era in comparison to previously only buying specific outfits for specific occasions.

In 1964, bell-bottomed trousers were a total fashion craze. They were usually worn with chiffon blouses, polo-necked ribbed jumpers or tops that bared the midriff.

Pixie Haircut on Audrey Hepburn in the 1960's
and on Emma Watson in 2011.

Another style that's come back into fashion. The 1960's is one of those styles that never goes out of style. It keeps coming back, whether it's just for one designers fashion show or one that sweeps the nation and it's found from your most favoured designers to your most trusted high street stores. Jennifer Lopez is never one to shy away from a sexy outfit, particularly here as she mimics the 60's style mixed with a more current animal print and matching thigh-high boots. This mimics the how the 1960's were with fashion, they were becoming more revealing and provocative with what they were wearing.

fanpop.com

wikipedia.org

|| Costume Jewellery ||

There is something quite quintessentially chic and beautiful about costume jewellery. They have a slight excitement and joy about them, whether they have history with them or an heirloom, or just a beautiful piece of jewellery. I have a bit of a personal obsession with them and both my grandmothers enjoy very muchly going through their bags of old jewellery with me. I spend hours looking at them, and learning the stories behind some of them. And now that I'm older, and have a bit more appreciation for such things, I have been allowed certain items.

Costume jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap, disposable accessory meant to be worn with a specific outfit. It was intended to be fashionable for a short period of time, outdate itself, and then be repurchased to fit with a new outfit or new fashion style. Its main use is in fashion, as opposed to "real" (fine) jewelry which may be regarded primarily as collectibles, keepsakes, or investments. Costume jewelry is made of less valuable materials including base metals, glass, plastic, and synthetic stones; in place of more valuable materials such as precious metals and gems.

I am a lover of vintage fashion, as are many others, and scouring the high street stores I never really find myself completely satisfied, and I don't end up buying anything unless from a charity shop or a vintage shop. For those who turn your noses up at the thought of second hand clothes - you are wrong. You will never know the joys of second hand shopping until you try it. I personally love it a great deal, and you can find the most amazing deals/bargains and sometimes you may find some sort of designer item which would've originally been out I your price range but is now only £2.50 it seems silly to miss out!

But back to costume jewellery, if you know where to go for it, you can get amazing deals. The local vintage shop near me has the most amazing beauties and treasures and I can literally spend hours in there. You can also find some in charity shops, however the best place to get authentic costume jewellery is from your family. They may have a story behind them, or they might just be more exciting to know that your grandmother once wore it.