I am utterly in love with the past. In fact, I have recently been self-diagnosed as suffering from a bad case of nostalgia. You can see it in the records on my wall, my history major, and perhaps most prominently, my clothes. Even if you are not experiencing the symptoms of “golden age thinking,” it is an undeniable fact that the past provides the best inspiration for the present in our wardrobes.
1920s
The 1920s were a golden age for many reasons: speakeasies, jazz, art deco, the list goes on. Perhaps the most significant change of the 20s, especially for women, was the modern fashion that emerged from the groundbreaking flappers of the decade. After rigid Victorian styles, the 1920s offered a cleansing breath of what we now know as sportswear.
Staple Pieces:
· Shift dresses
· Red lipstick
· Floppy hats
· Statement jewelry
· Sequins, lots and lots of sequins
1950s
Forget the round skirt donned by 50s housewives and look to a few of our favorite starlets for the period’s most noteworthy style. Actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and even the first lady, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, showed off timeless looks that have come to characterize the decade. From ladylike ensembles to gamine charm, what was fashionable in 1950 has clearly stood the test of time.
Staple Pieces
· Striped shirt
· Classic white button-down
· Cropped trousers
· LBD
· Big sunglasses
1960s
Where the 1950s embraced simplicity, the 1960s embraced bright swirling colors, long hair, and flower power. Whether the 60s conjure images of a mod Twiggy or a hippie Woodstock attendee, it’s clear this tumultuous era had some standout fashion to match its political and social distinctiveness.
Staple Pieces
· Fringe
· Maxi skirts and dresses for the hippies
· Mini skirts and dresses for the mods
· Wide leg trousers
· Peasant tops
1970s
With all things 70s becoming trendy again, this decade has some serious styles to draw inspiration from. Whether channeling a disco look a la Studio 54, a casual denim ensemble like Farah Fawcett, or a more masculine Annie Hall inspired style; the 70s are back, and for good reason.
Staple Pieces
· Slinky dresses
· All denim everything
· Jumpsuits
· Ladylike menswear
· Platforms
1980s
Most people don’t give the 80s the credit it deserves, writing it off as a period of bright colors, big hair, and excessive workout wear. However, the punk look that emerged from the decade, and dare I say it, Madonna’s new approach to feminine, material-girl-style, make this period worth a second glance.
Staple Pieces
· Leather jackets
· Lace
· Ray-Bans
· Ripped jeans
· Washed denim jackets
1990s
The styles of the 90s diverged in radically different directions, with its supermodel minimalism, grunge, and brighter styles borrowed from the 80s. I would be remiss not to mention the Spice Girls, Kelly Kapowski, or tattoo choker necklaces. However, the 90s are undeniably more inspiring in terms of Kurt Kobain’s grunge, and celebrities’ (including Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore) carefree minimalism.
Staple Pieces
· Flannel
· Oversized graphic tees
· Doc Martens
· Overalls
· Round sunglasses