Everyday Fashions Of The Sixties

A comprehensive retrospective of what people were wearing in the 1960s, this vibrant compilation offers a telling look at a decade of vast social change through shifts in mainstream fashion. The pages of Sears catalogs trace the era's increasing movement away from conservative clothing-e.g. demure dresses, smart hats, and dainty gloves-in favor of more casual sportswear, slacks, and wash-and-wear fabrics like Ban-Lon. Fashion authority JoAnne Olian, former curator of the costume collection at the Museum of the City of New York, has supplied an informative Introduction that chronicles the turbulent decade's sea change in fashion, from the trend-setting influence of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to the British invasion of Mary Quant designs and the rise of a youth-oriented culture. Scores of illustrations depict apparel for men, women, and children for every occasion, from swimwear, lingerie, and playclothes to bridal ensembles, Madras jackets, vinyl slicker coats, and pants of every description: tapered slacks, jeans, capris, bermudas, and short shorts. A variety of accessories also appear, ranging from modacrylic stretch wigs to women's flats in psychedelic colors. Illustrations appear with original captions specifying features, colors, sizes, and prices. Historians and enthusiasts of fashion and dress will welcome this time capsule from an age of stylistic influences that echo to this day.