We all take
style inspiration from different sources. Everything from politics and culture,
to fame and the media has the power to change what we wear — but who are the
female icons that have truly transformed how we dress?
Pinpointing
the moment a style leapt from the side-lines into mainstream fashion is near
impossible. However, sometimes, all it takes is the drive and power of a single
female icon to create a revolution. Check out the leading women fashion
influencers and find out how to bring their iconic trends into 2018.
Mary Quant and the miniskirt
The miniskirt
is one of the greatest icons of the Swinging Sixties and British designer, Mary
Quant, was the sole driving force behind it, taking it from alternative to
mainstream almost immediately.
Although
experimenting with the short hemline much earlier, it was around 1964 that she
started creating miniskirts — named after Quant’s favourite car — in her London
boutique. Sitting around six or seven inches above the knee, the style was
revolutionary at a time when young women were still expected to dress like
their mothers.
Soon, the
garment went global and was worn by 1960s’ icons including Jean Shrimpton,
Goldie Hawn and Jackie Kennedy. During the 1970s, the popularity of the
miniskirt waned. However, rock legend, Debbie Harry, brought it back in true
PVC style, before Madonna put her own tulle-embellished stamp on it at the 1984
MTV Video Music Awards and 1990s’ girl Britney Spears took it in a fresh
direction with barely-there cropped tops.
The miniskirt
came at the ideal time — during a decade hallmarked by emerging youth culture
and sexual freedom for women. Often considered a symbol of female rebellion
against the status quo of fashion, the miniskirt is still causing controversy
today in certain religions and countries.
Get the look:
Skorts are
big in 2018 — so why not go for this style and infuse your current wardrobe
with the 1960s? Alternatively, try a frill mini skirt with a cute cami for an
interesting outline, or rock an embroidered denim number with a cold-shoulder
top when the spring-summer season gets underway.
Audrey Hepburn and the LBD
There are
hundreds of famous film costumes, but few carry the legendary status of Audrey
Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s number. Released in 1961, the opening
scene depicted Hepburn in a stunning, black Givenchy dress with elbow-length
gloves and pearls eating a croissant on the morning after a big party is a
beloved part of Hollywood history.
However, the
LBD was first launched in the 1920s by Parisian designer, Coco Chanel.
Featuring on the front cover of Vogue in 1926, it was labelled ‘Chanel’s Ford’
which was testament to its simplicity and accessibility.
“Black wipes
out everything else around,” said Chanel about the design, and it appears that
fashionable women feel the same. The vision of Holly Golightly — Hepburn’s
character — revived the high-fashion style and brought it to the attention of
fashion-conscious, 1960s’ women who wanted to look effortlessly elegant at a
time when women were beginning to be encouraged to think that way.
Interestingly,
Hepburn’s original LBD was much shorter, but the film bosses of the time felt
it showed too much of her leg. Consequently, costumer designer, Edith Head,
amended the design, which sold at auction for £467,000 in 2006.
From the
frenzy-creating LBD worn by Princess Diana in 1994, to the LBD donned by Kate
Moss to mark a decade with Rimmel London; this symbol of simple sophistication
is an obligatory part of female fashion — and Hepburn propelled it into
mainstream consciousness where it remains.
Get the look:
This look is
timeless and no matter which style you go for, you’re going to look incredible.
This is your opportunity to rock whichever cut and length you feel most
comfortable in. Love figure-hugging styles? Get a bodycon occasion dress. Prefer undefined
silhouettes? Go for a tunic LBD. Need something truly sensational for a special
evening? Opt for a floor-length, fishtail design for classic glamour.
Marilyn Monroe and the cocktail dress
Screen icon,
Marilyn Monroe, is still renowned today for her on-screen persona, off-screen
romances and unforgettable fashion choices. But when it comes to style, what
made Monroe an icon?
Monroe, born
Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, defined what it was to be sexually attractive
and made it acceptable in an era when women were still encouraged to dress
modestly. While most ladies naturally opted for blouses, long skirts and high
necklines; Monroe showed the world how to wear clothes that showed off your
body in an attractive way — and the best example of this was the famous white
cocktail dress.
In 1955,
Monroe wore the unforgettable ivory dress for production of The Seven Year
Itch. You may not have watched the film, but you’ll certainly recognise the
now iconic scene where air blows up from a subway grate and lifts the skirt of
Monroe’s frock, as she playfully tries to push it back down — an example that
perfectly defines how Monroe contributed to fashion. This famous backless dress
featured a daring halter-like bodice with a plunging neck and bare arms — a far
more risqué design than many 1950s’ women were used to. Similarly, the sheer,
strappy dress featuring more than 2,000 crystals that she wore to sing “Happy
Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 again displayed Monroe’s ability
to create an attractive silhouette while fusing sex appeal and high-fashion.
The most
popular sex symbol of the 1950s, many attribute the invention of the term and
definition ‘bombshell’ to Monroe. Her curvaceous figure and ability to exhibit
it with class and style today makes her one of fashion’s most celebrated icons.
Soon after her death in August 1962, we saw the rise of miniskirts and
knee-high boots — both styles that helped women break free of humble fashion
during the Swinging Sixties.
Monroe
embraced the power of femininity and did not conform to the modest trends of
the 1950s, instead fusing her attractiveness with fashion to create an
alluring, elegant, feminine appeal and encouraging other women to do the same.
Perhaps today, we could even thank Monroe for 2018 fashion-favourites like
figure-hugging bodycon dresses, backless jumpsuits and strapless tops.
Get the look:
There are
plenty of styles around today that can help you channel the confidence and
glamour of Marilyn Monroe. Bodycon dresses will give you an enviable silhouette
by flaunting every curve, while Bardot tops allow you to show some shoulder and
halter-neck jumpsuits look amazing with a pair of heels. Strapless, fishtail
dresses are the ultimate in Hollywood glitz, and anything with metallic or
diamante embellishments will help you shimmer like the blonde bombshell
herself. Make sure to finish off your look with pretty pieces of jewellery,
too.
Cher and bell bottom trousers
Before the
1960s, bell bottom trousers were most widely associated with the British and
United States Navies. However, the rise of the multi-talented singer, actress
and fashionista, Cher, was the driving force behind bell bottoms — potentially
the most iconic of all 1970’s styles.
She is
credited with popularising the clothing style on both sides of the Atlantic —
from the 1965 episode of Beat Club when she sang ‘I Got You Babe’ in flared
trousers, to the end of her three-year run on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
in 1974 where she donned the trouser-style throughout.
Looking back
from 2018, many of us consider the bell-bottom jean — which were typically
flared from the knee with an opening of up to 66cm — a product of the hippie
movement. However, Cher brought the style into mainstream fashion via her fame
and influence in TV, radio and film; encouraging men and women alike to adopt
the style and aiding the fusion of genderless fashion styles.
Get the look:
Bring the
1970s into 2018 by replicating these famously wide cuts. Think bell bottom
jeans are too retro? Go for a pair of black palazzo pants and match with a
cropped top and heels for a stunning, going-out look with just a hint of
nostalgia. Or, pull on a pair of nude culottes and team it with a floral Bardot
top for the perfect boho, 1970s vibe for drinks and food with friends.
There are
countless more fashion icons that we and women before of us have used as a
source of inspiration when it comes to dressing. Why not pay homage to these
iconic styles by bringing a taste of them into your 2018 wardrobe?
Becky x
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*This is a sponsored posted written in collaboration with Quiz Clothing
