Which generation wore the best outfits?
Fashion has always come around in cycles, with each generation having an influence on those that come in the future. However, this doesn't happen immediately. The generation that follows directly after will most likely question their fashion predecessors and think, "Why on earth did they wear that?". There are also classic pieces that have been passed down through the ages and they are still in our wardrobes. Nevertheless, there have been some fabulous fashions over the last century, but each had a unique style that made them stand out from the others.
Modern fashion often combines aspects of previous generations to create an entirely new look. In addition to this, modern fashion moves a lot faster than in the past. This shift can be attributed to social media and the internet.
In previous years, you had to go shopping to find a piece that you wanted, and if it was sold out, you often had to queue up to get your hands on a popular item. Nowadays, this is all digitalised. The internet has provided a whole new space to get fashion inspiration and also to buy new clothing. As a result of this, we have a lot more reach and can receive outfits the next day (if not sooner), so we find trends moving a lot faster than they did previously. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean there are fewer "iconic" looks of the decade as clothing is tossed aside when it's no longer trending. Let's take a brief look at some of our favourite generations of fashion.
Swinging '60s
At Relco, we may be slightly biased, but the 1960s were definitely some of the most iconic years in fashion. The 1960s were not only a shift in fashion, it was a shift in most aspects of pop culture. This includes film, entertainment, music, art, and fashion. The 60s were particularly interesting for fashion, as there were many different styles of clothing introduced. Vintage patterned shirts such as paisley and polka dot became all the rage as the 60s moved towards colour and loud patterns.
The 1960s also brought flared trousers and mini skirts, something which was very against the grain of the decades before. As young people would typically mimic the clothing that their parents would wear. The 60s was the first movement towards a bolder style of fashion, so this really set the tone for the years moving forward. And of course, with the bias previously mentioned, we need to give a special reference to mod fashion, which was one of the movements that influenced the 60s fashion and has been influencing fashion since its birth. The short kind of jackets like the bomber or the Harrington, the mix between the old days' style and the bold style clothing converged in this unique movement that still has its admirers these days, like us.
1970s Disco Fever
The 1970s brought a disco revolution that influenced fashion in a significant way. Disco culture was all about glitz, glamour, and excess. Shimmering fabrics, bold prints, and platform shoes were the go-to choices for partygoers. The iconic disco looks for men included wide-collar shirts, bell-bottom pants, and flashy accessories. This era embraced a sense of freedom and self-expression, with disco clubs becoming the epicentre of fashion and dance. The disco fashion of the 70s continues to inspire retro-themed parties and nostalgic fashion enthusiasts.
1980s Neon
Now, this is a highly debated topic. Was 1980s neon iconic or tacky? Whilst fashion gurus never quite came up with an answer to this question, 1980s neon was one of a kind. Another style of note was high-waisted jeans, something that was denounced in the early 2000s and brought back around 2014. Whilst the 1980s brought big hair and big fashion ideas, we can't help but think that it wasn't necessarily our favourite.
1990s Grunge
Millennials of today are a far cry from what they wore in their youth. The arrival of the 1990s grunge brought themes of oversized clothing, gothic eyeliner, and ripped jeans. However, it also brought forward an idea that started in the 1980s, which was casual wear. This resulted in sportswear becoming fashion and brands like Nike, Kappa, and Ellesse. 90s fashion had a heavy influence on not only clothes but also hair, beauty, and tattoos. It was one of the first decades where tattoos were featured in mainstream fashion, and the famous lower back tattoo will haunt people's memories forever, and some bodies too.
2000s Streetwear and Pop Culture
The 2000s marked a shift towards streetwear and the influence of pop culture on fashion. This era saw the rise of iconic brands like Supreme, BAPE, and Off-White, which popularized a casual and edgy aesthetic. Hip-hop and skateboarding culture played a significant role in shaping the fashion of the 2000s, with baggy jeans, oversized hoodies, and graphic t-shirts becoming staple items. Celebrity fashion also gained prominence, with iconic looks from artists like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Beyoncé influencing trends. The 2000s fashion continues to inspire contemporary streetwear and the fusion of music and fashion in popular culture.
The question of "Which generation wore the best outfits?" is a difficult one, as most decades offered a look that is still worn today so that warrants giving each generation credit where credit's due. However, we have to say that the swinging '60s were definitely the best in terms of the iconic looks and cultural shift that occurred. Moreover, we can still see mod clothing shops and looks that remind us of that vibrant era.