Exploring the V+A

During my summer break I've been researching into some fashion history exploring the sixties and seventies era! The music, the icons, the catwalks, the colours, the lot! My task was to complete a mood board demonstrating my interest and knowledge on a chosen era. Of course I chose the sixties (my all time favourite era!) as I just love the fashion and history of it, however I wanted to get a better insight into the background knowledge of the swinging sixites. A I have never been (bad fashion student moment) I thought the V+A museum would have all the answers in their fashion exhibition! I must of taken around 100 snaps of the glorious outfits but I will only share a few! 

18th century fashion - silk 'mantua' gown , 1760-70. This mantua was worn only by aristocratic ladies for ceremonies at court. The petticoat is erm.. very wide but had developed from previous fashion into sloping sides and worn over a hoop (ouch) 

1720's evening dress

The dye of the dress was only brought by the rich, as the price to buy was so high due to it's rareness. If wet the colour would wash away.

The evolution of the kimono..

The roaring twenties! Long column dresses, low waist lines, ostrich feathers, sequins and fur!

40's beach wear! 

 

My ultimate fav - the swinging sixties! 

We're talking Mary quant, the sexual revolution, hippies and free love, shorter hem lines, Peter Pan collars, paper dresses.. 

 

70's prom wear 

I want that corset!

1970's. - Vivenne Westwood and rise of the punks! 

Would thoroughly recommend this exhibition! 

"Yes, they're fabulous but how do I wear them?"

Do you ever get so hung up on something you insist yourself you need them? For example, me the other day in Topshop (never a good idea) where I found the most gorgeous pair of white platformed sandals, totally fell in love with them, bought them without thinking and got home with no style inspiration on what to wear them with.. fuck. It happens to us all.

As we all know this SS trend its all about the white. White bags, hair, nails, jeans and most popular; shoes. This, of course, was the sole reason as to why I bought the sandals even though they were quite an outrageous buy for me! Whenever I get into these sticky situations I normally trawl though magazines to find similar styles/colours which match my purchase and take inspiration from the editors pick. However, I recently came across the blogging platform Polyvore which I love to create my own sets and collections with! Its a great way to piece together sets of your particular style, it feels alot more personal and can be great fun!

Heres a few I created to get some style inspo!