Have Retro Styles Changed Over Time?

The word “retro” comes from the Latin prefix of the same name. It means “in past times” and came about around the 1970s. Retro can refer to many things but, most of the time, when we talk about things being retro we are referring to retro style clothing. It’s nostalgic, fun and totally unique. It allows us to explore our clothing in a different way and to use it as an expression of our personalities rather than just something to cover our bodies with. The question is, have retro styles changed over time? To analyze this, we need to figure out what exactly retro refers to. Retro, as we mentioned, refers to fashion from a certain stage in time. Most notably, it talks about fashion from the 1940s through to the 1990s. Obviously retro was around in the 1990s but fashion of that era was modern. Therefore that is a clear indication that retro style clothing has changed over time. The trick to something being truly retro and not “just old” is to add the modern with the old. Online stores like www.jackdawlanding.com do an excellent job of this. Usually this is done by combining certain fabrics and cuts to combine current fashion with stylings of days gone by. Here are some key elements of some of the fashion decades that would now make an outfit retro: 1950s - this decade is easy to spot! It involves big hair and high ponytails as well as poodle skirts, large sunglasses and fedoras. Acrylic and spandex were introduced during this decade changing the way fabric moved and felt. This is also when the beloved pencil skirt came into fashion (and really never left the scene)! We can also thank the 1950s for the ultra-sexy stiletto! 1960s - this was another iconic fashion decade and we can thank this era for the bikini and the mini-skirt (really, where would we be without them?). Jackie Kennedy also introduced the pillbox hat. Shift dresses and boxy suits with big buttons were also a big draw. Notably, designers started focusing on creating for younger adults which changed fashion’s focus. 1970s - the late 1960s and the early 1970s were very similar in their stylings. Bell-bottoms were the iconic look of the decade with mini-skirts continuing to share in the limelight. Hippie-inspired clothing in bright colors and tie-dye were also extremely popular. Not everyone jumped on the hippie train though with many women choosing to be extraordinarily glamorous. Unfortunately, this was also the decade were matching his-and-her outfits were born!! 1980s - the 80s saw a turn in the price of fashion and in accessories. Women started to dress more for status. This is also when the punk movement was born. We can never get big shoulder pads and even bigger hair out of our memories! Is is clear that, over the years, the definition of retro style has changed. As time moves on, the modern looks of today will become retro over time. It means that, for years, you will always have new (and old) inspiration with which to design the wardrobe of your dreams.