What Goes Around Comes Around: 1960s Trend Revival

Fashion is always retro, but always on the basis of the abolition of the passé (the past): the spectral death and resurrection of forms. Its proper actuality (its 'up-to-dateness', its 'relevance') is not a reference to the present, but an immediate and total recycling.

JEAN BAUDRILLARD, Symbolic Exchange and Death

Jean Baudrillard hit the nail on the head. Fashion is total recycling. How many times have you worn a trend and your mother, for example, has said 'that used to be in fashion when I was young'? Think about it. Many times. 

In reality, some trends are meant to stay in the past - I look back at the trouser-skirts I wore in the 90s and shudder - but I'm very open to trying out recycled trends. I prefer not to call them 'recycled' though, I think 'revival', or 'reawakening', or 'revitalisation' are more accurate. I could go on and on. With this revitalisation of trends happening more or less every year, there's bound to be one that we all love in particular. And this is what the current 1960s trend revival is for me. I've got 1960s fever; a longing to be part of the sixties scene. 

What's not to love? The 1960s trend revival encompasses more than just a knee length swing skirt or an a-line hem, it means bright colours, bold prints, cat-eye shades, and looking oh-so-fabulous all at the same time. I don't care if it's been done before - revivals happen for a reason, and this one is so that we can all enjoy what those youth of the sixties did: fabulous shapes, prints and colours. 

I've scoured the internet and compiled lists of my three favourite elements to 1960s fashion - all items are available right now, either online or in store. Most of these items are on my current wishlist (emphasis on wish).

1. Topshop, £70
2. Alice & Olivia, £180
3. Motel, £35
4. Miss Selfridge, £25
5. Forever 21, £10
6. Miss Selfridge, £35

1. ASOS, £35
2. Topshop, £55
3. Next, £28
4. Mango, £64.99
5. Michael Kors, £120
6. Zara, £59.99

1. MSGM, £290

2. Topshop, £20

3. ASOS, 18

4. Louis Vuitton, £750

5. Louis Vuitton, £2,150

6. ASOS, £52

7. M Missoni, £350

Want to channel the 1960s vibe? I hope I've convinced you. If not, take a look at this webpage focused on the 1960s in fashion to see key designers, looks and styles. Feel free to share any comments/ queries about the products and the trend itself.

- A.T.

Style Spotlight: Bib Necklace

One trend that has successfully transitioned into Autumn/Winter this year is the bib necklace, otherwise known as a 'choker' or 'collar' necklace. Browse any online retailer right now, from Forever 21 to Chanel, and you will find an assortment of necklaces in this style. In summer it was all about the bold African-stylee or floral bib necklaces, but as we head into the darker months it is clear to see how the trend has evolved to fit the season. Cue dozens of choker necklaces hitting stores recently, with thicker features and more metallic colours to match our wardrobes.

A bib/ choker necklace is one thing I felt I needed to enhance my wardrobe this winter. I'm all for the oversized plain jumpers and comfy leggings, but after stumbling upon this piece of jewellery I felt it would add a splash of colour to my outfits. The mix of colours on the necklace and gold exterior make it perfect for this seasons style, and the shapes on the necklace adhere to another trend this season: geometric shapes. Dark silvery greys and golds are in perfect fitting with the metallic revival of this season; 

My necklace:

(Primark, £4)

Designer options:
(from left to right: Lanvin, Chanel, Kenneth Jay Lane, Glossy Queen)

There are a handful of ways to wear the bib necklace, and I'm thankful that it's use isn't constrained to being worn on a night out. To go to class one day this week, I found myself wearing the necklace with a white oversized tee, turned up jeans, loafers and my black duffle. The outfit was warm enough for the weather right now and the necklace added just the right amount of colour that our otherwise dark outfits this time of year need. 

1. Black duffle coat, barbour.co.uk
2. Dark skinny roll-up jeans, hm.com
3. Brown loafers, aldo.com
4. White burnout tee, topshop.co.uk
5. Choker necklace, in Primark stores only

Below are some other outfit suggestions for the bib necklace. Here we have a chameleon trend that I'm confident will continue into next Spring. If you decide to buy one, remember that oversized, statement necklaces work perfectly with plain outfits - sometimes the necklace is all you need to set off the outfit.

           Try teaming a necklace with a knitted jumper

Matching the necklace to the tone of
your top works perfectly, as seen here
at Donna Karan

For a more glamorous look, try a gold bib and
use bronze tones with your makeup

Wearing a white top makes the necklace
more of a statement feature. Think contrast.

Heading out in the cold? Wear the necklace under
a coat, leaving the top buttons undone so it
still shows.

Bib necklaces transition perfectly
into nighttime, too. Try tied back
hair to accentuate the necklace.

There are a handful of trends to be fond of this season - and to thank designers for - from leather, to metallic,  to psychedelic patterns and oversized clothes. Whatever the trend, one characteristic sticks out: boldness. Embrace this whilst you can, and look fit for the season with a statement bib necklace. On a final note,  remember that you don't have to break the bank to get one - I found mine in Primark! 

- A.T.