After decades of rules we are finally in an era of anything goes, writes Carole Levy.
Never mind that the ’60s was deemed the era of ‘‘free love’’ and ‘‘anything goes’’ – the dictates of fashion were as proscriptive as any found in the previous decade, known for its conservatism and adherence to precise fashion laws.
Each decade since has had its own set of unwritten rules when it comes to what to wear. It’s taken the radical noughties to throw off the shackles of fashion rules – it’s only now that the ‘‘anything goes’’ mantra is being lived out.
So, freedom or confusion?
The answer is probably both, but as Janis Joplin sings in Bobby McGee, ‘‘freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose’’.And that’s something that this past decade has allowed: fashion freedom with no one labelled a fashion loser.
1960s
Mini or maxi skirts – nothing in between.
Stockings or tights are essential.
Colour mantra: blue and green should never be seen.
1970s
Flared jeans – no other cut.
Colour mantra: avoid patterns and stripes together.
1980s
Shoulder pads are everywhere.
Colour mantra: block colours are glamorous; patterns and pastels are daggy.
1990s
Handbag and shoes are always matching.Colour mantra: brown suddenly goes with black.
2000s
Any length of dress or skirt.
Bare legs are the norm.
Colour mantra: clashing colours are style statements.
2000s
Any cut of jeans okay.
Colour mantra: patterns and stripes combo is the new ‘‘creative’’ look.
2000s
No shoulder pads but retro shoulder pads trendy.
Colour mantra: patterns, block colours, stripes, pastels and spots — all good.
2000s
Matching, not matching — all accessorising combinations are now the go.
Colour mantra: anything goes.
