The revival of the notorious Sixties miniskirt may be just around the corner.
As a symbol of revolution, made famous by the designer Mary Quant, it is no wonder miniskirts are having their fashion comeback. After a year of social and political unrest, this emblem of societal change is set to return to our wardrobes in 2021. However, the modern version of the mini-skirt is due to for an upheaval, to accommodate all shapes and sizes, rather than cater to a Sixties silhouette.
Along with the development of the birth control pill, the ‘miniskirt’ became a mark of sexual empowerment amongst women in the sixties. Named after the quintessentially British car, the ‘miniskirt’ took the world by storm. Its legacy, propelled by Quant in 1964, has lasted a lifetime. Youth culture was irrepressible during this era and young women’s fashion reflected this. Women gained more freedom to do as they pleased, and along with this, a choice in what they wore. Not only was the skirt symbolic, but also extremely customisable and one could own many skirts of different patterns and colours. This allowed women to adapt the skirt to fit their personal style, nudging female self-expression on a global scale. The ‘British Society for the Protection of Mini Skirts’ protested when major designers refused to include miniskirts in their 1966 catwalk collections. Their believed that miniskirts represented the women’s movement. The mini-skirt was seen to be much more than a piece of fabric with an extremely short hem; it was the personification of progress.
Now with the advancement of the body positivity movement; miniskirts will move in a size-inclusive direction. Ever since the movement started on social media, the fashion industry has been struggling to keep up. Now we are finally starting to see different body types on the runway and hopefully this will only progress into the future. The miniskirt and shorter hemmed dresses appeared on many SS21 catwalks last year and were featured on models of all sizes. Notable designers included Mui Mui, Dolce and Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, Valentino and Versace. This obvious nod to the ‘youthquake’ of the Sixties; symbolic of progressive change and optimism after a long, dreary year.
The revival of the Sixties aesthetic, has also been influenced by social media, particularly TikTok. This app which has allowed a generation to laugh and learn, has been a strong influence on this season’s fashion trends. The #1960s has over 190.8M views, clearly displaying the gravity of TikTok’s influence on this revival of the era. This makes clear, that Gen Z, unlike the youth of the Sixties, have a desire to recognize the past rather than destroy it. Allowing them to make way for a kinder, brighter and more diverse future. History often seems as though it is repeating itself, but it is noticeably apparent with last year’s protests and political unrest. As a symbol of hope, the miniskirt will hopefully see us through 2021-22 with optimism and a new perspective.
Mui Mui SS21
Valentino AW21
GCDS AW21