Beyond The Mirror Research Paper
Beyond the Mirror: How Progressive Social Movements Influenced the Style of the 70s
Written by: Carley Deibler
AT 430, Fall 2016 Kansas State University
Introduction
Individuality was a key aspect of the 70s, and fashion had this style as its vocal point. In the early 1970s, Vogue magazine stated, “There are no rules in the fashion game now.” The decade known as the “Me” decade is known as one of the most complex periods in the fashion world. With key events happening, such as, women’s emancipation and gay liberation, it seemed as all the rules were broken regarding the fashion industry. Rather than sticking to brands and certain trends set by previous eras, the 70s stuck to certain ideals to define them. Those ideals being “freedom”, “personal
expression”, and “Individuality”. The 1970s were a time of empowered women fighting for equality. This essay explores the life of a small town conservative woman, and focuses on how progressive social movements influenced her life and her style.
Findings: Presentation of Themes
Upon interview Vicki Templeton, I started to see some commonalities in her answers to my questions. I saw that all her answers involving apparel, tended to have background with the matters of social movements that were happening during the time in the 70s. Vicki was in her twenties during the decade of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. She was born and raised in the rural town of Parsons, Kansas. Growing up in a town with the population of approximately 10,000 people, one can imagine the extreme pressure to stay with the conservative values insisted. However, this could be immensely hard to do when the decade of freedom and sexuality is what you lived your early adult life through.
My first theme I found was “work attire influenced by the feminist movement”. Vicki was just beginning to enter the workforce and got to see first- hand how fashion was revolutionized by the feminist movement. From pantsuits to blazers, Vicki witness and participated in this movement. The second theme being “clothing of mainstream hippies impacting casual wear fashion” was found when Vicki discussed her everyday attire in the 70s. With a very hippie feel to her attire, I began to see this social movement of freedom and self- expression impacting her daily wear. The final theme discussed is “hippie handcraft movement”, which is made up of the sewing trend Vicki partook in, and the remaking of old attire she performed.
Written by: Carley Deibler
AT 430, Fall 2016 Kansas State University
Introduction
Individuality was a key aspect of the 70s, and fashion had this style as its vocal point. In the early 1970s, Vogue magazine stated, “There are no rules in the fashion game now.” The decade known as the “Me” decade is known as one of the most complex periods in the fashion world. With key events happening, such as, women’s emancipation and gay liberation, it seemed as all the rules were broken regarding the fashion industry. Rather than sticking to brands and certain trends set by previous eras, the 70s stuck to certain ideals to define them. Those ideals being “freedom”, “personal
expression”, and “Individuality”. The 1970s were a time of empowered women fighting for equality. This essay explores the life of a small town conservative woman, and focuses on how progressive social movements influenced her life and her style.
Findings: Presentation of Themes
Upon interview Vicki Templeton, I started to see some commonalities in her answers to my questions. I saw that all her answers involving apparel, tended to have background with the matters of social movements that were happening during the time in the 70s. Vicki was in her twenties during the decade of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. She was born and raised in the rural town of Parsons, Kansas. Growing up in a town with the population of approximately 10,000 people, one can imagine the extreme pressure to stay with the conservative values insisted. However, this could be immensely hard to do when the decade of freedom and sexuality is what you lived your early adult life through.
My first theme I found was “work attire influenced by the feminist movement”. Vicki was just beginning to enter the workforce and got to see first- hand how fashion was revolutionized by the feminist movement. From pantsuits to blazers, Vicki witness and participated in this movement. The second theme being “clothing of mainstream hippies impacting casual wear fashion” was found when Vicki discussed her everyday attire in the 70s. With a very hippie feel to her attire, I began to see this social movement of freedom and self- expression impacting her daily wear. The final theme discussed is “hippie handcraft movement”, which is made up of the sewing trend Vicki partook in, and the remaking of old attire she performed.