Twiggy's Fashion Evolution

The Transformation of American Fashion in the 1960’s

By
Charlotte Demas

A research paper submitted to Mr.Cooper in partial fulfillment

of the requirements of 8th grade

Charlotte Country Day Middle School
Charlotte, North Carolina

March 7, 2017

The 1960’s was a decade inspired by youth, it was full it of events that had

impacts beyond headlines. Social movements like the Anti-war movement and the Civil

Rights movement demonstrated how young Americans were seeking an egalitarian

society while introducing a subculture of hippies. Famous icons, like Jackie Kennedy

and Twiggy set a new standard for style. The British Invasion influenced music in

When it came to women’s fashion, Twiggy greatly impacted US fashion trends

and beauty standards in the 60’s. Lesley Hornby aka “Twiggy”, was an extremely

successful British model in the 1960’s. She was known for her long eyelashes,

exaggerated makeup and cropped hair. She worked closely with designer Mary Quant,

wore dresses and skirts 6-7 inches above the knee. Twiggy modeled Quant’s famous

“Chelsea Look”. She often wore shift dresses in editorials and magazines that displayed

her slender, boyish frame. Twiggy’s most popular editorial was her “Less is More”

campaign that embraced a more liberated fashion (Powe-Temperley). She was often

photographed wearing the famous miniskirt, designed by Mary Quant or “hippie”

clothing. Twiggy’s wasn’t only a popular icon in the United Kingdom, her look and style

spread to the US. Her fame and fashion influenced women’s fashion in America, and

soon Quant’s miniskirt and “London Look” became a popular trend in the US.

In the 1960’s, boutiques took off, especially in London. In 1955, Mary Quant

opened her Chelsea boutique, Bazaar. She launched what was known as the

Hippies often rejected middle class values, opposed nuclear weapons

and the Vietnam War. They embraced aspects of eastern philosophy and sought to find

new meaning in life. Hippies embraced the use of psychedelic drugs like marijuana,

shrooms and LSD, which they believed expanded their minds. They opposed violence

and promoted peace, love and freedom.

Hippies portrayed their beliefs through their colorful and relaxed clothing. They

believed clothing was a part of the statement of who they were. Hippie dress included

brightly colored, ragged clothes, tie-dyed tee shirts, beads, and sandals (Bhaddock).

They wore these things to differentiate themselves from mainstream segments of

society. Hippies opposed popular and trending fashion, their fashion blended ethnic and

exotic styles. Their styles were influenced by countries all over the world, especially the

east. Caftans and ankle length dresses were based off of African tribes, gypsies and

Arabic dresses (Powe-Temperley). Their clothing was made from natural fibers, like

cotton, wool or silk, and they were often dyed bright colors(Powe-Temperley).