How Hair & Fashion changed the world

Why Hair and Fashion were more than just trends.

Hair and fashion in the sixties were not just trends and simply clothes people just happened to be wearing. But instead they were powerful statements that millions of people were making globally. Symbolizing a new generation and a new normal. Even today's fashion and hairstyles stem from the sixties, key inspirations  from style icons such as Twiggy, Nina Simone , Mary Quant and Audrey Hepburn. All these amazing women were the iconic faces of the sixties, inspiring girls all around the world, to embrace their individuality and freedom of expression.

The sixties fashion was an exciting time, full of bright new colors and daring fashion trends such as the introduction of the 'mini skirt'.  Mary Quant's mini skirt was not only the most iconic symbol of the sixties but also a symbol of change. The mini skirt was defiantly a bold statement, especially when it came to feminism, as the sixties was defiantly the decade in which women were finally given control over their bodies and were given the liberation to wear and behave however they chose too. With the emergence of books such as ' The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan it was clear the idea of the 'housewife' and perfect mother were changing, more women wanted to pursue higher education and delay starting families.

The Pill being introduced in the sixties was another wave of change, women were now in full control of their bodies, they were now sexually free, without the fear of having an unwanted pregnancy. Which  links in with the mini skirt, as it did shock people by how short it was especially when reflecting on the fashion of some of these women's parents who were used  to  skirts down to their  ankles. Now women could chose when they had children and didn't have to conform to the perfect ideals of starting a family as soon as you got married or even if you got married you could still choose not to  have children.

Hair for the civil rights movement was greatly important during sixties, not just to keep update with current trends but it was also a great symbol of resistance. Women such as Kathleen Cleaver were just one of the women who used their hair as a revolt against political system. The Afro was used as a symbol within the Black Panther Party to promote 'Black Power!' and the Afro was a symbol of strength. As many African Americans felt they had to straighten their hair to fit better into US society. It is easy to overlook fashion and even hair styles but by studying them in further it is clear they were a symbol of changing of ideas and attitudes.

By Emily