Anything Goes
Evening Wear in Louisiana, 1896–1996
Anything Goes
Evening Wear in Louisiana, 1896–1996
No one fashion shape dominated this eclectic period. Dress for evening was very relaxed, including unconstructed tunics, pants, and caftans in flowing fabrics. The overall look was soft and fluid. Skin was bared in halter dresses and strapless gowns. Legs were shown off in miniskirts that rose as high as nine inches above the knee. A youthful feeling predominated. The "mod" boyish look of famous models like Twiggy was emulated. Bright, psychedelic colors and flower prints became popular. The closing of the design house of Balenciaga in 1968 presaged a decline in the leading role of haute couture in the mid-1970s. An eclectic, less formal feeling took hold. Nostalgia was expressed through use of stylistic elements of earlier periods.
Fashion in the 1960s and early 1970s reflected the radical spirit of the times. The 1960s began with Jacqueline Kennedy-inspired outfits, characterized by slim sheaths and elegant simplicity. Some women soon abandoned this understated style in favor of the youthful look of the counterculture. The civil rights, antiwar, and student movements, along with rock music, encouraged a liberal fashion mentality even in more conservative circles. New styles caught some institutions by surprise. The counterculture's interest in ethnic cultures around the world, particularly in the East, also steered designers to new, exotic looks.
In 1972 the Louisiana House of Representatives hastily amended its dress code and restricted women to skirts and dresses after a committee employee showed up in hot pants. The next day the unrepentant worker wore a miniskirt. Even formal wear followed this general trend as women's evening styles ranged from pants to miniskirts. In the 1970s such eclectic fashions as halter dresses, caftans, and tunics (sometimes paired with pants or long skirts) found their way into the formal wardrobe. The women's movement, which condemned restrictive bras and girdles, played some part in determining new styles, as loose-fitting flowing designs captured the spirit of the times.