This case study is concerned with looking at whether or not it is fair to agree with statement that the fashion and design associated with the 1960s was a reflection of the youth of the time becoming wealthier. This cases study is concentrating on the teenagers living in the United States during this time. The central concept in this essay title is ‘teenage’. A Teenager is typically between the ages of 13 and 19 years so this is the age range that is being explored in this case study. This case study further explores a range of factors that could have influenced fashion trends …show more content…
They preached love, peace and freedom, the hippie movement was a voiced and coherent subculture. Hippies first emerged toward the end the sixties around 1967 in San Francisco, but the trend was soon adopted around the globe and even made its way to the United Kingdom. They not only took issue with the lifestyle of their parents but also with racial inequality, sexual discrimination and civil rights. Protests really powered the movement in particular against the US involvement in the Vietnam War. However the Vietnam War did play a part in inspiring fashion back at home in the United States. Due to the involvement of the French in the Vietnam War, French fashion designers such as Dior, Chanel, and Givenchy became well known in the states. Also influenced by French fashion was the introduction and production of stockings. Men’s fashion was inspired by the uniforms worn my soldiers fighting in Vietnam as well as Hollywood fashion such as blue jeans. The average man wore blue jeans and bright coloured, double breasted sports jackets, polyester suits, Nehru jackets and turtleneck sweaters. (Blackman (2012) pg.15) And for shoes they wore ankle boots with a square Cuban heel or Chelsea or Beatle boots.(Reed(2012) pgs. 24-27 The design museum 50 looks that changed the 1960s) In the early 1960’s, many teenagers dressed exactly like their parents. Popular designers created clothes only made clothes for adults and young children, so teenagers were left out of the earlier fashion movement. As time progressed, teenagers became the trend setters for the decade. Their tie-dye shirts, blue jeans, distressed clothing, and colourful patters soon became popular for young people of all ages. Boys began growing their hair long and wearing jackets with peace signs to protest the war. For a lot of people fashion was a form of self-expression during the Vietnam War period. Many teenagers