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A costume fashionable in the 1970s. Source: Supplied
AS PART of The Sunday Telegraph’s special 75th anniversary feature, we have put together some of the great fashion trends of the decades.
Here are the trends of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Next, we will feature the trends up to today from the 80s and 90s.
1950s
Australian fashion during the 1940 and ’50s was still greatly influenced by European, and increasingly American fashion and style.
But it was the tour of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1954 that proved to be a huge influence.
It was the first time any ruling British monarch had set foot on Australian soil.
1954 Royal Tour: Queen Elizabeth watching the races at Randwick Racecourse in February. Source: News Corp Australia
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh are greeted at Rockhampton Airport by Mayor Ald. Pilbeam during their tour of Australia in March 1954. Source: News Corp Australia
1954 Royal Tour: Queen Elizabeth attends a garden party at Government House. Source: News Corp Australia
1954 Royal Tour: Queen Elizabeth arrives at the Sydney Town Hall to attend a State Ball. Source: News Corp Australia
The newly married couple stayed for two months and visited 11 major cities and 99 towns. Consequently she travelled with trunks containing more than 100 outfits, most of which were elegant reinterpretations of British couturier and Parisian designs.
Her youthful beauty and slim silhouette proved to be a huge inspiration at the time.
Model Janice Wakely wearing the styles of the 1950s. Source: News Corp Australia
Betty Rose McInerney with a professional model at the Ladies Day spring meeting at Randwick in 1958. Source: News Corp Australia
The Bloomer Suit, worn by June Massey, in December 1954. Source: News Corp Australia
One of the popular hair styles of the 1950s. Source: News Corp Australia
Women’s appreciation of fashion was becoming more international and sophisticated and Australian women were wanting more glamour.
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that broke with many fashion traditions.
Up until that time, Australian fashion was still greatly influenced by European, and increasingly American, style.
The Swinging ’60s heralded the arrival of a youth generation that saw clothing as a way to differentiate themselves from their conservative parents.
TV personality Maggie Tabberer. Picture: Helmut Newton Source: News Corp Australia
TV personality Maggie Tabberer. Picture: Helmut Newton Source: News Corp Australia
TV personality Maggie Tabberer with daughters Brooke and Amanda. Source: News Corp Australia
Model Jean Newington wearing the styles of the 1960s. Source: News Corp Australia
This period also represented a dramatic cultural shift mirroring politics, music and the social movements of the time.
Ready-to-wear was favoured over custom-made and young women began instead to turn to the new urban boutiques that were springing up around the country.
1960: Maggie Tabberer won Model of the Year. Source: News Corp Australia
1963-64: Anthony Hordern’s spring/summer catalogue. Source: News Corp Australia
Stores such as Sportsgirl and The House of Merivale — Australia’s first boutique similar to Biba’s in London — opened to satisfy a growing market for the hottest looks by designers who were creating their own take on the latest overseas trends.
1969: Maggie Eckhardt set the world on fire in Europe. Picture: David Mist, from his book Made In Australia. Source: News Corp Australia
1965: Jean Shrimpton made global headlines in Colin Rolfe’s thigh-baring shift on Derby Day in Melbourne. Source: News Limited
1970s
Fashion continued to be daring, carefree and diverse as we embraced everything from hippie chic and disco through to the anarchy of punk.
But the ’70s also marked a great shift in retailing.
Traditionally designers created ranges exclusively for department stores under their various labels.
1970: Model Lyn Sutherland was one of several models at the time who successfully made the transition to overseas catwalks. Source: News Corp Australia
John and Merivale Hemmes started out designing hats before opening a fashion boutique in Pitt St. Source: News Corp Australia
1871: Australia’s ‘First Lady’ Sonia McMahon (left), creates a sensation at the White House. Source: News Corp Australia
1972: Former Miss World Belinda Green wearing hot pants. Source: News Corp Australia
But as attitudes changed and confidence grew, many designers took the opportunity to steer away from the department store monopoly and branch out on their own.
This also was the era that saw the birth of many of our established brand names, now synonymous with great Australian fashion.
1972: Hot pants were a favourite fashion piece for former Miss World Belinda Green. Source: News Corp Australia
1979: Aussie fashion pioneer Trent Nathan and a model in one of his creations. Source: News Corp Australia