Costume Reference: 1950-78 v. 10

The tenth in the series on British dress, this covers a period of dramatic change marked by Teddy Boy, beatnik, "swinging 60s" and hippy fashions. Trends include an increase of colour, unisex designs, informality and greater use of man-made fibres. The author ties in developments with social change, noting how women's increasing freedom and equality was reflected in the trouser suit, jeans and T-shirt; how the communication revolution created an atmosphere of striking but short-lived fashions such as hot-pants. The period also saw the end of the dominance of haute couteriers and the emergence of cheap, easy-care, mass-produced clothes aimed particularly at the young. Marion Sichel began her career as a costume designer for the theatre and now devotes her time to costume research.