Mini Skirts, Cleavage, and Rights?

In the 1960s, women were reviving their personal independence from what society believed a woman should be.  During this time period, women began wearing mini skirts, sleeveless tops, and baby doll dresses.  To many, this was an outrage.  It was inappropriate for women to show bare skin, which was how the pantyhose came about, and vibrant, mod outfits were not ideal for a practical young lady.  However, the youth had different opinions.  The mod look was in style and it gave women a freedom that had not been felt since the flappers kissed goodbye their long locks and corsets.  Women were wearing mini skirts, mini dresses, stilettos, and many were experimenting with different hairstyles because they wanted to.

This drastic change in style was clearly a reflection of the political changes of the decade.  Women were using revealing and bold fashion to express the Civil Rights Movement that gave way in the 1960s, where African Americans and women alike were fighting for their rights.  Among other political changes, the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave women several employment opportunities.  The women of the 1960s wanted to show that neither clothes nor politics would limit their identities.

Today, women have taken their shocking fashion to a whole new level.  Jennifer Lopez’s infamous Versace gown is a perfect example of this; however, as provocative as that dress was, Jennifer Lopez has established herself as one of the most successful business women in today’s society.  Perhaps she was proving that no one was going to tell her what she needed to where because, at the end of the day, she is the one writing the checks.

Lopez exemplifies that this liberating mentality from the ‘60s, in parallel to women’s fashion and status, is still very present.  Women have achieved a higher place in nearly all aspects of society, giving them a sense of independence and freedom, which also translates into clothing.  Walk down any street and every woman will be wearing what she wants to be wearing because she knows she can.

(word count: 347)