The miniskirt has topped a list of the most ICONIC female fashion items of the past 50 years, according to a new survey.
Emerging as a symbol of rebellious youth culture in the 1960s, with its invention attributed to Mary Quant, and supermodel Twiggy its unofficial poster child, the research reveals that the miniskirt remains the most loved wardrobe staple for British women.
Number two on the list of timeless fashion items emerged as the classic Levi 501s, with Dr Martens boots stomping in at number three, and the ubiquitous yet stylish denim jacket at number four.
The research, into British women’s attitudes to fashion, found skinny jeans, bell bottoms, pencil skirts and knee-high boots made it into the top ten most iconic items list.
The enduring nature of many of the top fashion trends over the past 50 years is backed up the survey’s findings, with 91 percent of the women polled claiming following fashion is not the same as being stylish.
The study of 2,000 women commissioned by European fashion retailer Peter Hahn, also revealed that HALF of British women over the age of 50 believe they are still fashionable.
A further 50 percent of the women polled believe fashion rules have completely changed in recent years, with nearly one in five (19 percent) claiming fashion for the over 50s is now much sexier and more alluring.
These shifting fashion goalposts mean 78 percent of women confess they don’t feel pressured to dress “conservatively”, with 72 percent saying they regularly wear denim, and 68 percent believing it’s fine to keep hair long into your 50s.
The study also found over-50s claim they are confident with their fashion sense because they no longer dress for other people (30 percent), they simply don’t care about what other people think (29 percent), while 26 percent say they now know how to dress for their age.
One in five said they now have more disposable income to spend on looking good, and another 20 percent said they have come to terms with their body imperfections and know how to hide and flatter them with carefully chosen clothes.
“This research proves that there’s no reason why the over-50s can’t stay in style,” says a spokesperson from Peter Hahn. “We know that women today in their 40s and 50s seek out fashionable clothing and are aware of what looks good. Peter Hahn customers are able to be both fashionable and stylish, aswe celebrate the older lady through beautiful, on-trendclothing in well-cut, quality fabrics and are proud to bring European style to women across the UK.”
95 percent of the women polled said fashion for over 50s had changed dramatically over the last 50 years, with 74 percent saying it was more liberating and empowering, while 32 percent said it was more daring.
Only 6 percent thought that fashion was not a force for empowerment, while 68 percent said it had changed their social lives, 26 percent said it had affected their careers for the better and 8 percent said it had given them more confidence in the bedroom.
And despite feeling stylish now, 73 percent of respondents said they look back and cringe at some of the things they used to wear.
The majority of women (30 percent) thought the 60s was the best decade for fashion, followed by the 70s and the 50s.
TOP 50 ICONIC FEMALE FASHION ITEMS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS
1. The Miniskirt – 55 percent
2. Levis 501s – 42 percent
3. Dr Martens – 37 percent
4. Denim jacket – 34 percent
5. Knee-high boots – 33 percent
6. Pencil skirt – 30 percent
7. Maxi dress – 28 percent
8. Skinny jeans – 27 percent
9. Black leather biker jacket – 24 percent
10. Bell-bottom jeans – 24 percent
11. Stone-wash denim jeans – 24 percent
12. Wedges – 22 percent
13. Parka – 22 percent
14. Boot cut jeans – 21 percent
15. Black stilettos – 20 percent
16. LBD – 20 percent
17. Shift dress – 20 percent
18. Trench coat – 19 percent
19. UGGS – 19 percent
20. Ray-ban aviators – 19 percent
21. White T-shirt – 18 percent
22. Chelsea boots – 17 percent
23. The flip-flop – 17 percent
24. Hoop earrings – 16 percent
25. Boob tube – 15 percent
26. White shirt – 15 percent
27. Jump suit – 15 percent
28. Fishnet stockings – 14 percent
29. Barbour jacket – 14 percent
30. Halter neck top – 14 percent
31. Converse All Stars – 14 percent
32. Ra-rah skirt – 12 percent
33. Black leather trousers – 12 percent
34. Channel tweed suit – 11 percent
35. Hunter wellies – 11 percent
36. Cut-off denim shorts – 11 percent
37. Bardot top – 11 percent
38. Navy blazer – 11 percent
39. Wrap dresses – 9 percent
40. Red stilettos – 9 percent
41. Loafers – 9 percent
42. Burberry scarf – 8 percent
43. High top trainers – 7 percent
44. Black tuxedo – 7 percent
45. Puffball skirt – 6 percent
46. Beret – 4 percent
47. Leopard print flats – 4 percent
48. Cricket jumper – 3 percent
49. Romper suit – 2 percent
50. Bandage dress – 2 percent