Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

I am writing a book about a girl that grew up in the late 1960's. She is going to be the first girl in her school to wear the miniskirt, but I don't know the exact year that style came out. Can you help me?

Thanks, Angelica

Dear Angelica,

Sure, baby! You are writing about a swinging era of fashion history! The "mod" movement was a major fashion revolution. Skirts began to rise around 1963, but it wasn't until 1966 that the true miniskirt really took off. It all began in London - the heart of the Swinging Sixties. Within months, the miniskirt craze spread through Europe and then on to the United States. Designers Mary Quant and Andre Courreges both claim to have created the miniskirt.

In 1967, the mini shortened even more and evolved into the tiny "micro-mini" skirt, a narrow strip of material that barely covered the bottom. With all the attention on legs, stockings and pantyhose became all the rage. Legs were covered in bright colors, textures, and "mad patterns." Some other major fashion items you might want to dress your character in are the super long maxi-coat, knee and thigh-high boots, plastic and vinyl clothes, and anything with pop art designs.

The major controversy created by the launch of the miniskirt is a fascinating story in itself. There was even a genuine "British Society for the Preservation of the Mini Skirt" formed! An interesting historical tidbit you might want to add to your story is the society's demonstration in 1966 outside of Christian Dior. The ultra-mod miniskirt enthusiasts marched with banners that said "Mini Skirts Forever" and "Support the Mini" to protest Dior's new collection of long coats and dresses.

Hope this helps with your research! Good luck with your groovy book!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl