Flares, patchwork and denim skirts: back to the '70s in women's fashion
Hippie chic and the 1970s are enjoying a revival and denim plays a starring role
You could almost smell the patchouli oil on the spring-summer 2015 women's catwalks of Milan and Paris as the designers came over all groovy and nostalgic about the 1970s. It is a rich decade to mine, but The Doors and Fleetwood Mac on the soundtracks set the mood, guaranteeing the free-spirited boho-hippie looks of the early '70s left the most lasting impression.
This was the era of peace, love and music, defined by rock festivals such as Woodstock in 1969 and the debut of Glastonbury. With it came the spread of hippie counterculture and a time when fashion became creative, artisanal and absolutely carefree. Kaftans, embroidered Afghan coats, hot pants and denim flares defined the look then, and are clearly a source of inspiration for designers now. Gucci, Sonia Rykiel and Chloé have plundered the era for their spring collections this season, in stores now.
Nevertheless, the strongest trend to emerge among the white lace peasant blouses at Chloé, the fringed knits at Sonia Rykiel, the tailored suedes at Gucci and the wafting Navajo prints at Etro, was the denim.
This is going to be a big year for denim. A patchwork denim jacket with a tiered indigo dyed skirt hit the catwalk at Etro; denim dungarees, A-line three-quarter-length skirts and beaded chambray shirts at Sonia Rykiel; while Gucci tailored denim dresses and sailor-style jeans - all garments that had their roots in that period.