Iconic clothing or accessories for twentieth century...
October 7, 2012 4:29 PM   Subscribe

I've got to come up with 10 or more simple things (accessories, clothing, etc.) that are indicative of each decade from 1910 thru 2010. Can you help?

Imagine ten photographs of people, each with something that would quickly or obviously represent the era in which they're in from 1910 thru 2010. So, a walkman could be 80s, an iPod 2000s, a casio digital watch or mood ring could mean 70s, bellbottoms could be 60s, varsity sweater could be 50s, sleeve tattoos could be 90s, etc.

Each of the things would need to be worn or carried by someone who would be working backstage at a theatre, though the item is not part of their job. I'm specifying this so that people don't suggest cars or things that can't be worn or carried easily.

Suggestions? If you've got links to photos of something specific that might not be known by its name that would also be helpful.

Gender is irrelevant.

Thanks!
posted by dobbs to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (25 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Is this for a written list, or are you looking for something that you'll be trying to track down actual photos for? What's the intended end use of this set of things?
posted by ellF at 4:48 PM on October 7, 2012


Response by poster: Yeah, I have to track them down or have them made. They're for a film.
posted by dobbs at 4:53 PM on October 7, 2012


Women's fashion in the 80-90's...Huge shoulder pads.
posted by JujuB at 4:54 PM on October 7, 2012


1920s: Raccoon coat.
posted by trip and a half at 4:59 PM on October 7, 2012


The so-called "peace" sign in one form or another would represent the 60s.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:03 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


1920s: women's cigarette holder
posted by thewestinggame at 5:06 PM on October 7, 2012


1920s: costume jewelry (esp. long necklaces), headbands (with a feather), cloches, feathered handbags, drop-waist dresses. flannel pants for men...

1930s: fur collars, gloves, turbans, colorful blazers for men...

1940s: victory rolls, bright matte lipstick, zoot suit...

1950s: suspenders, pompadours, cigarettes in sleeve, hawaiian print...

1960s: miniskirt, tiedie, peace sign jewelry, john lennon glasses...

1970s: floppy sun hat, paisley everything, velvet...

1980s: black leather jacket or vest (preferably with studs or even fringe), neon...
posted by luxperpetua at 5:06 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


Tie-dye anything and/or macrame = 60s/70s.
posted by trip and a half at 5:07 PM on October 7, 2012


1940's style men's fedora hat

1910 possibly top hat, bowler, or pocket watch
posted by artdrectr at 5:08 PM on October 7, 2012


Try the tag list on historicalfashion.tumblr.com for inspiration.
posted by Mizu at 5:09 PM on October 7, 2012


50s: Poodle skirt. 60s: Pillbox hat/Chanel suit.
posted by trip and a half at 5:16 PM on October 7, 2012


Does the age of the wearer matter?
posted by radioamy at 5:16 PM on October 7, 2012


Response by poster: radioamy, no, except no children. I'd say 16 or older.

Thanks for the answers so far, folks.
posted by dobbs at 5:23 PM on October 7, 2012


1910s: Gibson Girl hair, maybe a Titanic boarding pass?
1920s: cloche hat, flapper dress, those old bathing suits, a copy of The Waste Land
1930s: art deco jewellery (though could also be '20s), Wizard of Oz costume?
1940s: Rosie the Riveter get-up, zoot suit
1950s: Chanel suit, poodle skirt, cat eye glasses
1960s: Twiggy-style miniskirt, NASA logo, Mondrian dress, etch-a-sketch
1970s: anything disco (like a pantsuit), platform shoes
1980s: high-cut leotards, neon, Garfield doll with suction cups, Air Jordans
80s/90s: Guess? jeans with the red triangle logo
1990s: grunge / Nirvana tee, "Rachel" haircut, Game Boy, floral dress w/t-shirt
2000s: Motorola Razr, Juicy velour tracksuit, Livestrong wristband
2010s: iPad
posted by paperback version at 5:30 PM on October 7, 2012 [2 favorites]


1990's: cheesy rap-- like Vanilla Ice/Hammer pants, slap bracelets, walkman
2000's: big original ipod, myspace, ugg boots
2010's: iphones, facebook, skinny jeans
posted by shortyJBot at 5:31 PM on October 7, 2012


80s (it really started in the 70s, but): Designer jeans. I recommend Jordache -- they started it.
posted by trip and a half at 5:37 PM on October 7, 2012


1910s: Something in seersucker
1920s: Flapper dress
1930s: Hat of some kind, or a fur
1940s: One-piece foundation garment or nylons
1950s: Grey flannel suit
1960s: Miniskirt
1970s: Bell bottoms
1980s: Powersuit with gigantic shoulderpads or Air Jordans
1990s: Flannel shirt
2000s: Hoodie
2010s: Skinny jeans
posted by The Master and Margarita Mix at 5:39 PM on October 7, 2012


1990s: plaid flannel shirts, overalls (often with only one shoulder strap on), cd player/discman, baggy clothing, belly shirts, bandannas, vests, skateboards, jeans with a tapered leg with holes in them, dark lip liner, flip-up sunglasses, girls wearing ties
posted by raztaj at 5:40 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


1990s: plaid flannel shirts, overalls (often with only one shoulder strap on), cd player/discman, baggy clothing, belly shirts, bandannas, vests, skateboards, jeans with a tapered leg with holes in them, dark lip liner, flip-up sunglasses, girls wearing ties

Don't forget the guys had ponytails.
posted by trip and a half at 6:00 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


2000s: khakis, uggs, messenger bags, ipods, roller suitcases, huge sunglasses, bumpits, long necklaces and chains, gaucho pants, capri pants, popped collars, crocs, cargo pants, puffer jackets, trucker hats

2010's: reusable bags/totes, thick eyebrows, neon sunglasses, iphones and ipads, cardigans, "nerd" glasses, Toms shoes, leggings, fedoras, fake eyelashes, rubber rain boots, yoga pants
posted by raztaj at 6:00 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


80s - Jelly shoes or jelly bracelets, lace gloves without fingers, neon clothing

You might also try "19xx fashion magazine" in google images.
posted by NoraCharles at 6:10 PM on October 7, 2012


Lots of this list has already been compiled. Google "fashion decades."
posted by rhizome at 6:22 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


1910s: Empire-waist dresses on women and celluloid collars on men.
posted by scratch at 8:03 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


1970s: POW/MIA bracelets, Afro hairstyle, rise of the Master Card
1960s: polyester pants (plaid), Nehru jacket, portable transistor radio, anti-war signs ("war is not healthy for children and other living things")("make love, not war), long hair for both genders, skateboards
1950s: bullet bra, saddle oxfords with bobby socks, 45 records, poodle skirt, magic 8 ball, Elvis,
poodle skirt, shirtwaist dresses, aprons
1940s: seamed silk stockings, big band music
posted by aryma at 8:54 PM on October 7, 2012


Mink stole: 50s/early 60s.
posted by trip and a half at 10:59 PM on October 7, 2012


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