Why do you think Quant’s fashions were such a hit among the youth of the era?
THey were different and daring and fun. I loved them as a teenager. My mother hated them but (since she made most of my clothes) agreed to allow somewhat modified versions of the m to leave the house on my body.
I think a large part of it was the strong desire to change things up. That was a time of significant cultural upheaval due to recovery after the wars. The older generations seemed to want to try to return to how things were prior to the war, whereas younger people were desperate to change the world. And fashion was one area where they probably felt like they could really change things without too much risk.
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As a Mary Quant consumer (thanks,Dad!) I can vouch for how the clothes made me feel:sensational! The long stockings with lacy garter belt, the totally different look and materials, and the short, short length made people ask where I got it and all my friends wanted to borrow them.
I agree with Linda. Fashion was, and still is, a way for young people to express themselves without causing too much upheaval. Maybe upheaval at home, but not out in the world. It was a daring time, as we read, the Beatles were doing their thing and the world was changing.
Her fashions were edgy and new and colorful and so different from what seemed to be the stodgy fashions most women wore. You can tell how women were able to reveal themselves in ways they couldn’t do so with older dull clothing.
I loved them. I often spent my weekly paycheck for one of them. I was intrigued with the mix of textures and colors she presented. And when the styles got shorter and shorter, I was delighted much to my father’s critical eye.
Mary’s designs were colorful and unique-very different from how most parents dressed. I graduated from high school in 1969 and headed off to college that fall. I remember my mom bought me some dresses and she never knew I shortened the hems to be “cool”.
One reason is because they were so youthful and vibrant. England had just concluded YEARS of rationing after WWII. People were ready for something new and cheerful. Many of the young people embracng MQ designs had never lived under anything but rationing. Even Princess Elizabeth had to abide by rationaing rules for her wedding gown.
I think because the youth back then we’re finding their own values, fashion than their parents. They wanted to be their own person, to grow and stretch who they could become. And Mary Quant seemed to know and feel the same way. The younger generation flocked to her because they felt she represented them
They were fun, different and not what their parent’s generation wanted. Fashion is often attached to the youth. It is an easy way to express yourself while also being similar to your group of friends.
Add in the vibrant colors, new patterns and interesting materials, and it was a winner.
We were very into the Beatles and all things British. Her clothes reflected that vibe. We also loved the mini skirts and the freedom her style represented.
The uniqueness of Quant’s fashion was unmatchable. She had an eye for the new and took traditional patterns at times to put them into a new sort of fad for the times.
I remember seeing Mary Quant’s fashions as bright, colorful, and fun to wear. I am not sure that I had any actual Mary Quant items - but her creative spirit impacted what I did buy and wear.
Her designs were daring and a big departure from what the women of the 1940’s and 1950’s wore. Babyboomers came of age in the 60’s, especially the late 60’s and Mary Quant’s clothes were just the thing to show some rebellion and movement away from what we thought were the more staid views of our parents.
The clothes were different! They were much more colorful and daring than what our mothers wore. And Teens goals are to be different than their parents. And if they didn’t like the style, all the better! No one had ever seen clothes like these! And we never learned the source of Mary’s inspiration. Was it to be shocking? Different? To thumb her nose at traditional women’s clothes??
Young women were eager for something different in their clothing. Mary Quant changed the world of fashion in the 60’s. She saw a need & filled it.
Her styles were colorful, dresses were shorter& the addition of colorful tights & berets was revolutionary.
Up until fashion changed in the 60s, girls dressed in the same kind of dresses as their mothers. It was exciting to find a new way to dress that was definitely for your people. Plus it was really great when your mom didn’t approve of the new fashions – we were all a bit rebellious then.