By Johnna Pinholster•Photos by Paul Leavy
The iconic fashionistas of the sixties, Edie, Jackie O, Twiggy and even Janis Joplin were renowned in the unforgettable decade for their effortless sense of style—items that represented a cultural and psychological shift for America and the world.
Those items, beaded necklaces, the perfectly cut jacket, mini skirts, and huge sunglasses, are still fashion forward items for those searching for a chic look.
Variations on those sixties styles can be found locally in department stores and boutiques like Elli’s and 109 Central.
Susie Ellington from Elli’s and Jamie Pitts from 109 Central discuss some of the sixties fashions that have held their luster and how they can be worn in the present.
Ellington said the items she and co-owner Courtney Carter purchase for the store are chosen from companies that follow all the fashions being shown in New York and Paris.
Affordability and a close eye on what the people are buying in the boutique determine what is chosen for Elli’s, she said.
“We research, see what people are wearing and stay affordable,” Ellington said.
Pitts has a simple mantra for deciding what pieces are brought in to 109 Central.
“I have to love it,” Pitts said. “If I don’t love it, I don’t buy it. I’m not going to buy it just because it’s a trend.”
The key is to know the customer base coming to the boutique, she said.
Pitts said she is also honest about what will flatter shapes of all sizes when someone comes in.
“I’m going to tell you we can do better,” she said.
Both boutiques have a wide range of clothes and accessories that take-off from the iconic pieces of the sixties.
Rocker-Ts
Preferably worn faded and with denim jeans and the moccasins or boots, the rock concert t-shirt from any decade can bring back a sixties feel with a present twist. Grateful Dead tanks, with the skull logo and 1967 sewn across the back can be found at Elli’s.
Tunics
From pucci prints, to Indian intonations tunics are everywhere. Pair them with bare legs as the temperatures stay warm well into October. When the weather begins to cool, put some leggings or tights on and flat heeled calf boots or moccasins, Ellington said.
Maxi Dress
The last spring and summer maxi dresses were everywhere in all shapes, sizes and prints. To wear into fall, Ellington suggests pairing them with a denim jacket or blazer and boots or moccasins.
Block Prints and Stripes
Mod patterns from the early sixties are on dresses and tops. Black patterns, vertical and horizontal stripes should be chosen to flatter one’s shape, not to fit the trend. Color blocks were big in the sixties, Pitts said.
Mini Dress/Skirts
Lots of leg can be shown during the winter if paired with black tights or bright colored leggings and knee boots.
