Fashion in the USSR is quietly, but confidently returning to modern trends. Sophisticated silhouettes, hidden sexuality and colorful colors - all this again captivates domestic designers. Well, a great time to be inspired by the fashion of the 80s, delve into the very beginnings and arrange fresh Soviet outfits in a modern way.
Post-revolutionary and pre-war trends
For the first time after the October Revolution of 1917, a unisex made itself known. Girls of that century needed to work efficiently and move quickly, and in the toilets of nobles or bourgeois it was very difficult to do. Fashion in the USSR just took into account the moment of comfort, which was why it was necessary to create a universal suit for a typical Soviet person.
So, the standard image was:
- top - an ordinary shirt without any decorative elements;
- bottom - a straight skirt without pleats or cuts.
Often the highlight was an aviation leather jacket and matching caps. The tunic and leather belt (both for women and men) were a must-have.
In parallel with equality in clothing, the Nepman style was preached. This trend borrowed a low-waist shirt dress from the French. Until the thirties, the little thing was in great demand. Girls diluted the outfit with long beads and smoking pipes.
The 30s were marked by the release of quality fabrics at affordable prices: satin, silk, crepe de chine and chintz. The first association with this period was a small crepe de chine dress with a small floral print.
Fashion in the USSR during the forties kept pace with European trends, and it felt the preceding dangers, tragedies. Romantic blouses with sleeves-lanterns and airy dresses were combined with a military theme, namely with epaulets, pleats on the back and wide belts.
Post-war period
During the war, the Second World War did not particularly focus on fashion trends. But after the Victory, fashion in the USSR acquired a new timeless trend - a harmonious combination of delicate feminine details with rude wardrobe elements. For example, a silk skirt with a soft blouse and a man's jacket (button-down jacket) was on every self-respecting girl.
Everything remained on the same wave until one event - the first foreign show in Moscow of the Dior fashion house. With this came a new bow to the USSR, which every Soviet fashion magazine ridiculed. The main features of this trend were:
- lack of underlay hanger;
- adjoining bodice with a raised bust;
- eye-catching waist.
Such parameters required the Soviet woman not only productivity at work, but also grace during rest. Now the versatile wardrobe was diversified with skirts, stockings, bras, high-heeled shoes and many accessories.
The rampage of the palette was made by farmers and their clients - dudes. Young people wore bright fashionable clothes from foreign stores. They could be easily recognized by trousers-pipes, jackets with broad shoulders, herring ties and cane umbrellas. Girls highlighted their hips thanks to narrow pencil skirts.
Thaw
One of the pioneering gizmos was a miniskirt. Yes, yes, in strict times, and she found herself a use. At first, the government and the old generation took such a sway with hostility. It came to measuring the length before the lessons: if the skirt is even a centimeter shorter than allowed, you could safely go to change clothes and retake the passes. Later, people nevertheless resigned themselves and were normal towards open female legs.
The sixties brought the legendary stilettos. The most successful bow - a narrow skirt, turtleneck and boats in a black palette - aroused interest and a desire to open a riddle hidden in such a successful way.
Silk dresses were replaced by nylon and vinyl fabrics, which successfully took root in the creation of men's shirts and women's blouses (immediately there is an association with school graduations and unnaturally huge suits).
Stagnation and restructuring in fashion trends
The fashion of the 70s of the USSR, first of all, is associated with denim (and with what else?). Then the townspeople sought to buy all the jeans from the farmers. And if it was still flared pants ... Flared jeans were considered an indicator of a fashionable and self-respecting girl.
Actor Goiko Mitich and his famous westerns reflected in the female style. Now cowboy motifs have conquered fashion magazines. Woolen skirts in a wide plaid, long satin skirts with beautiful flounces and small flowers were the first in the list of fashionable purchases (after all, you need to go on a cherished date for something). The finishing touch was a sheepskin coat with natural fur trim.
The hairpins went far into oblivion (pantry). In their place came shoes on the platform. Metal decorations and puffy boots were welcome.
The fashion of the 80s became the full correspondence of the period of stagnation in the economy and in public life. Bright colors and contrasting finishes faded into the background, now moderation was appreciated. Midi-length skirts and dresses, banana trousers and wide-shouldered jackets represented the decade.
The main thing is proper installation
USSR hairstyles are second to none. Modern curls and perfectly straight hair in those days could not surprise anyone. Now we will focus not on chemistry, but on the styling of Jacques Dessange, who adorned the incredible actress of the last century - Bridget Bardot.
The hairstyle in question is babette. The girls who watched the film “Babette Goes to War” were inspired by the image of the main character and began to repeat manipulations with hair. Honestly, not everyone managed to convey all the charm and beauty of this hairstyle, but still it was necessary to follow the trends.
Denim - Around the Head
What, what, and denim will really be eternal. The development of Soviet socialism cannot do without jeans in all their variations. You can even say that with this material you can study the history of the USSR: by analyzing the prices of various models, determining the economic condition of the country, evaluating the struggle against this trend (since it deviated from the universally accepted image of the Soviet person), and revealing the features of the Criminal Code.
Different color schemes, textile quality and an infinite number of variations lured people and made them buy even more jeans (for the whole family).
Well, it’s probably worth it to thank the youth that at the student festival in 1957 I changed bored earflaps and strict skirts for free and such someone else’s denim.
In sports with leggings
In the Soviet Union, the fashion for colorful leggings began because of the American actress and fitness trainer - Jane Fonda. Her videotapes with their own lessons and aerobics classes have flooded the world market and even the socialist camp. The young women immediately praised the workouts themselves and the cool leggings.
Over time, the most active and successful citizens themselves entered television with a self-compiled sports program. What was a symbol of perestroika.
So, leggings were no longer tied to sports. The described accessories became mandatory when visiting discos! Bright and noticeable color, striped pattern and pumped up legs guaranteed close attention from the strong half of humanity.
Faux fur
Now everyone will be surprised, because the trend for environmentally friendly materials and the fight against animal killing only gained momentum in 2017. But no, the people of the USSR were adventurous and took care of their smaller brothers in the last century.
In the early sixties the era of faux fur began. Fur coats made of synthetic materials attracted designers and were very popular among all walks of life. Even those who could calmly purchase natural furs gave money for their substitutes.
It is worth noting that such things were not at all practical. The fur coats did not withstand the Soviet winters and did not retain heat. And as soon as manufacturers corrected these shortcomings, the trend went out of fashion.
Raincoats
Bologna’s cloak is a small dream of a true connoisseur of the style of modernity and the times of the USSR. The thing owes its glory to the charming French actor Alain Delon. Firstly, this man became a sex symbol of Soviet women; secondly, his style was inherited by all who were not lazy.
The guys focused on raincoats made of synthetic fabrics, which were created from kapron with water-repellent properties. This topic was supported by many ateliers and even officials who managed to start production at local factories.
In the late seventies, girls also liked raincoats. This is very simply explained by the practicality and aesthetics of the little thing. The raincoat could be combined with sweatpants and sneakers. Or create a feminine image, emphasizing mystery and sexuality with the help of stocking boots in the USSR.
Body shirt
The shirt shirt appeared in the fifties and became a real hit only in the seventies. This is a simple blouse with a delayed collar, which can now be seen on all people. At first, only office employees and officials loved her, looking at the simplicity of design and the uniformity of textiles.
Already during the thaw and perestroika, batch files began to decorate floral prints, vertical lines, pockets and other decorative elements. The element of outerwear looked very impressive with fluffy skirts, which emphasized the waist line, and with jeans, which was very comfortable and versatile.
Flare for prominent legs
Flared pants are one of the wonderful examples of fashion insanity in the USSR. Flared pants came into the country along with music and video clips of the legendary British Beatles band. The supernatural enthusiasm for their music went unnoticed, but the style of the famous quartet “flickered” for a long time among the inhabitants of the USSR.
Flared pants were worn without exception. The flare was very different: from the hip, from the knee or from the ankle. Different lengths and variety of textures made it possible to wear pants with and without a reason: to the office, on a date, for a walk and even to school. By the way, it was in educational institutions that teachers and commandants checked the permissible width of the flare (about 31 centimeters).
Now it is noticeable that the fashion of the USSR is returning, and not in single details, but in a comprehensive manner. With all the jeans, coarse jackets and socks. So, if an old couple of your favorite flared trousers is lying around in your wardrobe, then it's time to get them out, add freshness to your pants with the help of trendy jewelry and a radiant smile.