Today, I skip forward a decade from the 50s to the 60s. I love the 60s and I do think that a lot of 60s style (culture & ideals as a whole) is still apparent in modern times. Jean Shrimpton a.k.a. The Shrimp, was one model/actress who epitomises (along with Twiggy and Veruschka of course) "swinging London" due to her waif-like features, which were popular at the time.
A little bio...
Jean Shrimpton was born in Buckinghamshire, England in 1942. She started modelling in 1960, when she attended Lucie Clayton’s Modeling School and first appeared in Vogue in 1962. Her career continued through the 60s, reaching the top when she was cover girl for Yardley Cosmetics.Shrimpton caused a massive stir in 1965 when she appeared at the Victoria race in Melbourne, wearing a white shift mini-dress (according to good ol' wiki, it was 10cm/3.9" above her knees), a man's watch, no hat, tights/stockings or gloves. In the modern climate where celebrities are willing to flash their knickers (or lack of) this probably seems quite tame, but you've got to remember that this was just the beginning of creeping hemlines and so, what she was wearing was rather racy for the time and place!
"The day of the races was a hot one, so I didn’t bother to wear any stockings. My legs were still brown from the summer, and as the dress was short it was hardly formal. I had no hat or gloves with me, for the very good reason that I owned neither. I went downstairs cheerfully from my hotel room, all regardless of what was to come." - Jean Shrimpton (via Bygone Fashion)Her modelling antics continued through the 60s, but dwindled toward the end when she retired in 1972. According to the info on Bygone, she has run an antique shop and currently owns a hotel in Penzance, England (in Cornwall I believe that is).
Picture-time...
Just a few of my favourites! Picked specifically because I happen to love the outfit and photograph. There are loads on that Bygone Fashion page if you fancy getting a bit more Shrimp-spiration (see what I did there?! haha, that was awful!)
The dolls are a little bit creepy, but in some ways, I think that's what makes this first photo so great! Maybe it's also because I really love the combo of grey pleated skirt, white shirt and black flats... // I quite like the dress in this second photograph. White is a colour which I'd be apprehensive wearing in a dress (or skirt or trouser) but it just looks lovely here.
I have this picture on my "inspiration notice board" in my room, not a big fan of the shoes in this one (personal preference of course) but I love her dress and her coat! The man watch on her wrist is also quite darling. // I just love this second photo because the perspective is wonderful, the outfit is of course nice and it's just so delightful! It strikes me as a very tongue-in-cheek thing to do - dancing on cars - and sums up 60s rebellion very simply.
These four I picked specifically because I loved each outfit! Certainly the first 2 and the last one strike me as incredibly modern in a weird way. I guess I just mean, it'd be incredibly easy to get away with the entire ensemble without looking dated or old-fashioned. Yet at the same time, you would scream "vintage" because you'd look so very 60s! I also really love the 3rd one because it is just such a lovely suit! I am a sucker for a nice suit though...
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Do you see what I mean by 60s style, at least some of the examples shown on the lovely Jean Shrimpton, is really quite relevant to today? I'm now feeling really inspired to don some heavy eye make-up and prance about in a beautifully collared white shirt (with some attractive buttons) coupled with either a shift dress or a pleated skirt... how about you?
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