Everyday Fashions of the Sixties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs

The decade-by-decade images from all the books in this series are, IMHO, required references for those interested in fashion and costume design in the 20th century.

This wonderful book provides a nostagic trip back to the 1960's, but more than just invoking fond memories, provides a glimpse of that changing decade through fashion. The early 60's ushered in mink stoles for $500.00, lady-like gowns and proper high heels. Towards the end of the '60's fashion takes on a distinct change, reflecting that turbulent time in the U.S. Gone are the wasp-waist dresses, and in come the "hippie" styles of striped bell-bottom pants for both sexes, mini-dresses and go-go boots modeled by Twiggy look-alikes. And the prices! A gorgeous pair of colorful leather flats were about $6.00, leather boots sold for $14.00. Of course, some of the styles are positively heinous according to current standards, but many have stood the test of time and would not seem out of place today. I love to scour old styles when I design my own clothes, and if you are a fashion designer or just love clothes, this is a wonderful reference guide.

This is a wonderful resource for costume designers. It has a great overview of sixties fashion.

Boy am I showing my age but I do remember wearing some of these fashions, or wishing I could have worn them, and I loved reading this book. A real trip down memory lane.

There's often a difference between how we imagine or remember the Sixties & how they really were. I remember that they looked more like what's in this book: Jackie Kennedy, Patty Duke, Leslie Gore, Carnaby Street & San Francisco filtered through Sears & delivered to middle class America. It all got pretty silly toward the end of the decade. But something important was happening in women's fashions. Clothes became more comfortable & hair styles more simple, if that's what one chose. But the choice was there. That transition is captured by these amusing & thought-provoking catalogue pages. It's a wonderful book for crafters of costumes & doll clothing, art students, pop sociologists & anyone who enjoys seeing how the times were a changin' through the mediums of clothing, hair, bust size & retail pricing. Very few color pix, though. Bob Rixon