Radical Rags: Fashions of the Sixties

I've had this book for six years now, and am always referring back to it. I have hundreds of Sixties fashion books, but none of them have the information or rare and beautiful photographs that this book contains. Most of my other books have the same photos by the same photographers, and always of the same people, such as Twiggy, Mary Quant, Lulu, and such. It's as if they have forgotten about so many other people who were on the scene at that time, but "Radical Rags" delves deeper. Where else can you find a photo of Donyale Luna wearing a waffle jumpsuit by Andres Courreges? Buy it if you can - you won't regret it!

I bought this book when it was originally published and have loved it. It is tons of fun to look at, and the text is amazingly informative. I believe that studying the fashions of a period tell you as much as anything else about it - and this book definitely does that job as well as providing a delightful read. there's much information about famous icons of the time, like Janis Joplin, whose clothing was a whole fashion statement in itself, designed by her friend, Linda Gravenita. I strongly recommend this to anyone with an interest in clothing, the early days of the hippie movement, and rock music when it was full of soul and more of a grass roots movement. One thing I think is interesting is that the "radical rags" referred to are actually from the very late 60s - 67 - 69. Early to mid-60s were still skirts and blouses for the girls and pressed chinos with ironed, button front shirts for the guys - and a tie and polished shoes for any but the absolutely most casual occasions. The explosion of creative clothing came with a bang to some places - San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other specific locations - and only gradually became real fashion in the rest of the U.S. and world.

This book, Radical Rags, is a wonderful book full of pictures and stories of the designer. Have you ever seen a Worm outfit? Or what about where the keyhole t-shirt originated from? A lot happened in Sixties and how people dressed showed that this was going to be a time of differences. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

It is too bad that this wonderfully written & breezy overview of 1960's fashion is out of print. As a dealer in vintage clothing I find myself constantly referring to this invaluable text. London, New York, Los Angeles, author Lobenthal covers all the period hot spots, and generously lards each chapter with quotes from the fashion movers & shakers of the time. The book is nicely illustrated too. Let's get this fine book back in print!