Retro styles dominate, including floral dresses

▶From left: Ferragamo knitwear and bell-bottom pants worn by Korean biracial model Chanel Iman, colorful bangles by Just Cavalli, a ruffled dress by Blumarine, and an Indian-inspired shirt and pants by Prada.

“Little House on the Prairie” was recreated at Milan Fashion Week in Italy (Spring/Summer 2008). “Little House on the Prairie” was broadcast in the United States beginning in 1974 and was introduced in Korea in the late 1970s, remaining popular through the 1980s. Girls in the quiet countryside ran through the fields wearing floral dresses adorned with plenty of frills (gathered fabric attached to necklines, hems, or cuffs for decoration).

The runways at Milan Fashion Week, held from the 22nd to the 29th of last month, were filled with 1970s-style girls wearing dresses covered in colorful floral patterns. Bell-bottom pants, a staple among 1970s hippies who loved nature and freedom, also graced the runway. We took a closer look at how “fashion from 30 years ago” was reinterpreted for the 21st century.

▷ ‘Bell-bottom pants’ are making a comeback

Next spring and summer, anyone who wants to be considered stylish may need to add at least one floral-print item to their wardrobe.

Many designers, including D&G, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada, Moschino, Blumarine, and Roberto Cavalli, presented designs featuring floral motifs. While Blumarine and D&G created bright and cheerful moods, Gucci emphasized elegance, and Prada produced a dreamlike, fantastical atmosphere. Dolce & Gabbana used dress fabric as a canvas on which to paint beautiful flowers.

Wide-legged “bell-bottom pants,” popular in the 1970s, also signaled an upcoming trend. Skinny pants, which had received enthusiastic support in recent years, were difficult to find. Prada’s bell-bottom pants were so wide below the calves that they almost looked like skirts. Ferragamo, Dsquared, and Marni also joined the bell-bottom trend. While Marni, a favorite among young women, emphasized cuteness and simplicity with vivid primary colors, Ferragamo highlighted femininity. The focus was on expressing soft, flowing fabrics.

▷ Welcome back, the 1970s!

Floral patterns symbolize nature. To hippies in the 1970s, they represented “peace.” Bell-bottom pants are also part of the hippie style.

A pile of black-and-white TV sets was installed behind the runway at D&G’s fashion show, which featured the most colorful floral patterns. Fashion critic Nicole Phelps said, “It is clear that the designers drew inspiration from hippie culture.” Kang Myung-ran, team leader at the Shinsegae Fashion Research Institute, also explained, “Bell-bottom pants, which gained popularity in the 1940s, were also loved by hippies in the 1970s.”

Why has hippie fashion suddenly returned? Experts point to the similarities between hippies, who pursued freedom, and today’s society, which places importance on spiritual values. The Samsung Fashion Research Institute recently released a report analyzing the revival of 1970s styles. The report stated, “The retro trend in fashion is rooted in hippie culture,” adding, “In particular, ‘Bobos,’ a new upper class seeking both wealth and spiritual fulfillment, and the recently emerging ‘YAWNs’ (young wealthy individuals who generously invest in charitable causes) pursue the free spirit of the hippies.” Most garments presented in international collections also target these “young wealthy people” as their primary customers.

Many designers paired bangles made of various materials with swimsuits and sleeveless minidresses (Just Cavalli). Many brands, including Gucci and Etro, presented shoes featuring straps.

▷ Shoes become more natural, too

Many changes were also introduced in accessories. The most noticeable items were bangles, a type of ring-shaped ornament. They were presented almost as essential accessories for spring and summer outfits that expose the arms. Some models wore as many as 10 on one arm. Shoe heels became lower, creating a more natural look than before. For example, dramatically high heels measuring as much as 20㎝ and bulky-looking chunky heels disappeared, while heel heights were lowered to around 10–15㎝.

Many very low-heeled strappy shoes were also presented. The styles ranged widely, from Etro’s Roman soldier-inspired designs to D&G’s “flip-flops” (sandals worn with a strap between the big toe and second toe).