Hopping in the fashion Time Machine: the Mancunion celebrates decades of glamour

To celebrate The Mancunion’s 60th print issue, Fashion and Beauty have decided to hop into the fashion time machine and revisit our favourite decades of style from the swinging sixties to the tacky 2010s. Get ready for some serious nostalgia…

Poppy visits the Swinging Sixties

Ah the 60s, Beatlemania is sweeping the globe, man is about to land on the moon, and Spag Bol was still considered a ‘fashionable’ dish. When we think of fashion in the 60s (sans-spaghetti), the mind instantly draws a map to Carnaby Street: the hub of swinging London. Regulars of Carnaby Street included the Fab Four, the Stones, the Kinks and the Who to name a few, all donning eclectic ensembles to match their eclectic vibes.

In my opinion, the epitome of the glamour and chicness of the 60s comes in the form of Sharon Tate.  Tate is, unfortunately, most famously known for her gruesome murder at the hands of the Manson family, but was an aspiring actress on the cusp of super stardom before her tragic end in 1969, married to filmmaker Roman Polanski. And yet, Tate’s timeless style and beauty are what keep her on many Pinterest boards for fashion and beauty inspiration.

Sharon Tate often floated between London and LA, waltzing down Carnaby Street in a perfectly curated ensemble that simultaneously looked as though it took no effort at all. Tate was also a lover of bold eye looks paired with iconic 60s spider lashes (which in my opinion should make a resurgence). However, her sister Debra Tate noted in her book about her sister in Sharon Tate: Recollection, that Tate loved going makeup free more than anything, often wearing only Vaseline as her cosmetic of choice, and felt most herself in comfortable ensembles. Tate’s effortless style is enviable, so much so that her clothing was auctioned off by her sister Debra Tate recently for quite the hefty sum (her wedding dress sold for an impressive $56,000).

Many of us also owe our fashion-lives to Mary Quant, the pioneer of the mini skirt, something that the Fallowfield girls couldn’t live without. In 1966, Quant was named a ‘fashion revolutionary’ alongside the likes of Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent, and was appointed a Dame in 2015 for her services to British fashion. Women’s fashion today takes a lot of inspiration from the 60s, and we have to tip our hats to the founding fathers of fashion– Rabanne and Quant to name a few–for one of the most popular ‘going-out’ looks: a mini skirt and knee high boots.

Lucie electric slides into the Seventies

The 70s: disco balls illuminated the dance floors, Bowie took us on a space oddity, and fondue sets were considered the height of culinary sophistication (thank god they lost favour). When we think of 70s fashion (minus the melted cheese), we probably think of New York and Studio 54: the epicenter of glamour, hedonism, and some truly unforgettable ensembles. Studio 54 wasn’t just a nightclub; it was a runway for icons like Bianca Jagger, Grace Jones, and Halston-clad partygoers who oozed effortless chic.

For me, the crux of 70s glamour can be summed up in one icon: Cher. With her long, poker-straight hair, bold makeup, and shimmering Bob Mackie creations, Cher dominated the era with her boundary-pushing style. She wasn’t just a pop icon; she was a living, breathing fashion moment. Her sequined gowns and daring midriff-baring outfits are still cemented in the annals of fashion history and continue to inspire red-carpet looks.

But the 70s wasn’t just about disco glitz. Farrah Fawcett made waves as the poster girl for California cool with her feathered hair and high-waisted flares. Meanwhile, Jane Birkin epitomised bohemian chic with her breezy dresses and effortless accessorising—including the wicker basket that inspired one of fashion’s most coveted handbags, also known as the Hermes Birkin.

Let’s not forget the designers who defined the decade. Halston reigned supreme in the disco scene with his minimalist, slinky dresses, while Vivienne Westwood lit the punk fuse with tartan, leather, and a rebellious edge- styles that are still admired and worn today. From bell-bottoms to platforms, the fashion of the 70s was as diverse as it was daring. Whether you were a boho queen or a disco diva, this decade was all about making a statement—and for that, we tip our wide-brimmed hats.

Addie and Georgia get crazy in the Eighties

To set the scene, films like The Breakfast Club and Dirty Dancing first graced our screens in the 1980s. It’s a decade marked by its impact on pop culture, with the music industry booming and music videos becoming the norm with the first broadcast of MTV in 1981. The 80s saw the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, as well as the beginning of work on the World Wide Web, it truly was a decade of change.

“Power Dressing” was the desired look for women in the workplace with corporate career women becoming more and more aspirational, as the West ditched industry in favour of the stock market. Undoubtedly influenced by some of the female figures in powerful political positions like Margaret Thatcher and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the US Supreme Court. It was an era when women were finally breaking the glass ceiling and the shoulder pads were as high as the career ladders they were climbing. These angular suits, often featured bold colours and prints, like pinstripes and polka dots.

Meanwhile at the gym, women of the 80s would have been inspired by Jane Fonda’s workout videos. Exercising in style, the trends involved wearing head-to-toe lycra with high-leg leotards, and leg warmers to accessorise. It could be argued that athleisure was born in the 80s, and it was no longer uncommon to see women in clothes designed for comfort. Princess Diana donned a plethora of revolutionary looks that redefined the 1980s. Including her iconic oversized sweatshirt and cycling shorts athletic wear. Diana, the most photographed woman of the 80s, felt no shame in being papped in her sweats, taking them from her workout classes to the polo field seamlessly. To this day, comfortable chic is still a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, and the bike short is still going strong.

And, of course, we can’t ignore the wedding of the century: Diana and Charles in 1981. Diana adorned an incredibly lavish silk and taffeta gown designed by husband and wife team David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The gown was embroidered with an estimated 10,000 pearls and Mother of Pearl sequins, setting the standard for the dream wedding gown for eighties brides.

With MTV debuting in the same year, the way we consumed music radically changed, and so did clothing trends when singers decided they had the knack for acting. In 1985, Madonna put on her acting hat in Desperately Seeking Susan, and her thrifted eclecticism made her not only a music legend but a fashion one too, in part inspiring the neon boom of the eighties. Neon not only overwhelmed fashion trends but also beauty ones, eyes had to pop, and electric blue eyeliner was the way to do it…how else were you going to stand out in a sea of multi coloured blazers and perms?

Lily visits the Neo-Nineties

Enter the 90s—a time when boy bands ruled the airwaves, grunge was more than just a genre, and every teenager wanted The Rachel haircut. The 90s had its own new and eclectic hubs, from the streets of Seattle, where flannel reigned supreme, to the neon-lit warehouses hosting underground raves. This was a decade of contrasts: polished minimalism met chaotic maximalism, and pop princesses shared style space with alternative rockers.

Let’s talk icons. Kate Moss epitomized the “heroin chic” aesthetic, dominating the runways with her undone hair, bare skin, and effortlessly cool vibe. Meanwhile, Winona Ryder’s indie sensibility and love for thrift-store finds made her the unofficial queen of grunge. And who can forget Gwen Stefani? Her bold looks, which included brightly dyed hair and controversial cultural symbols like the bindi, sparked both admiration and conversation about appropriation—an issue that continues to shape how we approach fashion today. I think these icons weren’t just a reflection of the 90s—they drove its fashion forward, embodying a bold, experimental, and unapologetically individual spirit that defined the entire decade.

Speaking of grunge, the movement that gave us Nirvana and Pearl Jam also gifted us an entirely new wardrobe. Torn jeans, oversized flannels, band tees, and combat boots defined this anti-fashion moment. It was a rebellion against the excess of the 80s—a conscious decision to look as though you didn’t care, even if you spent hours perfecting that ‘just rolled out of bed’ look.

But it wasn’t all plaid and gloom. On the opposite end of the spectrum was rave culture, drenched in neon, glitter, and platform sneakers. This subculture was defined by bold experimentation: think metallic fabrics, candy-colored hair, and enough holographic accessories to make a magpie jealous. The 90s rave scene blurred the lines between fashion and fantasy, encouraging self-expression on an electrified dance floor.

By mid-decade, the pendulum swung back to sleek and sophisticated. Designers like Calvin Klein and Prada championed minimalism, giving us slip dresses, neutral tones, and perfectly tailored suits. The original supermodels—Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford—embodied this shift, bringing polished glamour to the masses.

Let’s not forget the influence of TV and movies. Clueless redefined preppy chic, turning knee-high socks, plaid skirts, and baby tees into must-have staples. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air made streetwear cool with bright colours and bold prints, while Friends inspired a generation to embrace cropped sweaters and high-waisted jeans.

The 1990s were a melting pot of styles, a decade where everyone could find their niche—whether you were a moody teen scribbling poetry in a notebook or a partygoer chasing the next bass drop. And whether you lived through it or not, 90s trends are back with a vengeance. So, dust off your Doc Martens, pull on a slip dress, and embrace the nostalgia—because the 90s are as relevant now as they were then.

Lucy lands in the 2000s

In the 2000s styles exploded with apparel fashion being brought to the mainstream, this meant that many could shop around for clothes more often at a much more affordable price due to the lack of Modern Slavery laws meaning sweatshops were rampant (and still are today). This meant that the line between subcultures became quite blurred, and at the same time there was a shift towards a more relaxed and ‘normal’ street style. In Manchester, The Mancunion was finding a way to categorise these different styles. In an edition from February 2005 an article titled ‘Recognise Yourself?’ categorised 7 types of dressers including:

1. The Unawares: Those described to have no interest in fashion, who perhaps never moved on from their parents dressing them, and what kind of clothes might have these unawares worn in 2005? The article says ‘Reebok classics or Hi-tek trainers, tapered-in jeans, logoed jumpers (Sweater Shop, Benetton) and cagoules’. The article says these are the kind of people who never learn, fashion ‘just isn’t in their makeup’ but at the very least that is better than looking like you tried too hard.
2. The Followers: Coming for the the followers of the trends these are the people to hop on the general cycle of trends, going into high street shops to find whatever shop has been co-opting the slowly rising trends once they have already gone mainstream. In February 2005 the past years (so, 2004)  saw ‘followers’ were wearing Boho chick looks that they say first started out in the Portobello/Camden market crowds before mainstream brands started copying the vintage trend. This included ‘Suede gilets, hippy skirts and furry Ugg boots, as well as lots of oversized  jewellery. Then there was those who followed the western rodeo look, ‘checked cowboy style shirts, Stetsons, big brass buckled belts and most importantly the done to death cowboy boot.

   

3. The Shiny Shiny’s: Coinciding with the addition of ‘Chav’ to the dictionary  this category is a slightly pretentious and sneering look at those who love a bit of fake tan, fake nails, and Juicy Couture. For the girls this meant their idol was  Victoria Beckham and they liked to wear ‘bottom-skimming minis and death defying stilettos’ on a night out, or  ‘Couture tracksuits and Von Dutch caps’ during the day. The lads who fit into this category were GHD-ing their hair and wearing perma-tans, sporting ‘strategically ripped jeans, pink shirts ,and blazers.’ The richer of these types would apparently be found shopping at Diesel, All Saints and Ted Baker.
5. The Unobtainables and the Trendsetters: In similar categories, the ‘trendsetters’, and the ‘unobtainables’ managed to pull off about anything,  always perfectly styling whatever they wear. The main place the article cites for their source of clothes was vintage stores, with the idea that most people wouldn’t even know; they simply have a mysterious way of finding the coolest clothes before they are cool .The trendsetters were wearing what the followers were wearing but at least a year before. These groups tended to suffer from everyone hopping onto their trend, requiring them to find new things to pull off while everyone else catches up.

We might hate to admit it, but we definitely still box people in to certain trend types on campus. Someone says Fallowfield girl, and you most likely picture someone in a fur coat, Harri joggers and UGGs on their Aldi run (how they somehow still look so good is beyond us). Someone says Business student, you probably picture designer logos head to toe….but maybe we’re less mean about it these days.

Eugenia takes the 2010s

A glimpse into our childhood wardrobes is an immediate reminder of 2010s fashion, bringing forth feelings of nostalgia for a simpler time, or more likely, embarrassment at the choices we used to make and trends we used to follow. An era so clearly defined by pop culture due to the rise of social media and the ease of access to celebrity and influencer fashion – we think of King Kylie on Snapchat or the Brit Crew on YouTube (so, so much business casual), fashion had never before been so documented. A ‘Get ready With Me’ or an ‘OOTD’ video being an access point to our newfound online style icons.

The 2010s were arguably the last fashion decade to be recognisably its own with silhouettes, colour palettes, and brands quintessential to their time. Today, individual style is typically reminiscent of other eras, and the trend cycle shifts incredibly quickly alongside the proliferation of different ‘aesthetics’ and ‘cores’ across many sub-genres.

2010s fashion is split stylistically on either side of the decade. Stemming from the 2000s, the early 2010s had tight fitting clothing, whimsical patterns, and relied on statement pieces: chunky necklaces, studded boots and hats were very popular with a strong notion of edge and teenage angst – a feeling that many of us will remember. Epitomised by Tumblr, a social media platform dedicated to developing an aesthetic, with brands such as American Apparel, Abercrombie and the now deceased Topshop (you are always missed).

The latter half of the 2010s brewed excitement for luxury names for everyday pieces in the wardrobe, rather than special occasions. This, as well as the move from tighter silhouettes to baggier ones made for the culmination of the ‘hypebeast’, with designer style epitomised by comfort. Supreme, Off-White, and Bape ruled the fashion world, especially for men, with their strategy of exclusive online sales pushing prestige and brand image.

The 2010s, a mere glimpse behind our shoulders, is not remembered fondly in popular culture, but catalysed the online relationship with fashion we have today, with the individual desire to document a good outfit, and the fan-culture surrounding influencers who build careers off consumable style, seen in different forms throughout the decade.

So, who knows what the next 60 years of fashion will bring us. Are we going to start bringing back wedge trainers? Maybe we’ll all start perming our hair again and Hawaiian Tropic-ing the hell out of our skin, who knows? I think it’s safe to say though that whatever comes our way…we will cringe at it ten years down the line.