It's Radical - Fashion Protest over Hemlines in 1970!

In the late 1960s, the mini skirt reigned supreme, and did we young women ever love it! I remember it with such fondness. My father would often remark, as I was preparing to walk out the door in a mini-something "Well, you have a shirt on, when are you going to put on the rest of your clothes?" ;) In those days, I wore clothes with the high-thigh lengths you see in these photos. So sassy, so liberating!

 

Yes, we really wore our hemlines that short. Here are some patterns from 1969 that demonstrate the mini-length hemlines. There is short, and then there is really short:

 

(Note the bridesmaid's mini dress!)

 

Then, in 1970, the powers that be in fashion dictated a switch in skirt length from mini to midi. Not happy!! Life magazine, March 13, 1970 edition, captured this fashion hassle over hemlines.

 

 

Couture designers were quoted on their views about the hemline change, and they clearly had strong preferences:

In the sewing patterns of 1970 and on, we slowly start to see lower hemlines, including the midi and the maxi lengths. The ultimate compromise was moving the hemline up to just below the knee.

 

 

 

Scraps from the Past - 1970s Skirt is a School Sewing Lesson

This fine A-line flared skirt goes from mini to maxi length and has fun details. The pattern is McCall's 4589, with view B circled - the skirt our student must have sewed. The pattern envelope included fabric pieces and also pages from an eighth grade school home economics sewing lesson and exam. It's a sewing lesson from the mid-1970s - how fun! :)

The fabric the student selected is a durable cotton broadcloth floral print, perfect for spring & summer.

Here are the mimeographed instructions for the sewing lesson, addressed to the parents (because they must pay for the fabric, pattern and other sewing notions). Note that the teacher indicates a preference for Simplicity patterns, but has no objections to McCall's. The teacher requires washable cotton or cotton blend fabric. A full list of needed supplies, including tools, is provided.

 Here is the exam on sewing terms - she gets a perfect score!: