Summer Days!

Author: Conaill O’Dwyer

5 Dresses We Will Never Forget.

The season of dressing up is almost upon us. Get inspired by some of history’s most awe-inspiring dresses. Whether it’s Audrey Hepburn’s LBD or Marilyn Monroe’s white halter, a good dress does more than look pretty on screen. It has also created some of cinema’s and music’s best moments. We’ve pulled 5 looks that did just that, plus some dresses we know you will love at http://www.stylejump.com. So go ahead, steal the scene!

1. Audrey Hepburn– Givenchy

There’s almost no dress more iconic than the Givenchy sheath that Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, wore to go window shopping at her favourite jewellry store in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Paired with a pearl necklace, elbow-length black gloves, a tiara, a pair of dark sunglasses and a cup of deli coffee, Hepburn’s look continues to define New York chic.

 

2. Marilyn Monroe–Travilla

Marilyn Monroe wore a white dress in the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, directed by Billy Wilder. The dress was created by costume designer William Travilla and was worn in one of the best-known scenes in the movie.The dress is regarded as an icon of film history and the image of Monroe in the white dress standing above a subway grate will forever be one of the iconic image of the 20th century.

 

3. Elizabeth Hurley– Versace

When a little-known Elizabeth Hurley stepped out on the arm of Hugh Grant at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1997, her daring choice of attire made her an instant household name. The plunging Versace design held together with gold safety pins is to this day, one of the most (if not the most) famous red carpet dresses of all time. The decision to wear the dress wasn’t quite as calculated as one might expect – rather, it was the only option.

 

4. Gerri Halliwell – Union Jack Dress.

The Union Jack dress was an item of clothing worn by singer Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls at the 1997 Brit Awards. The mini dress featured a flag of the United Kingdom, the Union Jack, on the front, and a white peace symbol emblazoned on the black-coloured back of the dress. The next day the images of the dress made the front page of various newspapers around the world, and is now remembered as one of the most iconic pop moments of the 1990s and Brit Awards history.

 

5. Jennifer Lopez– Versace

American recording artist and actress Jennifer Lopez wore a plunging exotic green Versace silk chiffon dress to the 42nd Grammy Awards ceremony on February 23, 2000. It is a see-through silk chiffon dress with a tropical leaf and bamboo pattern, with a citrine-studded crotch, with a “low-cut neck that extended several inches below her navel”.The dress received significant global media coverage, and it has been cited along with Elizabeth’s Hurley’s black dress as one of the top dresses that made Versace a household name and the turning point in designer Donatella Versace’s career after the death of her brother Gianni Versace.

 

At StyleJump we believe the dress is an integral addition to any woman’s collection and StyleJump has a colossal range to offer . No matter what kind of style you are looking for we have it all right here. With everything from saucy mini dresses and sophisticated midis to elegant maxi dresses. If you’re searching for that perfect party dress or an awesome day dress, look no further. In all the key fabrics of the season including lace, sequin and velvet and in all the key colours too. You cannot go wrong with something from our famous dresses collection. So what are you waiting for? Below are a few of our favourites.

 

The History Of The Mini Skirt.

Have you ever wondered where the miniskirt came from or who was responsible for this innovative trend. In the following piece, I hope to shed some light on the history and evolution of this iconic piece. It’s hard to believe that its over 50 years since the miniskirt made its debut.

The miniskirt did not come into prominence until the 1960s, but ancient artworks have shown that women were wearing very short, mid-thigh length skirts thousands of years ago. More recent history shows veiled women under long sleeves and long hemlines, with the exception of 1920s, when the fashionable flappers of the age raised their hemlines up to the knee. The harsh economic times of the Wold War II kept women’s skirts at a knee length (due to rationing), but the economic boom years of the 1950s favoured full, long skirts on women, signifying wealth and glamor.

That was all about to change in the 1960’s. These years were an era of revolution in both music and fashion. Although many designers have claimed the title of “creator of the miniskirt”, it was British designer Mary Quant who launched the trend in 1963. This was largely due to the image of teen model Twiggy wearing a miniskirt. The 60s were undoubtedly different times than today, the miniskirt was a real challenge to the common sense of decency of that time. The strip of fabric was considered scandalous, shameless and irreverent and was deeply upsetting to a large part of the conservative society of the time.

Ignoring a short period of time during the 70s, when the miniskirt took a backseat to longer versions, due to the growing feminist movement, that believed the skimpy garment was a tool for objectifying women. In the 1980s, short skirts began to re-emerge. Many women began to incorporate the miniskirt into their business attire, a trend which grew during the remainder of the century. Films and television series made in the mid-1990s (Friends , Sex and the City, for example) show how ubiquitous the mini had become again.

Even today in the 21st century the miniskirt continues to be a regular feature of the fashion world. In all of its contradictions and reinventions, the miniskirt still provokes, challenges, and demands attention from both men and women alike.

Check out our full range of skirts at http://stylejump.com/