Western trends largely influenced fashion in the Soviet Union. The socialist ideology of the state, however, consistently moderated and influenced these trends. The general public did not have easy access to ready-made fashion due to a shortage of consumer goods.
Domestic media received a more excellent representation of Western fashion during the Khrushchev Thaw (mid-1950s to the mid-1960s). Journalists were sent overseas to report on the latest fashion trends. In the Soviet Union, however, state-owned magazines and fashion institutions moderated these trends. A classic, long-running style was preferred over fashion fads. Modesty and moderation were also emphasized. For instance, Coco Chanel’s signature style was admired for its simplicity and timelessness. According to a 1959 article in the New York Times, Soviet fashions were unremarkable, clumsy copies of outdated Western styles. These styles, however, were becoming more widely available. Despite being expensive, shops like GUM have now reopened and offer new fashions.
By the end of the 1960s, Soviet fashion institutions, such as ODMO (All-Union House of Prototypes), adopted increasingly novel Western trends. However, there was still a need to establish distinct Soviet fashions. For example, “space fashion” proclaimed a triumph of Soviet science as resonating with state ideology.
Take a look at these fabulous fashion photos of Soviet ladies from the 1960s and 1970s.
