Laver's Law was an attempt to compress the complex cycle of fashion change and the general attitude towards any certain style or period into a simple timeline. It first appeared in Taste and Fashion (1937). This is an application of this law to the Mini Skirt.
8. And a new cult of youth, known as
“Youthquake,” had radically taken
over many areas of life
9. In the midst of these dramatic political and cultural
changes emerged one of the most enduring and
controversial icons of
the era: the miniskirt
(or mini skirt)
10.
11. Existing, surprisingly, since ancient times,
this small and sexy piece of fabric has
embodied some of the most fascinating
paradoxes of our times as it suggests both
empowerment and vulnerability
21. Simultaneously condemned and
loved, t h e m i n i s k i r t
exploded into the political
landscape and had women
(and men) suddenly paying
attention to what had been
hidden years before…
24. James Laver (1899–1975)
Laver's Law was an attempt to compress the
complex cycle of fashion change and the
general attitude towards any certain style or
period into a simple timeline. It first
appeared in Taste and Fashion (1937)
25.
26. 10 years before its
time
Indecent
Laver's Law
indecorous
improper
vulgar
27.
28. 5 years before its
time
Shameless
Laver's Law
unblushing
unashamed
inmoral
29. 1 year before
its time
Daring
Laver's Law
audacious
venturous
avant-garde
33. 1 year after its time
Dowdy
Laver's Law
styleless
unstylish
unfashionable
34.
35. 10 years after its
time
Hideous
Laver's Law
outrageous
horrid
ugly
36.
37. 20 years after its
time
Ridiculous
Laver's Law
pathetic
laughable
silly
38.
39. 30 years after its
time
Amusing
Laver's Law
diverting
interesting
cheer
40.
41. 50 years after its
time
Quaint
Laver's Law
unusual
strange
old-time
42.
43. 70 years after its
time
Charming
Laver's Law
pleasing
sorcerous
wizardly
44.
45. 100 years after its
time
Romantic
Laver's Law
loving
amorous
wild-eyed
46.
47. 150 years after its
time
Beautiful
Laver's Law
exquisite
pretty
gorgeous
48.
49. While the miniskirt has been met
with disapproval and even
violence, the tiny skirt shows no
signs of disappearing. On the
contrary, the miniskirt is still
heavily featured on Western
catwalks and in fashion magazines
—and it is often shorter than ever.
50.
51. The phone company Samsung even introduced a new
cell phone in 2008 called the “Miniskirt Season 2”
which, while looking nothing like a miniskirt,….
55. The miniskirt—variously known as the
“micro-mini,” “pelmet,” or “bondage” skirt
—continues to occupy a fascinating and
paradoxical space in the fashion world as it
teasingly attempts to cover and reveal at the
same time
56. In all of its contradictions and reinventions,
the miniskirt still provokes, challenges, and
demands attention from both men and
women alike.