Sixties clothing helps history talk go with a swing

May 11 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

IT was the Sixties reborn on Tyneside last night as gear from the decade was dusted down and paraded once again.

Almost 150 Sixties types turned up at Newcastle City Library to hear a talk on the times by Ponteland fashion historian Caroline Whitehead as part of Local History Month activities.

An appeal by organisers for authentic Sixties clothing brought a surprising response as people dug out their old duds from their attics.

A selection was modelled by library assistants Lydia Nelson, Delphine Sainte-Croix and Rob Hunter who, all in their 20s, experienced a taste of what the Sixties must have been like.

The slim models were recruited because the intervening years meant that most donors can no longer squeeze into their Sixties items.

Other Sixties outfits were also hung around the walls.

Event organiser Anna Flowers said: “Loads of people loaned their Sixties bits and pieces and we had everything from a wedding dress to an Afghan waistcoat .

“I am amazed that people have kept these items for so long but it was a very special decade and meant a lot to those who lived it.

“Judging by the clothes, everybody was a lot thinner then.”