Author: Orla Doherty

Denim has been a ubiquitous everyday material ever since the 1950s, and it's been a quintessential American wardrobe staple throughout fashion history. Branching out from jeans and overalls, it arguably found most wear in the 1970s with shirts, shorts and accessories.

This Dorothy Perkins Western Shirt isn't just a shoo-in for seventies looks thanks to its material, though. This shirt's Western styling lends the feel of Americana that was so popular with folkies of the era. An ideal shade of blue denim finishes this off to a tee.

Get yours now for £25.

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Simple and chic, a sixties Parisian look is hard to surpass in terms of easy retro style. While nautical stripes may be sometimes overdone in fifties looks, this sixties take is still ripe for exploration in modern wardrobes.

This French Connection Striped Dress manages to look effortless and easy going thanks to the looser fit of the bodice. The simplistic silhouette is given a subtle retro flair thanks to a wide boat neck, three quarter length sleeves and that ever present mini length hemline.

Get yours online from French Connection for £45.

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Houndstooth prints have enjoyed something of a revival on our high streets of late, and when it's done right it can give immediate retro flair to your fashion.

This Valentino Dress & Jacket set use the print to great effect. Both the dress and capelet style jacket draw heavily on vintage inspiration for their shape and styling. With a high end European sixties look, this roll neck dress is chic and effortless. The instantly retro A-line shape of the jacket offsets the sleek, long lines of the dress perfectly to create a striking silhouette.

These pieces are available online from Neiman Marcus from $3490.

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With so many online stores peddling a huge variety of vintage items, it can be hard to keep track of which shops are worth a regular look. Etsy is chockful of vintage sellers, and one of the most impressive collections is The Ruby Kitten.

This shop has managed to pull together a great range of one of vintage items centreing around a decadent fifties boudoir feel. Featuring fashion, original lingerie and even homeware items like telephones and soft furnishings, this online boutique sells itself on a great eye and equally appealing prices.

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An all cotton mini dress is something of a no brainer as far as retro summer clothes go, but this Nicole Miller number stands out from the crowd thanks to the styling.

In a green that's somewhere between grass and olive, the dress immediately looks classic and chic. The fantastic collar detailing gives this an unquantifiably sixties vibe, along with the neat, straight body shape of the dress. Also available in a very feminine coral pink, this dress is the perfect cross between simplicity and sophistication.

Get it online from Bluefly for $165.

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