The BBC’s Style on Trial series reached it’s finale last night with a jury – Lulu Guinness (who’s pronunciation of ‘decade’ gradually became like nails on a chalkboard for me!), Celia Birtwell, Dylan Jones and Jamelia – deciding the most stylish decade of British fashion (which apparently starts in 1940s and ended at the turn of the millennium! I know we’ve not had a full decade of ‘noughties’ yet but isn’t 8 years worth a mention?) Now, to be fair, I should prefix this post with the admission that I’ve not seen the whole series so perhaps that, and other points, have been addressed by the programme makers and I just missed it.

I was impressed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s defence of wartime fashion and something that stayed with me was assertion that fashion and style in the 1940′s being a major element of the Blitz spirit; that looking good while surrounded by these horrible problems was almost defiant. It struck a cord with me, haven’t most women experienced the occasional need to hide behind the ‘warpaint’ of our favourite lipstick, or other make up of choice?

Personally I’m a fan of elements of every decade so wouldn’t want to have to limit myself to just one; I love the dress shapes of the 40s and 50s, the youth/pop culture – and those amazing prints! – that emerged in the 60s, the flares, luxe, sparkle and punk of the 70s, the sharp tailoring, statement Tshirts and neon colours of the 80s! The 90s feels like a tougher sell to me, perhaps because I was a teenager then so I don’t remember it as particularly stylish – something some of the panel found hard to reach beyond on occasion when decades had personal associations with embarrassing outfits of their youth!

Hosted by Lauren Laverne and Stuart Maconie the series dedicated a 6 of it’s shows to examining each of the decades in detail and then the finale was a debate before the jury of experts. The advocates for each decade were Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for the 40s, Brix Smith-Start for the 50s, Jill Kennington for the 60s, Wayne Hemingway for the 70s, Caryn Franklin for the 80s and Ben de Lisi for the 90s.
[Spoiler alert!] While all were passsionate for their cause, the Style on Trial trophy eventually went to Wayne Hemingway and the 70s – surely only suitable considering it’s mirrorable-esque appearance!