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Who would have thought the 1960s could be hip again, especially in fashion?

It's clear the fashion world is mad for Mad Men's sleek-and-chic New York-sophisticate go-to-work clothes -- Banana Republic's new Mad Men collection, for example.

Now some trend-spotters are checking out hints in clothing and accessories from The Help, the just-opened movie set in Jackson, Miss., in 1963, in which half the characters are dressed in maids' uniforms and the other half are Junior Leaguers in shirtdresses, bouffant hairdos and pearls. The characters aren't exactly likable, and they're certainly not cool, but the shirtdresses, cropped capris and flats they wear look not all that different from today's.

Call it the "ladylike" trend, perfect for fall after a summer of sweating in shorts and T-shirts, says Jenn Falik, a life and style blogger who appears regularly on the Today show and E! News. "A shirtdress is very easy to wear and gives you a lot of options. You don't have to look like you're going to a garden party -- you make it edgier."

Even a Junior League-style luncheon dress from the '60s can be repurposed for today, she says. "We're seeing a lot of full skirts that hit midcalf, floral prints and bright colors. The shape is part of the charm of the (dress) -- you want the drama of the cinched waist and a full skirt."

But if the dress comes with a matching belt, get a new one, she says. "You want something that looks modern, edgy and contemporary. The dresses haven't changed -- what's changed is the way they're being accessorized."

So toughen up your pearls, she says, with metal and crystals, then add a super-high stiletto with a platform. "It feels ladylike and cool."

(c) Copyright 2011 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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