The 1960s witnessed the introduction of the daringly short mini skirt, shocking conservative society with its daringly short silhouette. Today, wear a knitted mini dress like Free People’s Mira, go-go boots, or padded flatform sandals for a retro look.
Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy became iconic models, helping make mod clothing the new style for English women. Paco Rabanne created silver space-age tunics, which revolutionized fashion.
Mini-Skirts & A-Line Dresses
The 1960s was an era of rapid transformation, as evidenced by their fashion trends. From short skirts and dresses with geometric prints or bolder hues to monochromatic geometric print patterns or bolder shades – youth culture yearning for independence represented itself through these trends.
The mini skirt was one of this period’s most noticeable fashion modifications, popularized by designers such as Mary Quant and Andre Courreges. It ushered in sexual liberation for women while simultaneously expressing individuality and femininity; its rise also coincided with that of birth control pills, giving women greater control of their bodies and sexuality.
Mod girls were known for wearing very short mini skirts paired with tight-fitted polo-necked tops with square necklines and French polo-neck sleeves, often accented with brightly colored go-go boots and newsboy caps or berets. Soon thereafter came hot pants: short skirts featuring bell bottoms and flared legs similar to trousers which could be paired with either tunic shirts with square necklines and French polo neck sleeves, or trousers featuring bell bottoms with bell bottoms that resembled trousers; or short bell bottomed short skirts with bell bottoms and flared legs similar to trousers worn together with tunic shirt style tops featuring square necklines and French polo neck sleeves; similar fashion could also be found worn together with hot pants slung over tight fitted tops featuring bell bottoms accentuating go-go boots which would accentuated by wearing go-go boots with brightly colored go-go boots with brightly colored go-go boots as an accentuating piece; these styles would soon after be followed by Hot Pants; short skirts featuring bell bottoms and flared legs similar to trousers worn worn together with an associated top featuring square neckline and French polo neck sleeves (wearable through to wearable by this method was then worn sleeveless tunic shirt or chiffon blouse with square neckline and French polo sleeves or beret; worn to this style later resemble by their respective wearers or beret or beret and newsboy cap or beret and worn alongside each other to their counterpart, wearing hot Pants being followed closely by the Hot Pants being worn worn worn tight fitted like trousers that featured bell bottom and flared legs that could only just overlying off-neck). This style followed soon after their predecessor the hot pants worn in turn). This trend), followed closely by its respective wearer). This trend). These short pants with a square neckline with French polo-neck.
Similar to sheath dresses, shift dresses also became fashionable during this era. Sheath dresses were simple in shape and usually composed of cotton or polyester fabric, featuring no waistline and appearing the same on all women; therefore, they could easily be customized using accessories to express individual styles. Shift dresses were another excellent option since they could easily be made cheaply while looking great on any body type.
As the decade progressed, Mary Quant and Andre Courrege’s styles gave way to a more “hippie” aesthetic. Suedes, headbands, kaftans, and other non-Western decoration elements became part of their designs; women preferred flowing skirts over tight jeans. Midi skirts resurfaced near its end as women moved toward more playful yet freeing looks.
At this point, denim and plaid also made an impactful comeback to boy’s fashion. Cuffed jeans often appeared with tucked-in polo shirts or athletic jackets/blazers. Sheath dresses/shift dresses were still highly fashionable during this era, with sweetheart necklines often appearing on blouses made of wool crepe or stiff cotton fabrics.
Pleats & Pockets
Pleats made a comeback during the final years of the 1960s. Men became more experimental in their clothing choices; some even chose wide-pleated trousers (which would appear very baggy today).
Pleats were often created from two selvage widths of fabric joined together in front and folded into box pleats that formed the waistline before stitching to form a crease across shoulders and stitched onto mantua to create flowing dresses worn with sashes around their necks.
In the 1960s, men adorned themselves with cufflinks and collar shirts to add flair to their looks. White dinner jackets with narrow shawl collars were often worn, as were black tie suits with three-button cuffs – considered fashionable then. Draper constantly donned such attire to look his best.
Women’s dresses during this era tended to be more full and flowing than those worn during previous decades. Upper-class women favored dresses constructed of luxurious white linen trimmed with muslin for daily laundering. In contrast, working-class women typically opted for coarser fabrics like hemp or flax that required less frequent washings.
Most modern lightweight fabrics don’t provide stiff enough support for pleated pants, so most men avoid this classic tailoring style altogether. But a small group of men still rock this timeless tailoring trend; not necessarily GQ models or Sprezzabox ambassadors but rather men who appreciate old-school styling and always seek to look their best.
Pleats may seem outdated to many men, but I find them stylish and an effective way to add visual interest and versatility to your wardrobe. You can use different fabrics for pleated items; just be sure your trousers don’t become too baggy with too many wrinkles that press open into pockets; they should instead sit comfortably near or just below hip level.
Colored Tights
Women were given freedom in the 1960s to wear tights without fear of ridicule or ridicule; bold-patterned stockings became an integral part of fashion thanks to Mary Quant and London ‘Mod’ girls popularising them through the Mod fashion movement. Tights with matching prints were often worn alongside mini skirts and Mary Jane shoes from different colors; made from wool, cotton, or even synthetic fabrics like nylon (some types were powdered to appear more natural and less shiny).
Tights were worn to make an eye-catching fashion statement in an understated manner by pairing them with short dresses made of lace, velvet, or cotton and featuring matching colored tights – often seen on top models such as Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Penelope Tree, Edie Sedgwick, and Veruschka – with high hemlines that reached mid-thigh in some instances.
Women could pair their colorful tights with flared trousers and go-go boots, becoming popular amongst younger generations of this decade due to being inspired by the British music culture and being part of a postwar generation dubbed ‘baby boomers.’
The hippie movement also marked the 1960s, as their followers donned bell-bottom jeans and psychedelic-patterned T-shirts and sweaters to express themselves freely and rebel against authority. Young adults reveled in embracing their individuality during this decade.
As clothing was not the only element of fashion during this decade, jewelry also played an integral part in its style. Glamour reigned at first with feminine pearls worn by Audrey Hepburn silver screen icons; as mod fashion took hold and featured striking plastic creations inspired by pop art and geometric shapes, inspired jewelry changed significantly. Other styles, including hoops, earrings, bangle bracelets, and rings crafted of precious metals or embellished with gemstones or bold acrylics, became widely worn throughout.
Cheetah & Leopard Prints
The 1960s was an era of enormous social upheaval and change, which manifested in fashion. While earlier decades saw ladylike elegance and Mary Quant’s youthful styles reign supreme, a new generation of young women had emerged looking for greater self-expression through clothing designs with less formal techniques and bolder color use by mid-decade. Designers responded accordingly by offering more casual looks with more aggressive use of color.
Hippie fashion revolutionized clothing styles in the late 1960s. Instead of mini skirts and childish pinafore dresses, full-length maxi skirts with beads, kaftans, and other non-Western elements became increasingly popular as part of women’s newfound freedom. This popularity was an indicator of acceptance towards non-Western cultures while creating new space for female individuals.
Animal prints were an increasingly fashionable trend during this era, particularly leopard and cheetah prints. This look was often combined with brightly-hued accessories for an exotic, bohemian effect. Additionally, hot pants and culottes – like long shorts but designed to mimic full skirts – were introduced during this era. This gave women more versatility between work attire and evening events by providing multiple choices between skirts or dresses to choose from.
Veruschka and Twiggy became household names during this era as some of the first supermodels, helping make mini skirts a significant fashion statement. While not as tight as pencil skirts, they clung closely around the body showing skin.
Cheetah and leopard prints were popular among fashion icons and celebrities during this era, featuring skirts, blouses, and even hats worn by Eartha Kitt, Jayne Mansfield, and Zsa Zsa Gabor – among many others. Cheetah patterns differed slightly by having less intense spots with closed rosettes rather than open ones compared to leopards.
Nowadays, many designers incorporate leopard or cheetah prints into their collections. This timeless pattern never goes out of fashion, and interior designers alike often utilize its versatility – it can be found anywhere from wall art and handbags to dog collars and dog leads!
