The colors, prints, and silhouettes of 1960s fashion were the hallmarks of the decade. This era also saw the introduction of fringe and ink-splatters, which were hugely popular with the young. The fashion style was both feminine and aggressive, with many men and women displaying their bodies with pride.
Colors
The colors of 1960s fashion were bright and vibrant. Men’s shirts were more vivid than ever, available in almost any pattern. Solid block colors were also popular. Men also tried to match the colors of their shirts to other elements of their ensembles. For example, turtlenecks, cardigan sweaters and polos were all sold in coordinated colors. Men also wore coordinating socks and ties.
The decade marked sweeping social change and the rise of the modern age. The colors and styles of the 1960s reflected the changing attitudes of the time. The decade saw the birth of a new generation and a new market for youth fashion. For this reason, 1960s fashion was full of bold colors and bold prints.
Men’s fashion reflected this desire for a more youthful look. Suits were lighter and sport jackets had wider lapels. Trousers often did not reach the ankle. Striped sweaters were also popular. Young French designer Andre Courreges, a man of few years, influenced almost every aspect of fashion.
The colors of 1960s fashion were bright and bold, ranging from pastels to bright, vibrant colors. These colorful pieces were often paired with bright prints, such as paisley, swirls, or daisy flowers. While the 60s saw the rise of hippies and other psychedelic era mania, mature women also embraced bold colors and textures.
The decade saw the rise of new, avant-garde designers. These designers aimed to bring new and fresh designs to the streets. Those designers were experimenting with new techniques to make their creations feel fresh and modern.
Prints
Bold prints were the essence of 1960s style and they can be seen on everything from clothing to accessories. These prints ranged from florals and psychedelic patterns to bold stripes and colourful checks. You can recreate this look today by selecting prints in multicolour or black and white. These prints are also available as wall hangings and can be hung in any room in your home. If you are looking to add some vintage style to your home or office, try purchasing a 1960s print.
The 1960s were a time of social change and the dawn of the modern era, and fashion reflected these changes. Young people began to wear less traditional clothes and shopped more casually. This new attitude helped create a new market in fashion for younger people. Today’s youth can easily find inspiration in 1960s fashion prints.
The sexual revolution made women more free in their choices. Babydoll dresses became popular. These dresses were short and loose around the waist. They represented a rebellious spirit for the mods and rejected the body sculpting styles of the 1950s. These dresses became more colorful, and psychedelic patterns were everywhere. Colors such as brown and orange also became popular during the decade.
The 60s were an era of rebellion and change. The ‘Space Race’ of the Cold War, ‘the hippie movement, and a new feminism all influenced the fashions of the decade. This new style broke down traditional stylistic barriers and brought much-needed change to the world.
Miniskirts
The 1960s marked a revolution in Western culture. During this time, there were anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and anti-racial movements. Rock music and hippie culture were booming. The miniskirt trend emerged in this context. The original style was developed by Mary Quint, who opened Barcelona department store on London’s King’s Road. She further shortened the skirt to four inches above the knee. The miniskirt quickly became an international trend.
Miniskirts were first worn by teenage girls, but they later became a mainstream fashion trend. Models like Twiggy marketed the style to teen girls. For the first time, teenage girls became the faces of high fashion editorials. The trend began on the Kings Road in London, and quickly spread to the pages of glossy fashion magazines.
The introduction of the miniskirt ushered in a period of empowerment for women. Despite the modesty of the clothing, women had the opportunity to be politically active and define their professional roles. They could earn as much as their male co-workers. They were also given access to birth control. In addition, the miniskirt symbolized the woman’s ownership over her life and her legs.
The era also marked a shift in focus on the female “erogenous zones.” Victorian silhouettes focused on the hips and waist. Early twentieth century flapper dresses, for example, showed more leg than ever before in modern Western history. Later, the flapper style returned to its more conservative longer hemline. Regardless, the miniskirt became a staple of 1960s fashion.
The miniskirt’s popularity was boosted by the emergence of a number of women’s clothing designers, including Mary Quant. She is often credited with being the first public advocate of the miniskirt.
Lean silhouette
The 1960s were a decade marked by extremes. This decade saw the rise of fashion icons like Twiggy and Jackie Kennedy, who liberated women from the constraints of conventional femininity. Twiggy embodied the 1960s fashion ethos: “There is no such thing as too short.” This era echoes the flapper revolution of the 1920s, when women wanted to be as short as possible. Other icons of the era included Brigitte Bardot and Mary Quant. Meanwhile, the Youthquake movement brought about clothing known as “babydolls.” In addition, the Mod look was characterized by shapeless shift dresses.
During the 1960s, the lean silhouette continued to become a popular trend. It was often worn with wide-leg pants or flared pants. The length of the skirts could be shorter than the length of the legs. Women’s coats also followed the same style, with round collars, flap pockets and geometric prints. Short jackets were popular among the mod set and young women, but most women opted for blazer-type jackets.
The 1960s fashion decade also marked the emergence of relaxed shaping and the return of the princess shape. Lean shapes were popular in both American and European collections, but they also became more relaxed as the decade progressed. While European collections focused on low-waisted silhouettes, American designers embraced the princess silhouette. In addition, soft fullness was introduced in the form of loose box jackets over full skirts, as well as deep-bloused tops over circular skirts.
The 1960s saw the rise of the middle class in the West, which influenced the fashion of the day. Many Italian and American designers made a name for themselves, such as Yves Saint Laurent, who helped define the 1960s refined style. The 1960s was also a decade marked by the emergence of a new fashion language. Yves Saint Laurent, then head designer at Christian Dior, was known for using optical colors and brighter colors. Other notable designers of the decade included Pucci, whose colorful psychedelic prints became popular with the women of the day.
Jeans
Jeans were one of the most popular styles during the 1960s. They were worn by movie stars like Audrey Hepburn and Mary Tyler Moore, and were stretchy and tight. They were typically black, but were available in many solid colors. However, the popularity of blue jeans was especially high, and the young people of the 1960s wore them almost every day.
In 1957, Western-made jeans were introduced to the Soviet Union, which sparked a “jeans fever” in the country. People began wearing western-made blue jeans and became more interested in Western culture. Many felt that wearing jeans represented Western victory over Soviet ideology. However, this trend ended when two ringleaders were caught smuggling contrabands into the country. Ultimately, the two men were executed by Nikita Khrushchev.
The 1960s saw the emergence of a number of different styles that became a defining element of the 1960s fashion. Blue jeans were a common choice for casual wear, but they were also made into a more dressy garment. The 1960s also saw the rise of jean jackets and double denim. The counterculture embraced the jean’s versatility by decorating them with various embroidery designs.
Wide-leg jeans with a flared calf were also popular. Levi’s 505 jeans were popular in the music scene. In the 1970s, the punk movement continued to influence jeans. As a result, the color of jeans shifted to be darker and tighter. Similarly, the waistline became more defined.
The denim fabric’s origins are not well-known. Some historians believe it originated in Italy. In the sixteenth century, enslaved fieldworkers were clothed in tough fabric. After the 1870s, laborers and miners began wearing jeans. These men wore these sturdy trousers as part of their work attire.