A Decade in Two Halves
The 1960s did not have one look. The early years still carried much of the polish of the 1950s: neat suits, tailored dresses, gloves and hats. By the middle of the decade, a younger, bolder style had pushed to the front. By the end, many young people favored loose, handmade-looking and bohemian clothing. Describing the decade in two or three phases is more accurate than treating it as a single style.
Why Youth Mattered
After the Second World War, birth rates rose in many countries, and by the 1960s a large generation of teenagers and young adults was entering the workforce and the marketplace. Many had spending money of their own, and they wanted clothing that looked different from what their parents wore. Music, film, magazines and television amplified their tastes and spread them quickly.
Fashion businesses took notice. Small independent boutiques, often run by young people, sold affordable and experimental clothes aimed at their own age group. The idea that youth could lead fashion, rather than follow adult rules, was one of the biggest shifts of the era. It still shapes how trends move today, including in the way fashion trends are followed and talked about.
Bold Shapes
Several silhouettes became closely associated with the decade.
- The miniskirt. Short skirts became popular in the middle of the decade and were widely seen as a symbol of young women’s independence. Hemlines varied enormously, and many people wore longer lengths throughout.
- The shift dress and A-line dress. Simple, straight or gently flared dresses with little emphasis on the waist gave a clean, geometric look.
- Colorblock and graphic prints. Bold stripes, checks, dots and abstract designs, often in strong color, were common. Ideas from pop art and modern design influenced these patterns, and anyone interested in mixing prints will find the decade a rich source.
- Space-age influences. Interest in space travel inspired metallic finishes, white and silver tones, and sleek, minimal forms.
Accessories were part of the picture: go-go boots and flat shoes, tights in opaque colors (which suited shorter skirts), large sunglasses, headbands and chunky plastic jewelry. Shorter hems made tights more important, and they became a major everyday item.
Trousers and Menswear
Women’s trousers became more widely accepted in everyday life, and trouser suits began to appear, although many workplaces and venues still expected skirts or dresses. Menswear also loosened. Early in the decade, slim suits and narrow ties were common. Later, men’s clothing included brighter shirts, wider lapels and collars, longer hair and more experimental shapes. The line between formal and casual clothes began to blur, which pointed toward the more relaxed workplace rules that followed in later decades.
Fabrics and Production
New and improved synthetic fibers made bright, easy-care clothing cheaper and more available. Ready-to-wear clothing improved in design and range, so that fashionable looks were no longer limited to people who could afford custom-made garments. A simple, cut-from-a-few-pieces dress also lent itself to quick, large-scale production. The story of clothing production helps explain how these shapes could reach so many people.
Counterculture and Bohemian Style
Toward the end of the decade, many young people turned away from sleek, polished looks and toward clothing associated with freedom and individuality. Bell-bottom trousers, tie-dyed and hand-printed fabrics, embroidery, kaftans, fringe and beads were all popular. Styles borrowed freely from many cultures and from earlier eras, such as old military jackets and thrifted clothes. Some of this borrowing reflected real interest in other traditions and some was casual, and it raises questions that the topic of cultural exchange covers more carefully. Vintage shopping and mixing eras were also part of the look, which anticipates modern second-hand shopping habits.
What Carried Forward
Many 1960s ideas are still part of the modern wardrobe: the A-line dress, the shift dress, the mini length, the bold print and the boutique-style variety of choice. The decade also helped establish a lasting pattern in which young people’s clothing, from jeans to sneakers, can move upward into the mainstream. The next stage of that story is explored in our look at 1970s fashion.
Wearing a 1960s Idea Today
A simple way to borrow from the period is to pick a single shape, such as an A-line dress, and pair it with modern shoes and a plain jacket. Strong color works best when the rest of the outfit stays quiet. Our guide to clothing color is a good place to start if bold shades feel intimidating. A graphic print can be balanced by a solid piece in one of its colors.