60's Fashion

60's Fashion for Women

The biggest impact on modern fashion was the introduction of the mini skirt. Originally created by designer Mary Quant, the skirt fell six to seven inches above the knee. Often paired with tights and go-go boots, the mini skirt started a phenomenon that still exists today.

Other popular 60's fashions include:

• Baby-doll dresses with round necks and fitted waists were seen on women of all ages and sizes. These cute dresses were found in prints and solids and in both pastel and vibrant colors.
• Hot pants took the term shorts to another level. These short shorts were seen in bright colors and made a fashion statement on whoever dared to wear them.
• Culottes were another popular clothing item. They had the look of a full skirt but were more versatile, like a trouser.
• Tie-dyed shirts allowed for personal expression and individuality in the wardrobe. Women wearing these brightly colored shirts were sure to be noticed in the crowd.

Women were drawn to the vibrant, bold patterns not previously seen in fashion. Toward the end of the 1960s, peasant skirts, granny dresses and bell-bottom jeans became popular.

Footwear changed drastically in the 1960s. Gone were the stilettos and in were the kitten heels. Flat knee high boots were popular and often paired with skirts and dresses. Women wore Mary Janes, ballerina flats and slingbacks with most of their fashions. Toward the later 60s, Dr. Scholl's clogs became the rage with a wide variety of styles.

Unique Styles of the 60s

A subgroup of the 1960 culture was the hippies. This group rebelled against the war, promoted peace, love, and made a huge fashion statement. They opted for fashions that were natural and comfortable. Seen in tie-dyes, free-flowing skirts and beads, the hippies' psychedelic style was as unique as their personalities. They often wore flowers in their hair and painted their face or bodies with peace symbols or other meaningful designs.

The complete opposite style from the hippies was Jacqueline Kennedy. Often described as glamorous, dignified and timeless, this first lady was a major style influence of 60's fashion. Kennedy's style was very classy and polished. She was frequently seen in a pillbox hat, oversized sunglasses and a suit with quarter-length sleeves. Other classic Kennedy styles were black turtlenecks, pearls, long gloves with evening gowns and brooches. She favored high-end designers including Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Valentino but was not opposed to shopping at mainstream shops as well. Always looking perfect, Jacqueline Kennedy was a fashion role model who is still admired today.

Model and actress Twiggy was one fashion icon who women admired in the 60s and many wanted to copy her look. She was named "The Face of 1966." Twiggy's signature look was drawn on eyelashes and a heavily made-up eye. Big, dramatic eyes and a pale face were the sought-after look in makeup in the 60s.

Other style icons of the 1960s included Brigitte Bardot, Natalie Wood, Verushka and Nancy Sinatra.

Pantyhose Revolution

Seamless pantyhose were introduced in the 1960s. Before pantyhose, women wore girdles and suspender belts to keep their nylon stockings from falling down. During the 60s, it was not proper to show bare legs and it was not fashionable to see the tops of stockings when wearing mini skirts. Pantyhose were the perfect 60s fashion alternative to stockings.

In the late 1960s tights became the latest rage in fashion. Usually seen in patterns or with glitter, tights were the perfect compliment to a dress or mini skirt.

Modern Fashion

Do you love the look of the 1960s? Why not try incorporating a few pieces into your current wardrobe. Some good places to start shopping for your favorite 60's styles are

• Vintage clothing shops, Goodwill or even the Salvation Army
• Search for your favorite fashion at eBay.com
• Shop online at soulflower.com for some cool hippie inspired clothing.

Events of the 1960s