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Scrutiny of the war in Vietnam, protests for the equality of all people, and the race to space all shaped the Swinging sixties. The decade saw a great deal of change not only in what individuals believed but also in how each person chose to dress. The change of dress and the fight for equality, freedom, and peace broke massive social norms within societies throughout the United States. To learn more about the events that shaped the sixties, you can visit the Events Timeline here.

The most iconic fashion trends of the sixties are clearly influenced by the events and movements that marked the decade. Notably, counterculture and “Flower Power” fashions can be seen in hippie groups that began to come about during the late sixties. The hippies often wore garments inspired by nature, ethnic fashions, and psychedelics. These clothing were usually casual, second-hand garments bought at thrift shops. Short and maxi skirts and dresses were popular with women, and both men and women wore wide-bottomed pants and denim. Androgynous and gender-neutral clothing was also fashionable among hippie groups.  Much of the hippie fashions were greatly influenced by the group’s beliefs on war, inequality, and experimentation.

Women’s fashion also took a drastic turn as ladies began fighting for equality in the work place and society. Skirts and dresses became shorter, and increasingly, younger women began to wear trousers in a variety of styles. Some women even opted for menswear-inspired suits for their work attire. Ironically, men began to wear heels (platforms shoes) as early as 1967 while women took on a more boyish, or traditionally masculine, look with their pants and mod hairstyles.

Although men’s fashion did not change quite as drastically as women’s, more casual styles and brighter colors became popular during the sixties. Flared pants and bell bottoms were the most popular by the end of the decade. Patterned ties and tops also made an appearance in the late sixties. Many men’s clothing trends were inspired by pop icons like the Beatles.

Another fashion transformation during the sixties could be seen in African Americans during their fight for civil rights. By the end of the decade, many African Americans used fashion as a symbol of pride and as a way to protest discrimination. Wearing a natural Afro and traditional African garb became very popular among the ethnic group as it became a symbol of black power and liberation. The Black Panther Party also played a part in how African Americans dressed. Those is the revolutionary group wore a stylish uniform consisting of black shades, a black leather jacket, and a black military-style beret. The Black Panthers continue to influence African American art and fashion today.

Finally, the race to space changed the game for fashion designers as many high fashion brands began to experiment with shapes, prints, and fabrics. Haute couture suddenly became very artistic and Avant-garde with designs that many people would not wear realistic but could instead admire. Some popular trends of space-age fashion were metallic or plastic materials used as fabric, geometric shapes and prints, and helmet like hats.

 

Notes

Timeline Image Citations

1. Townsend, Paul. “Best of British -1960s fashion boutiques,” Illustration. June 30, 2013. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/9174384984.
2. Kroon, Ron / Anefo. “ Bobby Charlton (1966),” Photograph. Nationaal Archief. October 24, 1996. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bobby_Charlton_(1966).jpg.
3. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. “Natalie Wood Penelope 1966 publicity photo,” Photograph. 1966. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natalie_Wood_Penelope_1966_publicity_photo.jpg.
4. Shaw, Mark. “First official White House Photograph of First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy,” Photograph. GSA. 1961. https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/historic-preservation/historic-building-stewardship/architecture-and-government/a-timeline-of-architecture-and-government.
5. Praturlon, Pierluigi. “Brigitte Bardot in Spoleto, Italy on August 11, 1961.,” Photograph. Getty Images. August 11, 1961. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brigitte_Bardot_in_Spoleto,_Italy_on_August_11,_1961..png.
6. De Nijs, Jac. / Anefo. “Diabolo minidress at Mary Quant fashion show, Utrecht, 24 March 1969,” Photograph. March 24, 1969.
7. “beatles 4,” Photograph. December 16, 2009. https://www.flickr.com/photos/beatlesmaniac11/4191790770/in/photostream/.
8. Jones, Denna. “Mark Cross handbag circa 1960s,” Photograph. April 20, 2007. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dennajones/3371006146.
9. “twiggy,” Photograph. May 14, 2011. https://www.flickr.com/photos/38435269@N07/5718809197.
10. “Space Age Clothes,” Photograph. November 24, 2014. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Space_Age_Clothes_(1).JPG.
11. N.A. van den Bogaart. “Anneke Gronloh 1964 Eurovision dress,” Photograph. May 15, 2010. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anneke_Gr%C3%B6nloh_1964_Eurovision_dress.jpg.
12. Parlophone Music Sweden. “The Beatles magical mystery tour,” Photograph. August 22, 2012. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Beatles_magical_mystery_tour.jpg.
13. Townsend, Paul. “1960s Beatlemania Fashion,” Photograph. May 9, 2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/14143181554.
14. “Lana Lobell 1962,” Photograph. February 4, 2013. https://www.flickr.com/photos/42353480@N02/8446177331.
15. Campbell, Paul and Redmond, Derek. “Woodstock Redmond hair,” Photograph. August 1969. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodstock_redmond_hair.JPG.