Fashion – like all trends – is a cycle and if recent fashion shows are any indication then the Sixties are swinging back into 2018. Did you hear about Dior’s 1960s Protest Runway at Paris Fashion Week? Here are some of the best designs, muses, and subcultures to give you a head start on this renewed style.
Iconic Clothing
The Sixties brought some foundational articles of clothing to the masses that we take for granted. The miniskirt, the bikini, and the idea of pants for women. And you thought these things just always existed?
André Courrèges created the miniskirt, go-go boot, and triangle shift, all of which dominated the era. Mary Quant popularized the miniskirt and coined the term ‘mini’.
Pierre Cardin made things bold. He pushed the geometric space-age look that gave ‘60s fashion a quirky kind of charm.
Emilio Pucci, the Prince of Prints, designed colorful, psychedelic styles that still represent the wild side of the decade. He’s one of my all-time favs too.
Biba brought affordable high-fashion to the masses which meant more young women could harness and identify with those lofty aesthetics.
Givenchy kept things classy and gave Audrey Hepburn her timeless look. An important balance to the looser, more free-flowing looks of the time.
Famous Faces
It may have been the time of the Beatles and the Kennedys, but the fashion world was making waves too. In fact, Jackie Kennedy – with her pillbox hats and other influential outfits – was one of those leading the charge.
The 1960s also brought us (arguably) the first supermodel in the form of Jean Shrimpton. Not to mention, the iconic Twiggy also introduced the world to the skinny, androgynous look. Full-figured goddesses and enigmatic models both still dominate the runway today. The fashion world would never be the same.
It was the era of countless other beauties like Brigitte Bardot, Pattie Boyd, Veruschka, and Cheryl Tiegs to name a few.
Stylish Subcultures
The British Invasion and the rise of counterculture played a huge role in the styles and subcultures of the time too.
Mod – The center of fashion in Sixties London and beyond. Mods were all about fashion, jazz music, and scooters (yes, scooters). They focused on clean-cut-cool styles through miniskirts, shifts, boots, and suits.
Hippies – Although it’s become a stereotype, the flower power clique was a serious cultural force. Their colorful, flowing style wasn’t complete without tie-die, headbands, fringe, long skirts, and bell-bottom jeans. And, sometimes, no clothing at all. Free love.
Freaks – The more radical side to the counterculture movement that brought out some mind-expanding concepts and creations. Focused on breaking the norm, they used psychedelic designs, combined dissimilar styles like military and fantasy, and embraced their misfit status. Think pre-punk looks.
Bikers – There’s no denying the allure of the free-wheeling, anti-authority biker. Leather, denim, and boots. Plain, but fierce.
1960s Meet 2018
Now that you’re on the same page of history, let’s see what you can learn from it. Modern designers always cull the best from the past and 2018 is no exception. Now’s a great time to get your hands on neo-classic looks without true vintage prices.
