Below are some ideas of how much clothes and childrens mens and ladies fashions were in the 60's , The popular clothes in the early 60's for women were mini skirts and leather boots and men wore Paisley shirts, velvet trousers and high collared Regency jackets, as the 60's proceeded the introduction of Psychedelic clothes with bright colors became all the rage for both men and women and the age of the Hippie is born. Men started to wear hair longer and women identified with the hippie look by wearing skirts and dresses longer often known as Maxies
The 1960s: A Time of Great Fashion Protest, Growing Prosperity, and Youth Influence
Despite tragic events that have taken place in the 1960s, this decade was labeled as a time of economic boom and growing prosperity. Likewise, new fashion trends were being marketed on a large scale to a younger generation.
Teens who worked often purchased clothing and other items as a symbol of status. They took pride in securing well-paid employment and in being able to acquire material things, including clothing and accessories. Purchasing the types of clothes they liked was like a form of expression and individuality.
Since teens were spending more money on clothes they were the ones that helped shape the future of fashion. For that reason, more and more companies began catering to their desires. Clothing items such as thigh-high skirts that would have been considered risqué beforehand became acceptable to wear in the 1960s.
The Transition from the Late 1950s to Early 1960s (haute couture to “anything goes”)
In the late 1950s, the high-end fashion of the affluent (a.k.a. “haute couture”) was still very much cherished. It was the wealthy fashion houses and the upper class which decided what was “in” and what was “out” season after season.
The rise of teenage fashion influence in the 1960s very much clashed with the ideas of what was considered sophisticated dress. However, it is worth pointing out that this does not mean an undercurrent of youth fashion or other fashion deviance did not occur before this time.
“Fashion rebellion” (a.k.a. “anything goes”) has existed since the beginning of the world. No matter how provocative or unusually a new clothing design may be, there will always be a group of people who for one reason or another will not want to “go along with the crowd.”
Furthermore, there will always be people who really do not see the point of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on an outfit just to fit in. Instead, they may wear items that appear to be just like the brand name styles but really are replicas of fashion (sometimes referred in the negative sense as “knock-off items” or “imitations”).
Moreover, there are and most likely have always been certain groups of people do not pay attention to fashion, but just where what they feel most comfortable in. Likewise, some people are not prone to frivolous spending, and only wear clothes for one reason-to cover the body.
Other people just choose not to follow certain new fashion trends simply because some new designs may not suit their tastes. (Have you ever seen models walk down a runway wearing an outfit you would not want to be caught dead in? If so, you get the point.).
The 1960s magnified all the fashion trends that were considered unorthodox or untraditional in the material world. If you study all of the different sub-groups (a.k.a. subcultures) of the 1960s you will find this out for yourself.
1961 and Beyond: Ives St. Laurent, Mary Quant, Hippie Dress, and Space Fashions
After 1961, casual dress was more accepted and clothes were worn in ways they may not have been worn before. A major influence in this dramatic shift in fashion was a designer by the name of Ives St. Laurent.
The Work of Ives St. Laurent
In some ways St. Laurent had received the same respect for his fashion predecessor, Christian Dior and for a long time he had followed Dior’s footsteps. St. Laurent even took Dior’s place after Dior died in the year 1957.
It did not work out for St. Laurent to stay at the company any longer where he served and trained under Dior. In the year 1961 St. Laurent moved on. Pierre Berge, a friend of his joined him in starting a brand new venture.
It could be said that St. Laurent began a fashion revolution. In fact he is known for the person who has caused the “transition between yesterday’s fashion and today’s”. (Baudot Page 194).
This means that he integrated both the styles of his predecessor Dior along with new traditions. One of St. Laurent’s other major influences was Gabrielle Chanel
During the 1960s, St. Laurent promoted a way of dress that included both casual and formal pieces of clothing. For instance, St. Laurent created simple but feminine clothing outfit designs for women such as a min-skirt worn with a pullover sweater.
Additionally, he introduced a very unique line of dresses which were displayed in her Rive Gauche chain of boutiques in 1967. Two of the dresses displayed in these shops were black with a pink silhouette of a woman print on the front.
One variation of the above-mentioned style of a midi-length dress (dress with hem line half way between “mini” and maxi-length). On the front of this dress with a shadow of a woman’s face only showing basic detail of the eyes in black and white and luscious red lips.
The other variation of the above-mentioned style pattern is a black ankle-length dress (maxi-length dress) with a pink shadow of a woman posing imprinted on the front right side of the dress. Those who study the type of work he did could most likely say that he combined the attributes of both sophisticated and risqué dress.
In Fashions of a Decade the 1960s it states that St. Laurent “moved away from the expected role of the fashion designer” (Connikie, Page 14). The same was said about Mary Quant, who you will read about next.
Mary Quant Fashions
The flavors of designs created by Mary Quant were quite similar in many ways to the styles that were introduced by Ives St. Laurent. In fact, the “Quant Cult” is sometimes attributed to the group of people who favored the styles created by this famous fashion designer
In addition to variations of the mini-dress or mini-skirt of the mid to late 1960s, she created new line of lace tights, mesh designs, and cosmetics. Additionally, she designed a softer type of brassiere meant to be worn under the mini-skirt. She was responsible for the initiation of skirts of a hem line eight to nine inches above the knee.
Quant opened her own chain of stores in the UK called Bazaar. These stores displayed merchandise similar to what is showcased in St. Laurent’s chain of Rive Gauche stores.
Hippie Dress and Psychedelic Fashion Both hippie clothes and psychedelic outfits were core representations of late 1960s fashion. The basis of dress from approximately 1967 to 1969 was unisex fashion. Most of the men and women of this time wore pantsuits, blue jeans, tie-dyed T-shirts, and multi-colored print clothes (especially shirts)
Another group of hippies were born during this decade as well. At one point the “sloppy” dress of the non-conforming “anything goes” hippie group was transformed into a major fashion trend.
Designer clothe of ethnic and flower power prints, peace signs (into the 1970s as well), long skirts (maxi-length), loose shirts, and wide-bottom velvet pants were "in”. Moreover, long strands of “love beads” were worn around the neck, especially from the year 1969 to at least the mid 1970s.
Events and celebrities that can be associated with the 1960s will give you more of an idea of how people in this decade dressed. Woodstock 1969, the Beatles (especially British fashion) Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, the Rolling Stones, and Motown are some of them.
These events and people all represented different sects of hippie/psychedelic sub-culture and fashion. You may want to study these different events and people in more depth when you have the chance.
Space Fashion
A major milestone in world history and American history is the introduction of the Space Age. New fascinations with worlds beyond earth lead to the 1969 American landing on the moon (Apollo 11 Mission). Along with that, was a new type of fashion line was born.
If you want an idea of what space fashion would be you can flash back to the original Star Trek series with Captain Kirk, Dr. Jim, and Dr. Spock. The clothing that was worn during the filming of Star Trek episodes represented real life space fashion (minus the Stark Trek symbol embroidery, unless a person was a bona fide Trek-ee.)
Another major line of space fashions that was created during this time was one made especially for women. One of these space fashions included variations of a white leather mini-dress and long bobby socks or “space boots” and wigs.
Another outfit consisted of a “spacesuit” that was worn by Jane Fonda while she portrayed “Barbarella”. The one-piece outfit includes a pair of boots that reach the thigh area.
The Last Word about 1960s Fashion
As long as this article is, it does not completely represent the different subcultures that existed in the 1960s. Besides all the groups mentioned there were the motorcycle and beatnik crowds who had their own style of dress-often referred to as mods or “greasers”.
You are advised to conduct your own personal study to learn more about these different subcultures in American culture. You will find it quite intriguing.
The 1960s: A Time of Great Fashion Protest, Growing Prosperity, and Youth Influence
Despite tragic events that have taken place in the 1960s, this decade was labeled as a time of economic boom and growing prosperity. Likewise, new fashion trends were being marketed on a large scale to a younger generation.
Teens who worked often purchased clothing and other items as a symbol of status. They took pride in securing well-paid employment and in being able to acquire material things, including clothing and accessories. Purchasing the types of clothes they liked was like a form of expression and individuality.
Since teens were spending more money on clothes they were the ones that helped shape the future of fashion. For that reason, more and more companies began catering to their desires. Clothing items such as thigh-high skirts that would have been considered risqué beforehand became acceptable to wear in the 1960s.
The Transition from the Late 1950s to Early 1960s (haute couture to “anything goes”)
In the late 1950s, the high-end fashion of the affluent (a.k.a. “haute couture”) was still very much cherished. It was the wealthy fashion houses and the upper class which decided what was “in” and what was “out” season after season.
The rise of teenage fashion influence in the 1960s very much clashed with the ideas of what was considered sophisticated dress. However, it is worth pointing out that this does not mean an undercurrent of youth fashion or other fashion deviance did not occur before this time.
“Fashion rebellion” (a.k.a. “anything goes”) has existed since the beginning of the world. No matter how provocative or unusually a new clothing design may be, there will always be a group of people who for one reason or another will not want to “go along with the crowd.”
Furthermore, there will always be people who really do not see the point of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on an outfit just to fit in. Instead, they may wear items that appear to be just like the brand name styles but really are replicas of fashion (sometimes referred in the negative sense as “knock-off items” or “imitations”).
Moreover, there are and most likely have always been certain groups of people do not pay attention to fashion, but just where what they feel most comfortable in. Likewise, some people are not prone to frivolous spending, and only wear clothes for one reason-to cover the body.
Other people just choose not to follow certain new fashion trends simply because some new designs may not suit their tastes. (Have you ever seen models walk down a runway wearing an outfit you would not want to be caught dead in? If so, you get the point.).
The 1960s magnified all the fashion trends that were considered unorthodox or untraditional in the material world. If you study all of the different sub-groups (a.k.a. subcultures) of the 1960s you will find this out for yourself.
1961 and Beyond: Ives St. Laurent, Mary Quant, Hippie Dress, and Space Fashions
After 1961, casual dress was more accepted and clothes were worn in ways they may not have been worn before. A major influence in this dramatic shift in fashion was a designer by the name of Ives St. Laurent.
The Work of Ives St. Laurent
In some ways St. Laurent had received the same respect for his fashion predecessor, Christian Dior and for a long time he had followed Dior’s footsteps. St. Laurent even took Dior’s place after Dior died in the year 1957.
It did not work out for St. Laurent to stay at the company any longer where he served and trained under Dior. In the year 1961 St. Laurent moved on. Pierre Berge, a friend of his joined him in starting a brand new venture.
It could be said that St. Laurent began a fashion revolution. In fact he is known for the person who has caused the “transition between yesterday’s fashion and today’s”. (Baudot Page 194).
This means that he integrated both the styles of his predecessor Dior along with new traditions. One of St. Laurent’s other major influences was Gabrielle Chanel
During the 1960s, St. Laurent promoted a way of dress that included both casual and formal pieces of clothing. For instance, St. Laurent created simple but feminine clothing outfit designs for women such as a min-skirt worn with a pullover sweater.
Additionally, he introduced a very unique line of dresses which were displayed in her Rive Gauche chain of boutiques in 1967. Two of the dresses displayed in these shops were black with a pink silhouette of a woman print on the front.
One variation of the above-mentioned style of a midi-length dress (dress with hem line half way between “mini” and maxi-length). On the front of this dress with a shadow of a woman’s face only showing basic detail of the eyes in black and white and luscious red lips.
The other variation of the above-mentioned style pattern is a black ankle-length dress (maxi-length dress) with a pink shadow of a woman posing imprinted on the front right side of the dress. Those who study the type of work he did could most likely say that he combined the attributes of both sophisticated and risqué dress.
In Fashions of a Decade the 1960s it states that St. Laurent “moved away from the expected role of the fashion designer” (Connikie, Page 14). The same was said about Mary Quant, who you will read about next.
Mary Quant Fashions
The flavors of designs created by Mary Quant were quite similar in many ways to the styles that were introduced by Ives St. Laurent. In fact, the “Quant Cult” is sometimes attributed to the group of people who favored the styles created by this famous fashion designer
In addition to variations of the mini-dress or mini-skirt of the mid to late 1960s, she created new line of lace tights, mesh designs, and cosmetics. Additionally, she designed a softer type of brassiere meant to be worn under the mini-skirt. She was responsible for the initiation of skirts of a hem line eight to nine inches above the knee.
Quant opened her own chain of stores in the UK called Bazaar. These stores displayed merchandise similar to what is showcased in St. Laurent’s chain of Rive Gauche stores.
Hippie Dress and Psychedelic Fashion Both hippie clothes and psychedelic outfits were core representations of late 1960s fashion. The basis of dress from approximately 1967 to 1969 was unisex fashion. Most of the men and women of this time wore pantsuits, blue jeans, tie-dyed T-shirts, and multi-colored print clothes (especially shirts)
Another group of hippies were born during this decade as well. At one point the “sloppy” dress of the non-conforming “anything goes” hippie group was transformed into a major fashion trend.
Designer clothe of ethnic and flower power prints, peace signs (into the 1970s as well), long skirts (maxi-length), loose shirts, and wide-bottom velvet pants were "in”. Moreover, long strands of “love beads” were worn around the neck, especially from the year 1969 to at least the mid 1970s.
Events and celebrities that can be associated with the 1960s will give you more of an idea of how people in this decade dressed. Woodstock 1969, the Beatles (especially British fashion) Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, the Rolling Stones, and Motown are some of them.
These events and people all represented different sects of hippie/psychedelic sub-culture and fashion. You may want to study these different events and people in more depth when you have the chance.
Space Fashion
A major milestone in world history and American history is the introduction of the Space Age. New fascinations with worlds beyond earth lead to the 1969 American landing on the moon (Apollo 11 Mission). Along with that, was a new type of fashion line was born.
If you want an idea of what space fashion would be you can flash back to the original Star Trek series with Captain Kirk, Dr. Jim, and Dr. Spock. The clothing that was worn during the filming of Star Trek episodes represented real life space fashion (minus the Stark Trek symbol embroidery, unless a person was a bona fide Trek-ee.)
Another major line of space fashions that was created during this time was one made especially for women. One of these space fashions included variations of a white leather mini-dress and long bobby socks or “space boots” and wigs.
Another outfit consisted of a “spacesuit” that was worn by Jane Fonda while she portrayed “Barbarella”. The one-piece outfit includes a pair of boots that reach the thigh area.
The Last Word about 1960s Fashion
As long as this article is, it does not completely represent the different subcultures that existed in the 1960s. Besides all the groups mentioned there were the motorcycle and beatnik crowds who had their own style of dress-often referred to as mods or “greasers”.
You are advised to conduct your own personal study to learn more about these different subcultures in American culture. You will find it quite intriguing.
