General View of the Fashion Trend in the 1960s
1960’s fashion was a rage in itself. It symbolized revolution and
energy. A number of youth movements became prominent as people realized
the importance of civil rights. The era of 1960 is known as the age of
daring and risks. The men became more suave and the boys became funkier.
The men got stimulated from the James Bond movie series. Boys decided to
get cool with colorful shirts and funky clothes. The most important
fashion trend in the 1960’s was the hippy fashion. People react
ambiguously to hippy fashion. Some people question it while some people
love it. Hippy fashion stands for freedom (freedom can be any kind
starting from freedom of speech to freedom to do what you want),
liveliness and love. Hippies show a path of carefree life. Hippy fashion
comes hand in hand with color. In 1960 designers started experimenting
with colors for the first time. They also designed new clothes and
offbeat clothes to give a new dimension to the fashion world.
Miniskirts, Bell bottomed pants (pants that grow wider down the knees),
Dakishis came into being in the era of 1960. Even the famous bikini got
recognition and became an instant success in 1963 after the release of
the famous film “Beach party”. Flower prints became extremely popular.
Almost every woman wanted a flowery dress in her wardrobe. 1960 saw the
extinction of the men’s hat. Colorful headbands won the hearts of the
girls. As the hippy fashion became prevalent, boys and girls started
opting for bandanas and scarves. The era of 1960 showcased the social
movements in the styles of dressing.
 Women started caring a lot about their eyes. The eye makeup received the
utmost attention. Everything was done to highlight those beautiful and
twinkling eyes. False eyelashes, blue and green eye shadows were used
galore. A lot of eyeliners were also used. Hippies are known for their
undisciplined life and disorderliness. This hint of naughtiness became
evident in the fashion trend. Mismatched colors, vivid patterns became
the order of the day. Colorful tie and dye shirts became a favorite with
the boys. Girls got hooked to mini-dress, miniskirts, box shaped PVC
dresses, batik fabrics and paisley prints. Polka dot printed clothes
need a special mention of their existence in the late 1960s. Men even
wore colorful ties with shirts. Fluorescent colors were also worn
without any hindrance. Men also started patronizing Italian suits. There
was a mixture of colors and patterns.
Men and Women of 1960 didn’t care too much about accessories. Love beads
(again a symbol of the hippy fashion) and medallion necklaces were worn
by the women of the 60s. Women also wore high baggy pants and velvet
bell bottom pants. Loon pants were also a kind of bell bottom pants that
was worn by women of that era. The brands and shops did their best to
keep up with the fashion trend. Levis Strauss was the first brand to
launch bell bottom jeans and velvet bell bottom pants for its customers.
“Go Go” boots also popularized in this decade. They were usually
accompanied with a back zipper or a side zipper. Stilettos were craved
in the early 1960’s but after that the boots replaced them.
 Long and “bubble” sleeved dresses were a gift of this era. Designers
started making innovative dresses with new materials other than cloth.
They used polyester and PVC a lot. You will be surprised to know that
though baggy pants or bell bottoms were very popular, some women also
wore skinny jeans (a fashion trend that is followed now!). The famous
Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn started the fashion of skinny jeans in
the era of 1960.
|
