(Photo by Cody Hiscox)
The 1960s was a decade of dramatic change, and fashion changed with it. Over the course of just ten years, clothing moved from the polished, carefully coordinated styles of the early 60s to the colour, experimentation and relaxed silhouettes that defined the end of the decade.
Music, art and a new generation of young people all played a part in shaping the way people dressed. Hemlines rose, patterns became bolder and traditional ideas about menswear and womenswear began to shift. The result was one of the most varied and influential decades in fashion history.
The Early 60s: Polished and Refined
At the beginning of the decade, fashion still carried many of the influences of the 1950s.
For women, fitted dresses, full skirts and carefully coordinated outfits remained popular. Tailored coats, gloves and structured handbags were everyday wardrobe staples, while simple shift dresses began to introduce the cleaner silhouettes that would become increasingly important.
Men's fashion was equally polished. Slim trousers, knitted polo shirts, button-down shirts and sharply tailored jackets created a smart, understated look.
But change was already beginning.
The Rise of Youth Fashion
One of the biggest changes of the 1960s was the growing influence of young people on fashion.
For perhaps the first time, teenagers and young adults were helping to drive mainstream clothing trends rather than simply dressing like older generations. Music, nightlife and emerging subcultures created new styles that moved quickly through cities and across countries.
London became an important centre of youth fashion, with boutiques offering colourful, experimental clothing aimed specifically at younger shoppers.
Fashion was becoming faster, more playful and increasingly connected to music and popular culture.
The Mod Look
Few styles are more closely associated with 60s fashion than Mod.
Clean lines, sharp tailoring and bold patterns defined the look. Men wore slim-fitting suits, fitted shirts, knitted polos and lightweight jackets, while women's Mod fashion embraced shift dresses, mini skirts and knee-high boots.
Geometric prints, contrasting colours and simple silhouettes gave Mod clothing a distinctly modern appearance.
The style was neat and carefully considered, but it also represented a clear break from the clothing of previous generations.
The Mini Skirt Changes Fashion
The mini skirt became one of the defining garments of the decade.
Shorter hemlines had gradually appeared during the early 1960s, but by the middle of the decade the mini had become a symbol of youthful fashion.
Often paired with colourful tights, fitted knitwear and tall boots, the look captured the energy and optimism associated with the era.
Its influence can still be seen throughout modern fashion.
Patterns Take Centre Stage
The 1960s wasn't afraid of pattern.
Geometric prints, Op Art designs, stripes, oversized florals and bold colour combinations appeared across dresses, shirts and knitwear. Black and white optical patterns sat alongside vibrant oranges, yellows, greens and pinks.
As the decade progressed, prints became increasingly experimental.
Paisley patterns, swirling artwork and psychedelic designs began appearing on shirts and dresses, reflecting the changing music and art of the late 60s.
Men's Shirts Get Bolder
Menswear underwent its own transformation during the decade.
The plain shirts and conservative colours of previous years were joined by patterned shirts featuring paisley, florals, stripes and geometric designs.
Collars became more noticeable and colour became increasingly important. Patterned shirts were worn with tailored trousers, denim and jackets, creating a more expressive approach to men's fashion.
Many original 60s shirts remain highly collectable today, particularly pieces featuring unusual prints and distinctive period details.
Denim Moves into Everyday Fashion
Denim had long been associated with workwear, but by the 1960s its place in everyday fashion was becoming firmly established.
Jeans were increasingly worn by younger generations, musicians and members of emerging countercultures. As the decade progressed, denim began to move away from its purely practical roots.
Faded finishes, customised garments and denim jackets became part of a more relaxed approach to clothing.
By the end of the decade, jeans were no longer simply work trousers. They had become an important part of youth fashion.
Music Shapes the Way People Dress
Music and fashion became increasingly connected throughout the 1960s.
The British music scene influenced hairstyles, tailoring and everyday clothing, while rock and psychedelic music encouraged more experimental styles later in the decade. Elvis Presley also remained a major presence, with his colourful shirts, sharp tailoring and famous black leather look of 1968 adding another distinctive influence to men's style.
Fans looked to musicians for inspiration, adopting everything from fitted suits and Chelsea boots to colourful shirts and flamboyant jackets.
Clothing became another way of identifying with a particular sound, scene or generation.
The Psychedelic Years
By the late 1960s, fashion looked dramatically different from the beginning of the decade.
Psychedelic prints, tie-dye, embroidery and flowing fabrics reflected the growing counterculture movement. Clothing became looser and increasingly influenced by traditional textiles and designs from around the world.
Paisley shirts, embroidered waistcoats, flared trousers and colourful accessories all became part of the changing fashion landscape.
The clean lines of early 60s Mod fashion hadn't disappeared, but they now existed alongside something far more relaxed and experimental.
Vintage 60s Fashion Today
More than half a century later, the influence of 1960s fashion remains easy to spot.
Mini skirts, shift dresses, patterned shirts, Chelsea boots, bold geometric prints and vintage denim regularly return to modern collections. Many of these styles feel surprisingly contemporary despite their roots in a decade of enormous social and cultural change.
Original 60s clothing offers something even more distinctive. The unusual prints, fabrics and construction of the period give vintage garments a character that's difficult to recreate.
At Brag Vintage, we're always searching for clothing with a story. From bold patterned shirts and colourful knitwear to classic denim and pieces inspired by the changing styles of the decade, explore our collection of vintage clothing and discover fashion from decades past.
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