The era of the 1960s, commonly called “The Sixties”, was a time of dramatic change in the culture of America, and around the world. Specifically for fashion, many trends, adaptations of foreign styles, and wacky ideas emerged that changed the way people thought about fashion.

Many of the 1960’s fashions were influenced by the social movements that were immerging at the time, and as such there was an enormous amount of variety that spanned over the decade. The fashions of the 1960s can generally be divided into three main categories: early sixties, mid sixties, and late sixties.

Fashion took politics by storm so much so that the wives of the prospective presidential candidates were internationally judged according to their dress. As such, the deity of early 1960s fashions was  Jacqueline Kennedy.
Jackie, as she was affectionately known, could often be seen in pastel-colored, short and boxy suits that featured oversized buttons. Her fashion was typical of the popular female fashions of those days. Young girls all over the world idolized her as their fashion goddess and mimicked her clothing as ideal.

The fashion trends of the mid-1960s were coming from England. And for the first time from the young teenagers themselves. Also, British rock bands like the Kinks, The Who, and the Rolling Stones greatly influenced the fashion of this period, along with the natural look inspired by the Hippies.

The Hippies were peace advocates and much of their clothing reflected that gentle spirit. Peace signs were everywhere, on clothes, necklaces, and even on their automobiles, re; the Volkswagen Bus. Also, the clothes of the late 1960’s hippie era were generally socially and environmentally friendly. They preferred to wear clothes that were not of artificial fabrics.

The sixties were turbulent years of war, social change, and youth rebellion. The Kennedy’s were assassinated. The civil rights movement lost Martin Luther King, and the Vietnam War was dividing a nation.

But it always seems to be true, that out of hard times comes great expression and creativity. And we certainly saw this in the amazing collection of music that was produced.

Certainly the same was true of 1960’s fashions, from the conservative early sixties, to ‘Swingin’ Sixties London’, and the natural ‘Hippie Look’.

Author; D.A.Grosshans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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