Wearing a Mod Costume

A mod costume is the perfect solution for Halloween. Retro parties are also popular; you’ll be a hit if you show up in a costume influenced by the “mod” era, or 1960s British culture. This culture of the 1960s and 1970s was said to incorporate anything “modern.” Originally a subculture, the mod look spread to many different groups both in Britain and in the United States. This popular vintage style experiences a resurgence every few years, and today the mod look is a trendy style for everyday wear as well as costumes.

 

When assembling a mod costume, stick with very bold colors. Black, white, and bold shades of primary colors should be your inspiration. Your costume should not use any pastels, grays, or other weaker shades; choose the brightest ones you can find. The one more subdued shade that was worn during the mod era was camel, a tan color often seen in suits or other basics, particularly on men. Patterns seen during the mod era were very bold. These graphic designs often included blocks of color or plaids in very contrasting tones.

 

One way to style a mod costume is to pair very dark-wash denim jeans with several colors of bright tops, for example a dark red shirt and a sunny yellow cardigan. Corduroy is another style that was popular during the mod era; guys can pair a corduroy suit with a bright shirt. Another type of suit that could be worn for a mod costume is a bright color, such as red. A very bright white shirt with a smaller collar can be worn with any of these looks, especially with a contrasting pair of pants in any bright or dark shade. The belt worn with any of these styles should be skinny, not wide. If you want to wear a skirt as part of your costume, it should be short, and worn with a pair of flat boots. It should not be a denim miniskirt, however, but a bright color, in keeping with the mod style. Tights are acceptable to wear under the skirt, and should be in a color that contrasts both the boots and the skirt, if possible.

 

Mod costumes can also incorporate some very retro accessories. One of the most popular mod accessories is a pair of flat leather boots, particularly in white or black. Jewelry should be very chunky, almost caricature-like, and incorporate very large plastic baubles in all of the colors popular elsewhere in mod style. Secure your hair with a bright headband. If you want to wear a wig with your mod costume, find one in a very blunt style, such as a short bob, or wear your hair long and straight.

 

Unlike when assembling your everyday wardrobe, a mod costume should be over-the-top. Make sure that your ensemble says “mod” from head to toe. This quintessential 60’s look is also known as the Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon looks. The Beatles can also be considered mod. Looking at pictures of the mod style can help inspire you to come up with your own mod look.

 

Author; D.A. Grosshans

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