Fashion has always been evolving through the decades. Although mini skirts, fun color patterns, and funky jewelry are now normalized throughout the fashion scene, these patterns and trends were not always accepted. Beginning in the 1960s in the United States, fashion became progressively more casual across all genders and ages, with shifts in culture, politics, and music. Fashion followed one of the biggest evolutions of history as it progressed all throughout the 60s decade into popular, diverse trends.
Womenswear followed three significantly different trends: a continuation of the ladylike, elegant style from the late 50s, the youthful style of colors, prints, and pop art inspired by the modern art movement, and lastly, the late 1960s “hippie” style.
The early 60s style with the influence of the late 50s fashion included boxy skirt suits and coordinating accessories that were most worn as one decade transitioned into the next. The years 1961, 62, as well as 63, were the years of Jacqueline Kennedy, the First Lady, who epitomized this look during her husband, J.F. Kennedy’s, presidential campaign. Women all around the world admired her looks which included the famous early 60s boxy skirt suits, A-line and sheath dresses, and luxurious coats. Her outfits were paired mainly with pearls and white gloves. Her style truly shaped the early 60s fashion trends for women.
As the years passed, the mid-1960s brought us the fun, bright, colorful patterns that were influenced by the modern art movement, with pop art and prints taking over. Those years focused on the youth movement, music, and of course, fashion. With popular bands like The Beatles and The Who coming into the music scene, we also gained the mini skirt, and the iconic model, Twiggy.
The mini skirt was essentially the most important piece of mid-1960s fashion, as it represented the shift in societal dynamics. It was an expression of youth culture and the beginning of sexual liberation due to the invention of the birth control pill. It was a playful, rebellious piece of clothing, and gave new clothing opportunities for women in America.
New materials also came to the fashion scene, as designers began to use acrylics, polyester, and shiny PVC for space-inspired clothing. Sheath and A-line minidresses, without a defined waist, were the most popular silhouettes. These modern designs and materials dominated the mid-60s, as fashion moved towards a more playful and freeing look for womenswear.
As the last years of the 60s decade arrived, a new style and culture was emerging. Skirts went back to being mid-calf, and by the year 1969, the full-length maxi skirt was back in scene. This came with the rise of the hippie movement and its influence on fashion.
Women were wearing long, romantic dresses from a variation of earth tones, as the hippie movement valued peace and love for nature. Flared denim pants with bright tops were also in, together with putting patches on your denim items with phrases and drawings such as the peace symbol and “flower power”. Headbands, beads, big sunglasses, and flower power belts were all in for accessories. Musician Janis Joplin embraced the style during this era of the 60s decade.
The trajectory of fashion during the 60s was one of the most diverse in history, although we can look back at it now and thank it for the liberation we have with fashion today.
EAC PRESS 
