Changing face of Fashion 1960-1970

1960’s fashion was  dominated  by youth culture. The post War baby boom had created millions of teenagers for the sixties, and these youth swayed the fashion, the fads and the politics of the decade.The 1960's began with crew cuts on men and bouffant hairstyles on women. Men's casual shirts were often plaid and buttoned down the front, while knee-length dresses were required wear for women in most public places. By 1965 miniskirts or hot pants, often worn with go-go boots, were revealing legs and curves, and women's hair was either very short or long and lanky. Menswear had a much needed renaissance; bright colours, double-breasted sports jackets, polyester pants suits with Nehru jackets, and turtlenecks were in vogue.

Early 1960's- Predominated by high profile French and London based fashion designers. Fashions in the early 1960’s reflected the elegance of the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. Pillbox hats were worn with suits with short boxy jackets, and over-sized buttons. Simple, geometric dresses, known as shifts, were also in style. For evening wear, full-skirted evening gowns were worn; these often had a low neck line and had close-fitting waists. For casual wear, capri trousers were the fashion for women and girls. Stiletto heel shoes were widely popular.

 

 

Mary Quant Mid 1960’s- In 1955 Mary Quant began designing clothes for her shop (Bazaar) in King’s Road, London. Her clothes were not cheap but reflected a rise in the power of young people who wanted to express themselves through fashion.

Some say that she ‘invented’ the mini skirt, but it was probably more the product of the times rather than a brand new fashion idea.

Hem lines started to creep up in the late 1950’s and were shortest at the time this dress was designed in 1967. Indeed, the white band on the bottom of this dress (thought to be called ‘Peggy’), suggests the original dress was designed to be even shorter than it finally was. Designs were ‘unfussy’, easy to wear garments, made of materials such as wool jersey.

 

Her designs became so popular that she later launched a lower priced ‘Ginger-Group’ ready to wear range, which made her and her designs a household name and huge commercial success.

Beatniks- Mary Quant was influenced by Chelsea beatniks and dance outfits she remembered from childhood.

Her clothes were made up of simple shapes combined with strong colours.

 

Pierre Cardin- His interest in architecture showed up in the geometric shapes which became his trademark in the 1960s.

His dresses were decorated with circular and rectangular motifs. He preferred crisp, supple textiles like wool crepe and jersey. His designs appealed to the wider public.

Cardin was also fascinated by new 'space age' materials like vinyl, silver fabrics and large zips. He added moulded plastic visors to helmet-like hats to make them resemble astronauts' headgear.

Givenchy- By contrast to the youthful Mary Quant Givenchy creations concentrated on haute couture, which, at the time, seemed a little out of touch to some critics. However, in 1968, a New York Times reporter wrote that Givenchy's “evening clothes…have a perfection that not many designers show these days.”

In retrospect, Givenchy's designs had a timeless appeal lacking in trendier late 1960s designs. The black evening dresses featured here retain their elegance and could easily be worn today.

This dress epitomises quality - a delicate triangle of a black coq feather dress flowing from a small black velvet silk bodice.

Late 1960’s fashion - Male fashions in 1968 reflected the growing tendency to mix and match a wide variety of materials, styles and accessories. It was an exciting time in men’s fashion.
Tailored suits gave way to a unprecedented array of daring styles. Men wore turtlenecks, Nehru jackets and jewelled pendants. Even bright madras plaids were challenged by the flower-splashed resort blazers.