Fashion, as we have come to know, is cyclical in nature – that is, fashion trends come and go. What seems to fade out of fashion today always finds its way back tomorrow – or almost always. Many so-called new fashion trends today may not be entirely new after all. Some of them are coming back from as far back as the 1960’s – over half a century ago.
In fact, our love for swinging 60’s fashion trends looks like it knows no bounds. From knee-high boots to off-the-shoulder top to mini skirts and more, the 60’s are back with us and we are still reaping the style benefits.
This week, we bring you 10 iconic 60’s fashion trends that are still very much around.
1. Mini skirts
One cannot talk 60’s fashion without mentioning the miniskirt. It was British fashion designer Dame Barbara Mary Quant who popularised miniskirts. Quant was designing minidresses and skirts that sat six or seven inches above the knee by the mid-60’s, but it is to French couturier André Courrèges that many give credit for inventing the miniskirt because he included miniskirts in a collection he showed in Paris in April 1964. By that time, however, Quant, who died 13 April 2023 at the age of 93, was already wearing miniskirts and selling them in her London boutique. She would always say: “[I]t wasn’t me or Courrèges who invented the miniskirt anyway. It was the girls in the street who did it.”
But whoever invented the miniskirt, kudos, because that sexy trend is still one of today’s sensations.
2. Corset girdle
The corset has been around for centuries, though its function and form have changed drastically. In the early days, corsets were designed to help shape the body into a more idealized form, though they often came at the expense of comfort.
Today, corsets are more commonly worn as a fashion statement, though they can still be used to sculpt the body into the desired shape, particularly the female figure. They are also used in styling gowns made from lace or Ankara fabric.
3. Berets
In the 1960’s, the beret was often teamed with a black turtleneck and a love of literature. Styling a beret is not a job for the faint-hearted – the slouchy shape has to be carefully positioned on the head so that you don’t end up looking ridiculous. Berets are worn as part of the uniform of many military and police units worldwide, as well as other organizations.
4. Black turtleneck sleeve
Black roll necks were a sign of revolution worn by women, men, beatniks and Black Panthers in the 60’s, usually with a black beret for good measure. Unsurprisingly, they have stuck around ever since. Fit and finish is one of the keys to one’s outfit – you want something slim but not clingy and made from a soft natural wool like cashmere or merino.
5. Knee-high boots
Paired with the classic miniskirt, knee-high boots ruled the 1960s footwear scene alongside go-go boots. The go-go dancers were known for wearing knee-high boots. These boots are still popular in our wardrobes.
6. Crochet
Despite its humble origins, this trend is still absolutely everywhere. It’s odd to believe that the craft was originally used as a cheap substitute for traditional lace back in early 19th-Century Europe. One would have thought crochets were for grannies, but here we are – we now have a crochet of every wear for every age group. They come in different styles and can be used for dry seasons and beanies, cardigans for the rainy season.
7. Flared trousers
The late 1960s hippie look introduced the bell bottom pant in a host of denims, boho and flower prints and patterns. The 70s turned the bell bottom back into flares, a popular retro pant style today. However, by the tail end of the decade, flared styles took off as a more acceptable form of evening wear, their loose nature ensured they were seen as less revealing.
8. Off-the-shoulder top
Brigitte Bardot and fellow fashion icon Jane Birkin made the off-the-shoulder top a staple of women’s wardrobe in the 60s. The look was risqué but ideal for jetting off to the French Riviera. The top is still incredibly popular to this day.
9. Chelsea boots
Chelsea boots are close-fitting, ankle-high boots with an elastic side panel. They often have a loop or tab of fabric on the back of the boot, enabling the boots to be pulled on. The boots date back to 1851 (Queen Victoria wanted a laceless boot that wouldn’t get tangled up in her stirrups as she descended from her horse), but they changed from paddock boots to Chelsea boots. These boots are worn by men today.
10. Tie-dye
Tie-dye was popular in the 1960’s as Protest Art, then as Pop Fashion in the 70’s. These are the most notable tie-dye decades, but tie-dye is renewed each decade. This trend was embraced by free-spirited counterculturists breaking away from the traditional social mould, and it came to symbolize all things peace related. The idea of clothing as a form of protest gained traction, and many adopted a DIY approach, getting their hands dirty and creating their own tie-dye designs.
