The Sixties. The Decade that broke the fashion traditions.

Early 1960s fashion resembled the classy 50s look and the first televised Presidential Debate landed Jackie Kennedy as a global fashion icon. Clothing was always sophisticated but lacked colours and patterns. American films filled with glamorous fashion were influential in inspiring trends in the early 60s.

Reaching 1963, the youth of the decade needed their own style. The Beatles heyday had begun and Mary Quants’ mini skirt broke out, with a newly discovered ‘It’ girl going by the name of Twiggy, gracing all fashion magazine covers and  fashion icons being the youth of London, The Mods.

The Mod fashion was heavily influenced by pop culture especially British musical influence such as The Beatles and The Who. Twiggy and Mia Farrow inspired girls to take on a more androgynous look with the popular pixie cut. Miniskirts, colourful patterns, go-go boots ,Fred Perry, Levi jeans and the classic ribbed polo neck sweater were all staple garments of Mod fashion.

Holding onto the bright colours and patterns that had arisen mid-60s, the next movement of fashion took a liberal and less restricted approach. The hippie style developed late sixties with flowing tunics and wide flared trousers taking alongside the popular Joni Mitchell.

Family friend Anita, who grew up as a young adult in 60s, helped give a personal insight to the fashion of this decade:

Favourite fashion trend of the 60s?                                                                             

"I loved the shift dress and increasingly shorter hemlines!”

   Biggest fashion faux pas?

“Possibly a hat, an emerald green pillbox hat that tied in a bow under the chin!”

   Fashion icon?

“Mary Quant, she designed great, very different shoes and boots which went brilliantly with shift dresses.”

influenced your fashion choices?

“Pop stars on Top of the Pops such as Cilla Black and the magazine called Nova."

“In the 50s teenagers wore what their mothers told them to wear. There were rules and regulations about everything. I was all for kicking over the traces… the 60s were good for that.”