If you think about the 1960s, whether you experienced that decade firsthand or not, the first thing that probably comes to mind is color. Lots of bold, bright colors, eye-catching graphic designs, and big, loud patterns.
Maybe they seem a little over the top now, but those bold graphic prints and blazing colors were the daring jolt that so defined the youth of those years.
They were looking for something new, and the new look, aptly called the "mod" look, was just what they needed to express a new era with new ideas and new trends.
The fashion of the times reflected a lot that was going on in the world. The bold and graphic prints reflected modern art being created by Warhol and Lichtenstein.
Short hemlines and pants reflected the evolving and growing roles of women outside of the home. And use of materials like plastics reflected technological advances.
And of course, under it all, there was a spirit of freedom and individualism, exemplified by a laid-back, beachy vibe that looks like a Beach Boys song come to life.
Check out some of the great, colorful ads that came out during this tumultuous decade. If you were around for it, did you have any clothes like this? And if you weren't, would you wear this style?
[H/T: Vintage Everyday]
The 1960s saw a whole new aesthetic take flight, full of eye-popping patterns and contrasting colors.
It was a departure from the more demure looks of the 1950s and reflected the bold changes in society that the younger generations were pushing for.
Besides reflecting the look of the day, which included a lot of big, black mascara and bright or very pale lips, the ads also reflected new innovations in technology, like this clear vinyl visor the model is wearing in an ad for color-changing lipstick.
And it wasn't just clothing and makeup. Interior decor like bedding, upholstery, and wallpaper got a dose of the bright and graphic, too.
And as this ad suggests, you could even get a bath robe to match your linens. Pretty sweet!
Not only were there tons of new colors everywhere, but women's clothing was coming out in new shapes, too.
As more and more women started working outside of the home and more young women pushed for different types of careers, skirts and dresses became shorter, simpler, and less fussy.
The fashions even made their way into ads you might not associate with fashion, like this one for a Honda motorcycle.
And sometimes, ads also incorporated these fantastic cartoon images, full of sweeping lines and curves, and of course, plenty of color. Even though they were still images, they seem to move with a life of their own.
Other ads referenced world events and even made fun of them a bit. With the Cold War underpinning almost everything, this ad for Smirnoff references space exploration as well as the concerns about the Soviet Union.
And of course, it's all topped off with a fabulous beehive.
This ad from the earlier part of the decade is all about the usefulness and versatility of polyester, which was a huge hit due to the fact that it didn't have to be ironed and was lightweight and inexpensive.
And check out that pattern. There's some pretty amazing hair happening, too.
In fact, all kinds of synthetic fabrics were coming out, like these classically mod, bell-shaped dresses from Mary Quant in something called "terylene."
And of course, you couldn't forget your matching tights!
Another Honda ad from 1967 shows off a pink-and-yellow checkered dress, which doesn't seem like great motorcycle wear, but it sure is cute.
Up at the top shows a little bit of the psychedelia that would become so prevalent over the next few years.
The swirling patterns even found their way onto other things, like the containers for this Avon makeup collection.
Aptly called "Patterns," the spirit behind this collection was all about moving forward and progressing, which reflected the values of the time.
Something you don't see very much any more, at least outside of the lap lane, are swimming caps, and especially not the thick, rubber, rip-your-hair-out kind.
However, if you wanted to look like a pineapple at the beach, this was your time.
Of course, times were changing, even at the beach. Bathing suits were also evolving to be more streamlined and sporty, although these would still be considered bulky by today's standards.
But you can see the beginnings of the modern bikini, which was just beginning to become popular.
The poses of the models started to change, too. Female models have long been used to sell all kinds of items, but these gals are a little less pretty and docile, and a little more confident and independent, a stance more and more women were finding appealing.
But there was still a long way to go on the sexism front, and companies like airlines would routinely use the promise of cute female flight attendants to appeal to men, who they still assumed would be purchasing most of their tickets.
Of course, with uniforms in these colors, you'd always know where a flight attendant was.
But clothing didn't need to be colorful to be striking. These black-and-white dresses are certainly eye-catching and very short!
The good thing about them? They go with everything!
And if you didn't want a short skirt, shorts and pants were becoming more and more popular for women, too, as were relaxed-fit, looser-cut clothing.
What's your favorite look from this decade? Did we miss it? Are these fashions something you wish would come back, or something you'd prefer to stay in the past? Let us know in the comments!
And don't forget to SHARE with anyone who remembers the '60s fondly, or just loves some vintage fashion!
