The fashion of the 60s renewed men's interest in clothing. It is also the fad of the space age and hippy movement. But above all it is the fashion of youth.
For the first time, it is young people who are setting trends rather than simply following them. That makes the way of dressing change. The youthquake or jovemoto had exploded, which had as a consequence more casual clothing and a creative use of color.
Modernity
The beginning of the 1960s is a happy and optimistic time. Influenced by technological development, fashion acquires greater dynamism and modernity. The liberation of women encourages the emergence of miniskirts and minidresses. Futuristic garments made with plastic and metallic fabrics are launched. Designers like Mary Quant, André Courrèges and Yves Saint Laurent fully understand the new mindset in their designs.
Men's clothing stores expand their offer in abstract and geometric patterned shirts and ties, zip-up blazers, tight and straight trousers, odalisque trousers, faux fur coats, corduroy suits, patent leather boots and belts, and sleeveless knitted tunics.
What were suits like in the 60s?
Despite the tendency to think that the sober suits of the 50s have completely disappeared, serious dressing was still a requirement in work environments. However, they did find stiff competition in a new range of styles. Men's fashion caught up with light-colored and patterned suits. With single-breasted and a tighter cut, they allowed to mark the masculine forms. Wider collars, lapels, belts and ties appear, as well as low-heeled shoes. The 'Mad Men' series shows very well how both styles coexisted with total naturalness: the classic and the modern.
Eager to be up to date, young people of the time formed fresh combinations that played with color and patterns. For example, they could combine a sober blazer with skinny pants in a bright color and light shoes.
Relaxation of dress codes is not equally attractive to everyone. New dandies seek distinction through garments such as long frock coats, raised collars and large bow ties.. They also use walking sticks, gloves and handkerchiefs in their pockets as accessories in their elegant outfits.
The groundbreaking style of the singers
Menswear and music go hand in hand in the 60s. Treated like heroes, singers are the stars of both the charts and fashion. And designers are inspired by the clothes of famous people to develop their collections.
The music industry is an inexhaustible pool of new style icons: Rolling Stones, The Who, The Animals, The Doors ... But it's the Beatles who have the biggest impact on the way they dress with their matching outfits, horseshoe mustaches and round haircuts. The young people of Europe and America do not hesitate to imitate their latest styles.
John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr wear T-shirts and scarves under suit jackets as substitutes for shirts and ties. Among many other things, they also include military jackets and caps in their outfits. In each appearance they experiment with clothes in a way never seen before, offering tons of inspiration to his followers.
New menswear stores are opening non-stop, especially in London. Modern men can find fun clothes in little shops like those worn by famous singers, actors and models. Prices are more affordable than on Savile Row, which helps shopping become a hobby for kids too.
Flower Power
Throughout the decade, and despite the arrival of man on the Moon in 1969, joy and optimism fade. One of the causes is the lengthening of the Vietnam War. Born in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, San Francisco, in 1967, the hippy movement protests against the war. In 1968 the musical 'Hair' was released. And in 1969 the Woodstock Festival is celebrated.
His philosophy of peace, love and freedom spreads throughout the world. So does his style, inspired by pacifist ideas and nature, as well as new cultures and experiences. Hippies wear relaxed, often second-hand clothing that they personalize with embroidery and appliqués to express individualism. Many grow their hair and beards.
With a preference for natural fiber fabrics, hippies wear items such as bell bottoms and elephant foot pants, Afghan goatskin vests, fringed suede jackets and kaftans. The accessories include beads and beads and headbands and scarves. They invent psychedelic prints. They defend unisex fashion. For the first time you can see men and women dressed in the same neutral garments.