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1960 to 1970

The 1960s were greatly transitional. The decade opened with a continuation of the 1950s silhouette but ten years later the look was the virtual opposite.

In the U.S. in 1961 John F. Kennedy took office as President, bringing with him a beautiful, young and fashion-inspiring wife as First Lady. Jackie Kennedy’s innate sense of style and dress soon made her ‘Queen’ of American fashion. The American designed short-jacketed sheath suits (at which U.S. based designer Oleg Cassini excelled) captured her passion for French couture style.

As the first wave of baby boomers came of age, the market shifted towards a more youthful silhouette. Teens dominated the fashion scene and in time adults adopted some of the looks of their offspring. The French ‘baby doll’ look personified by Brigitte Bardot comprised shorter skirts and big hair. Eventually this gave way to the ‘British Invasion’ or ‘Youthquake’ movement, with teens embracing the free and fun fashions of their London contemporaries. The “It” girl Twiggy was seen on the covers of most fashion magazines, slinking about in colorful shifts and space-age prints. This helped convince the majority of women in the mid 1960s to try the new styles.

The movement towards modernity was conscious and international. Italian designers like Pucci created psychedelic palettes of color, transforming wearers of simple silk knit gowns into walking works of art. American designers excelled in casual, uncomplicated sportswear chic. French couture (mostly under the influence of Yves Saint Laurent) explored other ideas; one of these borrowed pants and tuxedo jackets from menswear for the hip, liberated fashion-conscious woman. Some British designers even attempted to borrow the new mini skirt from women’s fashion for menswear. This met with considerably less success, if not a stony silence.

The times “they were a-changing” and fashion needed to follow suit. By 1967 the new fashion was scandalously baring more of the body than ever before – less is more, the modernist’s creed, was now true. Even the most conservative suits were cut above the knee. The old etiquette (remember gloves and hats?) was out the door. Balenciaga even gave up his house in 1967, proclaiming “Fashion is dead”.

Written by The Vintage Fashion Guild

1960s screen print dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s screen print dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s one shoulder party dress - Courtesy of denisbrain

1960s one shoulder party dress

Courtesy of denisbrain

1960s Bill Blass organza gown - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1960s Bill Blass organza gown

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1960s brocade cocktail dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s brocade cocktail dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Givenchy couture silk dress - Courtesy of pastperfetvintage.com

1960s Givenchy couture silk dress

Courtesy of pastperfetvintage.com

1960s Mr. Dino dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Mr. Dino dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Ceil Chapman silver brocade dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Ceil Chapman silver brocade dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Jean Muir silk dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Jean Muir silk dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Louis Feraud linen dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Louis Feraud linen dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Marjon Couture Lurex gown - Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Marjon Couture Lurex gown

Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Kiki Hart alaskine collar dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Kiki Hart alaskine collar dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Lilli Diamond cocktail dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Lilli Diamond cocktail dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Norman Norell wool dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1960s Norman Norell wool dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1960s Norman Norell wool dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Norman Norell wool dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s pop art dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s pop art dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Brenner Couture dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Brenner Couture dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Ungaro dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Ungaro dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960 Oleg Cassini wool suit - Courtesy of frockofages.com

1960 Oleg Cassini wool suit

Courtesy of frockofages.com

1960s Bonnie Cashin cashmere sweater - Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Bonnie Cashin cashmere sweater

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s sequin blouse - Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1960s sequin blouse

Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1960s Norman Norell silk dress set - Courtesy of pastperfect.com

1960s Norman Norell silk dress set

Courtesy of pastperfect.com

1960s Safari faux ocelot coat - Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Safari faux ocelot coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Irving Posluns Leopard jacket - Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s Irving Posluns Leopard jacket

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s Courreges jacket - Courtesy of endlessalley

1960s Courreges jacket

Courtesy of endlessalley

1960s Lilli Ann wool knit dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Lilli Ann wool knit dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Bonnie Cashin canvas coat - Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Bonnie Cashin canvas coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Whiting & Davis metal mesh and lucite purse - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Whiting & Davis metal mesh and lucite purse

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s tapestry purse - Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s tapestry purse

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s Leather School Italy handbag 24k gold trim - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Leather School Italy handbag 24k gold trim

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s vinyl purse - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s vinyl purse

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Emilio Pucci purse - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Emilio Pucci purse

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s patent leather gogo bag - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s patent leather gogo bag

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s vinyl purse and hat set - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s vinyl purse and hat set

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Christian Dior hat - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Christian Dior hat

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s tall crowned hat - Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s tall crowned hat

Courtesy of denisebrain

Taj of India silk shoes - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

Taj of India silk shoes

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Rayne patent leather shoes - Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Rayne patent leather shoes

Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Miss America suede shoes - Courtesy of noblevintage.com

1960s Miss America suede shoes

Courtesy of noblevintage.com

1960s boots - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s boots

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s canvas and patent leather boots - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s canvas and patent leather boots

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s lace up boots - Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1960s lace up boots

Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1960s Vanity Fair girdle - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Vanity Fair girdle

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s earrings - Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s earrings

Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s William de Lillo amber & rhinestone set - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s William de Lillo amber & rhinestone set

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s rhinestone necklace - Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s rhinestone necklace

Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s bathing suit - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s bathing suit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Sinz swimsuit - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Sinz swimsuit

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Sunmodes sunglasses - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s Sunmodes sunglasses

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1960s glasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s glasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Emilio Pucci sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Emilio Pucci sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Italian bug eye sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Italian bug eye sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s round eye sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s round eye sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban 'Playtime' sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban ‘Playtime’ sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L GF Aviator Sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L GF Aviator Sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Hardy Amies 3 piece suit - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s Hardy Amies 3 piece suit

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s sharkskin suit - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s sharkskin suit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1960s Jomaz brooch - Courtesy of linnscollection

early 1960s Jomaz brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

early 1960s Luis Estevez dress - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

early 1960s Luis Estevez dress

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1961 Hardy Amies suit - Courtedy of poppysvintageclothing

1961 Hardy Amies suit

Courtedy of poppysvintageclothing

1964 Trifari brooch - Courtesy of linnscollection

1964 Trifari brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1964-65 George Halley lace dress - Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1964-65 George Halley lace dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1965 Emilio Pucci jacket - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

1965 Emilio Pucci jacket

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

1966 tent coat dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1966 tent coat dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1967 Campell's soup paper dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

1967 Campell’s soup paper dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

1967 Marimekko dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

1967 Marimekko dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1967-68 'Youthquake' dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

1967-68 ‘Youthquake’ dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

1967-68 leather mini dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1967-68 leather mini dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1968 Universal Studios paper dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

1968 Universal Studios paper dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

late 1960s silk Pucci sundress - Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

late 1960s silk Pucci sundress

Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

late 1960s Emilio Pucci dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

late 1960s Emilio Pucci dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

late 1960s Emilio Pucci wool dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

late 1960s Emilio Pucci wool dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

late 1960s Henry Margu velvet & feather hat - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

late 1960s Henry Margu velvet & feather hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

late 1960s paper dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

late 1960s paper dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s screen print dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s one shoulder party dress

Courtesy of denisbrain

1960s Bill Blass organza gown

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1960s brocade cocktail dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s Givenchy couture silk dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1960s Mr. Dino dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Ceil Chapman silver brocade dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Jean Muir silk dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1960s Louis Feraud linen dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1960s Marjon Couture Lurex gown

Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Kiki Hart alaskine collar dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s Lilli Diamond cocktail dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s Norman Norell wool dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1960s Norman Norell wool dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s pop art dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s Brenner Couture dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Ungaro dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1960 Oleg Cassini wool suit

Courtesy of frockofages

1960s Bonnie Cashin cashmere sweater

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s sequin blouse

Courtesy of MagsRags Vintage

1960s Norman Norell silk dress set

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1960s Safari faux ocelot coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Irving Posluns Leopard jacket

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s Courreges jacket

Courtesy of endlessalley

1960s Lilli Ann wool knit dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Bonnie Cashin canvas coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1960s Whiting & Davis metal mesh and lucite purse

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s tapestry purse

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1960s Leather School Italy handbag 24k gold trim

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s vinyl purse

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Emilio Pucci purse

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s patent leather gogo bag

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s vinyl purse and hat set

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s Christian Dior hat

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1960s tall crowned hat

Courtesy of denisebrain

Taj of India silk shoes

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Rayne patent leather shoes

Courtesy of leonardodavintage

1960s Miss America suede shoes

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

1960s boots

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s canvas and patent leather boots

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s lace up boots

Courtesy of MagsRags Vintage

1960s Vanity Fair girdle

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s earrings

Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s William de Lillo amber & rhinestone set

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s rhinestone necklace

Courtesy of linnscollection

1960s bathing suit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Sinz swimsuit

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s Sunmodes sunglasses

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1960s glasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Emilio Pucci sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Italian bug eye sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s round eye sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban 'Playtime' sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L GF Aviator Sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s B&L Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1960s Hardy Amies 3 piece suit

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1960s sharkskin suit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1960s Jomaz brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

early 1960s Luis Estevez dress

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1961 Hardy Amies suit

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1964 Trifari brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1964-65 George Halley lace dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1965 Emilio Pucci jacket

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

1966 tent coat dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1967 Campell's soup paper dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

1967 Marimekko dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1967-68 'Youthquake' dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1967-68 leather mini dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1968 Universal Studios paper dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

late 1960s silk Pucci sundress

Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

late 1960s Emilio Pucci dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

late 1960s Emilio Pucci wool dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

late 1960s Henry Margu velvet & feather hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

late 1960s paper dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo