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A Fashionable History: 60s Edition September 20, 2019 by Rachel – Algonquin College

Make fashion, not war, with our 60s fashion guide!

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I ll just say it: I absolutely love 1960s fashion. But why? , you might ask. They gave us go-go boots and paper dresses! you might cry. They are responsible for tie-dyed everything! you might wail. Or you might not. I don t know. You might be pretty chill about the whole thing.

The reason, though, is that the 60s (despite some strange style choices) made a huge impact on the fashion world. The decade marked a time of great social change and the styles reflect what was happening in the world. 

Below, I ll share an overview of 60s fashion and show you how to get a 60s look in a modern way. Read on to check it out!

The 1960s marked a shift of power in the fashion industry. Rather than fashion designers being the only ones dictating trends, suddenly younger people had a huge amount of influence over what was or wasn t in style. This lead to the creation of styles tailored specifically for young people. Designers started attuning looks to younger generations, giving them a fashion scene all their own. Combined with this was the shift that made London rather than Paris the center of the fashion world. (For more detail on this, see our post on the History of the Miniskirt.)

Moving away from the prim, polished pastels of the 50s, men and women added more bold color to their wardrobes, women began wearing pants regularly, and all styles became increasingly diverse. Jackie Kennedy was a fashion icon of the early 60s, followed by Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy later in the decade. In the mid 60s, mods and rockers set fashion trends in London that would soon spread across the world, and designer Mary Quant raised skirts to new heights.

Finally, the late ’60s gave us the beginning of the hippie movement that would carry over into the 1970s. I hope you’ll forgive me for not including any hippie-chic looks this time around – you will be all hippie-d out after our ’70s article!

This is one of the more unconventional outfits put together during this series, but the bikini has major roots in the 1960s, and with summer swiftly fading away into Autumnal weather, it might be worth one last pool party.

This high waisted bikini pulls back plenty of retro vibes, which is why I stuck with the classic cherry red and black combo. The earrings in particular pull at modern art styles, which grew increasingly popular during the decade.

Fun fact about the bikini: It was originally a hot item in the 1940s due to French designers and limited fabric supplies, but it didn t properly take until the 1960s when demand skyrocketed. The swimsuit itself was named at Bikini Atoll (the nuclear test site), and was adopted into pop culture due to its appearance in popular films at the time.

Every decade has its own set of feminine ideals. The 60s were about innovating and pursuing futuristic ideas, while pushing forward for self-sufficiency. Women were finally on the up for the first time in the century, which impacted fashion.

In the 60s, the shift dress took away the body forming dresses and restrictive undergarments of previous decades. Women were reclaiming bodies by means of these shapeless dresses turned fashion items, and pairing them with classic items like Go-Go boots and trendy eyeliner.

While the eyeshadow is a bit darker than the typical eye makeup shades you would have seen in the 60s, the shade is called Psychedelic Sister, a pretty good calling card for the later years of the decade.

Just in case the first outfit was a little risky, this is a much more seasonally friendly one to dip into, pulling at classic items of the period.

This miniskirt is the perfect hallmark of the decade, paired with a snug turtleneck to fight off the chill. While an outfit like this can be perfect for class, it would also be a great going-out one as well, matched with a pair of tights for later in the evening.

This strays far enough away from the standard Jackie O look, while tying in enough elements to be functional and classic.

Are you planning to incorporate it into your look this year? Are there any 60s fashion trends you think I should have included? Let us know in the comments, we d love to hear from you!

Editor s note: This post was originally published in 2016; it was completely updated and revamped in 2019 with new photos and information.

Outfit 1 doesn t load 🙁
It is pretty original to use the men versión of mod style when it comes to posts about 60 fashion and i love it! I think i can actual y wear it for work

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A Fashionable History: 50s Edition September 6, 2019 by Rachel – Algonquin College

Here s how to give your look a truly vintage twist.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

When you think about 1950s fashion, a few stereotypes may immediately spring to mind. Maybe you think of poodle skirts and saddle shoes, or the ever infamous bullet bra, or even the stereotypical 50s housewife, cleaning the house in her heels and pearls. 

Unlike with the 90s, which are having a distinct comeback at the moment, it may be difficult to see how 50s styles can fit into your everyday style. But 50s fashion has actually bypassed being a fad, as elements of it are so classic that they ve become commonplace.  

As usual, we ll start below with some background on 50s fashion. Then we ll get to the fun stuff and show how you can make 50s fashion work for you.

The 50s bridged the gap between the reserved and conservative styles of the late 40s and the fun and quirky looks that would define 1960s fashion. Hemlines grew shorter, waistlines wandered up and down, before disappearing completely, and the West seemed obsessed with making up for wartime limitations with excessive glamour and consumerism. 

After wearing very masculine clothing during the Second World War, women opted for exaggerated, stereotypical displays of femininity in the 1950s. The starlets of the time were known for their hourglass figures (think Marilyn Monroe) and many women regularly wore girdles to nip in their waists and bellies.

Much of the fashion in the 1950s was about structure and rules. Women wore shoes that matched their handbags and earrings that matched their necklaces. Their clothing was also literally structured you didn t see many maxi dresses or slouchy cardigans back then!

Though not as diverse as many of the decades that would follow it, the 50s saw a great deal of change in style from beginning to end. With WWII and the rationing and sensible styles it brought having coming to an end, the fashion world struggled to find a new look for the world in which it found itself.

Fashion, then, went in two distinct directions. On the one hand, the fashion houses promoted more conformity in how people should dress and look, with the elegant and structured but simple styles discussed above. On the other hand, teens were responsible for the creation of rebellious subcultures that created unique styles of their own, like Teddy Boys, Greasers, Hepcats, and even Beatniks. 

Makeup was an absolute necessity for the fifties lady and this was the decade where fun products started taking over the market. You could buy a powder compact shaped like just about anything, from pool balls to pianos, and lipstick came in all sorts of fun new colors. Women also began to embrace full, dark brows (think Audrey Hepburn).

As fun as it was, however, there were very strict rules surrounding makeup. Magazines in the fifties would be full of instructions on what sort of makeup should be worn for every possible occasion and a true lady was expected to always have her makeup on. Though the messaging is less overt now, there are still many women who feel as though they re expected to wear makeup, so it s clear that the marketing messages of the 50s are still having an effect.

If you re like me, you thoroughly enjoy applying your makeup in the morning if that s you, too, cool. But always remember that it s a luxury, not an obligation. At the end of the day, you should only wear makeup if YOU want to. Your face and what you put on it is your choice, and yours alone!

Whether you prefer the prim and proper side of the 50s or the new and rebellious looks it brought about, there s a way to incorporate a little 50s into your own style.

By building off of traditional 50s trends, it is super easy to bring back parts of the decade to your wardrobe, while still looking cute and modern.

This look takes the traditional (and trendy) twinset and pairs it with a basic A-Line skirt, creating a timeless silhouette. These colors reflect the autumnal shift in season, while providing simple layers for the lingering heat of the summer.

Finally, a basic pearl necklace and pair of heels help complete this outfit, summoning the magic of the decade in a modern way.

While women of the 1950s pursued new fashion trends that dipped into more dramatic spheres, fashion was also building off of Victorian and Edwardian historical influences. It s like the saying, fashion keeps coming back every twenty years or so.

So, while the post-war years were focused on full skirts and padded shoulders (making the most of restored access to materials, with the Second World War finished), it was also the decade of narrowing the waist. Without corsets, which did not return to fashion, women were using different cuts of their clothing to accent their waists.

This look contrasts the first style, in that it s chicer and closer to the body. The pale color of the dress is very 50s and complements the black Oxford heels. The coat is tied at the waist, bringing the emphasis to your mid-section in a very 50s way.

Finally, a retro-inspired lip color pulls this look together, as does the mauve toned blush.

If you ever have an opportunity to learn traditional Rockabilly Jive dance, do it. It s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the music and spirit of the 50s, while relieving stress and getting some exercise.

To sum up the modern understanding of Rockabilly fashion, it s a combination of 50s music and fashion, intertwined with rock, country and parts of punk aesthetics. Basically, it manages to include a diverse group of themes, making it accessible as a unique genre that is still active today.

For this look, I ve created a rockabilly inspired outfit for an edgy take on the 50s styles. To get it, don some hair accessories, a full-bodied dress with a funky pattern, and a bold swipe of black liner.

Lastly, I chose a pair of plain wedges to allow for easy movement. Often, I include heels with these looks, so this is an alternative for those of you who prefer comfort first.

Are you planning to incorporate it into your look this year? Are there any 1950s fashion trends you think I should have included? What s your favorite 50s look? Let us know in the comments, we d love to hear from you!

Editor s note: This post was originally published in 2016; it was completely updated and revamped in 2019 with new photos and information.