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The Swinging Sixties is known for major shifts in culture, politics, music, and fashion. Between second-wave feminism and the assassinations of major world leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Malcom X, the tumultuous decade had a direct connection with how people chose to express themselves through style.
The growing popularity of the bikini represented women embracing their bodies while the black turtleneck (like the one often worn by activist Kathleen Cleaver) became an icon for the Black Panther Party. Our modern-day struggles mirror the ’60s, so it only makes sense that there are so many fashion trends that continue to inspire us today. Miniskirts, fringe, bold florals, crochet, tie-dye and more were birthed from this decade, so let this roundup of iconic style moments serve as your mood board now.
1960
American-born French actress, Marpessa Dawn eloquently wears a fit and flare dress; The silhouette is a ’60s staple dress that will never go out of style.
1960s
Jayne Mansfield seen in a fitted pencil skirt and kitten heels, a quintessential ’60 outfit.
1960s
The Supremes is the sixties’ favorite girl group, wearing their nod to menswear style. These neckties were surely an inspiration for all of the cravats we saw down the fall 2020 runways.
1960s
Diahann Carroll struts a pose in a dress worn over pants.
1960s
The ’60s became a time for women to express themselves through clothing, which meant wearing pants more regularly, an item once taboo for women.
1960s
When Mary Quant invented the miniskirt, I am not sure she realized the lasting effect it would have on fashion today.
1961
Two dressed up ladies with somewhere to go.
1962
Sister, sister! Jackie Kennedy and Lee Radziwill both had impeccable style in the ’60s. File this under how to wear a headscarf in the daytime.
1963
Feeling feline? Elizabeth Taylor shows us how to wear head-to-toe leopard print with confidence.
1963
We can thank the 1963 movie, Beach Party, for the popularization of the bikini.
1963
These aren’t your regular skirt suits. With an exaggerated neckline and a dropped waist, these had extra flair.
1963
Travel in style with a cape to match your pants and leather gloves.
1964
Paisley print, an exaggerated collar, and a necktie is a smart look.
1964
Women of the ’60s were always dressed to the nines for cocktail hour.
1964
Floral shift dresses and headscarves for a casual day at the pool
1964
You could never get enough of high-waisted swimwear back in those days.
1964
Here’s a lesson in prints on prints done right.
1964
This pic is a throwback to one of Christian Dior’s fall-winter collections in the mid ’60s.
1965
Being prepared for the rain never looked so good in these fun rain jackets.
1965
Jean Shrimpton sitting pretty in a great work-from-home look.
1965
Hats off to The Supremes for being the crème de la crème of girl group style.
1965
Note: the LV monogram never goes out of style.
1966
Slime green was hot back in the ’60s.
1967
Does this bold floral set still exist, because I think we all need it now.
1967
Twiggy handling business like a boss in a menswear-inspired blazer.
1967
Minimalism existed in the ’60s, too.
1967
Mia Farrow in a Peter Pan collar dress.
1967
Big collars and big pink energy for the incomparable Sophia Loren.
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Kia Goosby is a Fashion Editor for Hearst Fashion Group, who forever loves Atlanta, R&B music, believes butter with a side of bread makes everything better, and just so happens to cover all things in fashion for her main 9 to 5.
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