Mod Fashion Styles in 1960

To offer a bit of history, the Mod fashion era actually began in the late 1950's era starting with the artistic, creative beatniks, and eventually gained popularity in the 1960's.  Fashion historians have traced the fashion back to two subcultures in the United Kingdom.  The two youth cultures were the British Rockers and the British Mods (Mods for Modernist).  The easiest way to describe these two groups would be to define them as follows:

Mods:  The listened to modern Jazz, Soul and R&B; rode Vespa and Lambretta or other types of Motor Scooters; and their style was Tailored and upper-end boutique designer fashions.

Rockers:  This group were considered rebels.  They listened to rock and roll music; rode motor cycles; and their fashion style included leather jackets jeans.  It is said that their "will" crossed society wills to the point that they damaged the reputation of people who rode motor cycles. 

 

Twiggy - Model

 

 



Hair was a statement in and of itself.  Hair was big!  Big flips, big up-do's and big bobs.  In some cases hair pieces were added to create a coiffed bouffant hair style; at least, until a young thin model named Twiggy appeared in the latest fashion magazines of the time.




 

A feminine nod to '60s mod Fall 2011 Winter 2012: Prada, Alberta Ferretti, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Marni

Mod fashions were tasteful, boutique styles with balanced designs, esthetically pleasing colors that coordinated and contrasted; as well as, geometrical designs and prints.  Mod styles are designed with sleek lines and simple silhouettes. The mini skirt, shift dresses, knee-high boots or socks, tailored coats and graphic prints are just a few hallmarks of mod fashion. Drop-waist jackets, shift dresses and colorful, flashy accessories also characterize the look.

Mrs. Vamp Vintage Wear

StraylightVintage

daisyandstella

VintageDiva60

prettyinprague

TheCarnabetianArmy

Mod Jewelry was equally interesting, and bold in both color and size.  Large Hoop Earrings, big flowers in contrasting colors (often called flower power), big bead chokers, bright colored bibs and long opera length multi strand chains with bobbles and pendants, always oversized.

Bert Stern Earrings

It was not unusual for the jewelry to be made of plastics or bakelite.  The jewelry for the late 1960's - 1970's Mod era were often heavily patterned with geometric designs.

SoCalJewelBox

RedGarnetVintage

TreasuredGlitz

LadyandLibrarian

 And then, there was the Wild and Crazy MOD Fashions that were very short lived.  Fashions made of paper, Martian style headwear, and more!

It was a fun era for fashionistas.  The fabrics were changing.  The patterns and colors were exciting, and there was a feeling that the clothing and accessories were a sort of rebellion from the conservative fashion ideals of the establishment.

‘60 space age fashion by Pierre Cardin.

 Fashion designers in the late 1960's - 1970's took creative license when designing new fashions.  Many of the designs changed what fashion would look like right through the year 2000.