Men's Fashion In The 1960s

1960s fashion was constantly changing throughout the eventful decade. The early sixties were more reminiscent of the 1950s — unadventurous and restrained, and during later years, innovative designs hit the fashion world like a great tsunami. Alteration of style and panache transpired during 1963. Throughout 1963, the young look took the world by surprise. In fact, any type of artificial look was abandoned swiftly. This look included knee-high skirts, sleeveless dresses, lower heels and close-cropped, natural hair. Large amounts of makeup and high heels were too contrived for the chic women of 1963. The most drastic change in men’s fashion during 1963 was the widespread acceptance of pants without pleats. I also saw distinct stripes on shirts,

sweaters, sports jackets, and ties during the year. The three-button suit was the most popular, but the two-button suit was gaining popularity rapidly. Men of means liked a soft Italian-style shoe. On the other hand, fashion in 1964 caused wild controversy, because of an inadequate trend of nudity that extended around the globe. I was not a supporter of the trend. First came deeply plunging necklines presented in Paris spring collections, then came American versions. The wave reached its crest with the creation of a provocative topless bathing suit by designer Rudi Gernreich. From there on out, dress manufacturers quickly shifted into gears, creating sheer-topped evening dresses with only the thinnest layer of flesh-colored net used for a bodice. The topless bathing suit caused various problems. For instance, I recall that a woman in Chicago was arrested for wearing it in public. Throughout the summer, the majority of civilians were disgusted, and statements concerning the scandalous design were published around the globe. For men, the accent was on a young appearance. Suit colors were brighter and more luminous, and suit coats and sport jackets were shorter, with wider lapels, and trousers were often unruffled. A wider stripe appeared on shirts, and striped designs were widespread in sweaters. Afterwards, during 1965, the mood of fashion was young. A remarkable, young designer from France, André Courrèges, designed a fresh, and bold look. André Courrèges’ ideas influenced nearly every facet of fashion in 1965. He introduced a series of square cut dresses, and flat white boots that offered a marvelous look. Over time, fashion designers revolted against tradition. In the beginning of 1966, a new mod look spread like wildfire. The word “mod” defines a young person in the sixties of a subculture characterized by stylish garb, the riding of motor scooters, and a fondness for soul music. The notorious mod look required miniskirts and pale colored fishnet or lacy textured hosiery, cut-out truncated heeled shoes, masculine jackets, and ties. Accessories included over-the-shoulder handbags and lurid jewelry, which fluctuated from historic pins to contemporary styled geometric earrings. Young men also went mod via low slung, extensive belted, lean, fitted slacks, to which they added extra-wide, flamboyant printed ties that contrasted with the wallpaper floral designs of their shirts. Vests, London caps, boots, and narrow Carnaby jackets were also worn by the young men who took part in the revolt against old-fashioned men’s clothes and conservative ways. The military look was also prevalent during this state-of-the-art interval of 1966, it consisted of army pockets, brass buttons, epaulettes, and trench coat treatments that were featured on coats, suits, and sportswear. In 1967, fashionistas fell in love with the leg. Short skirts worn higher beyond the knee gave legs coverage they hadn’t seen in years. Women took advantage of the extra leg room by pulling on some colored and decorative hose. Females wore fishnet, spidery weaves, and lace, and fancied tall boots as a hip way to conceal their legs; high-rise stretch vinyl and patent leather provided a glove-like fit. They also sported glossy black and brown knee boots. In addition to leg, the fashion world fell in love with Twiggy, the scrawny 17-year-old British model who ruptured upon the scene, adorned every magazine cover and brought the phase of the mini-mod to the forefront. In men’s fashion, the mood departed somewhat from the mod of Carnaby Street, nonetheless, the British look was still apparent.

Turtleneck sweaters were an imperative trend, eliminating the necessity of a tie. The more intrepid sported a turtleneck under dinner jackets for casual elegance. In 1968, the fashion industry was stripped of its dictatorial influence by a radical assertion of individualism. I believe that 1968 was the most remarkable year in terms of the era of 1960s fashion. The catch phrase “do your own thing” was put into practice when men and women decided they no longer had to follow to what designers put in front of them. People were creating their own styles to match their own traits, characteristics, personalities and mood. Accessories dominated outfits, often times overshadowing the clothing in importance. The Bonnie and Clyde movie triggered nostalgia for the 1930s; I evoke pinstriped suits and gangster hats popping up here and there, looking like people walked right off a period movie set. The most colorful, vulgar and expressive trends evolved from the outfits scavenged from thrift stores by hippies. Even wealthy women adopted the hippie look in extravagant fabrics, furs and jewels. It was a nomadic mix of ethnic and legend-inspired

garb. Gaucho pants, and, especially, vests. Men fashion in 1968 reflected the growing tendency to mix and match a wide variety of materials, styles and accessories. During 1968, the term “unisex” was first used in Life, an American magazine that ran weekly during 1968. The term was coined for fashion styles that both men and women could enjoy equally. 1968 was an exhilarating period of time for both genders. In 1969, a woman wanted to look lean, linear and long. Women became even more body conscious. The sometimes amusing, habitually edgy and nearly always mini-skirted girl of recent years grew up tremendously. Her fashion image became more feminine, sensuous and sophisticated. For instance, she wore softer, clinging clothing. Sweaters and sweater dresses now hugged every part of her figure, particularly around the ribs, waist and hips. Principally, she had liberty to choose from an unprecedented variety of hemlines. The lengthy, thin line was the most recognizable fashion trend in 1969. In addition to new fabrics that did nothing to hide the figure, stylists speckled color recklessly on them. Tie dye and ink-splatter had broken into the mainstream. “The Skinny Sixties” was a fitting term for the later stages of the decade, as women looked for clothes that would give them a tall, slim body. Elongation was accomplished by protracted skirts, long, straight-cut pants, or, if a woman had long legs herself, they were emphasized by sheer dark tights. Accessories flourished in fantasy, especially with young people. They did not have the funds for diamonds, so they relished linked metals, chain belts, tassels, snake rings, snake bracelets and arm bracelets. All in all, the 1960s fashion had its ups and downs. The decade was an extremely vital time for the revolution of style, and for the prominent feeling of self-determination that many have today. Individuals of today feel free to express themselves in an outspoken manner with their diverse panache that expresses their traits, personality, and mentality in a way that no words can, thanks to the 1960s fashion revolution.

The avant-garde sports era of the 1960s was bizarre; records were set, rules were changed, and athletes played greater than anyone beforehand.

In the course of the 1960s, football, basketball, baseball, and boxing reigned as America's most esteemed sports. The most popular sporting event in the United States of America, the NFL Super Bowl, was first played on January 15, 1967. It was not acknowledged at the time (the initial Super Bowl was not even sold out), but football rapidly headed towards developing into the most prominent sport in America. All it required was a name, seemingly. The notorious Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl, and stole the hearts of numerous individuals, including mine, as they ruled as titleholders. On the flip side, only one team mattered in professional basketball: The Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics won 9 of the 10 possible championships to be won in the sixties, that is domination that I’ve under no circumstances seen in professional sports ever since. Correspondingly, Wilt Chamberlain was a gigantic deal in the sixties, literally. At a height of 7’ 11” and a weight of 276 pounds, Wilt Chamberlain was basketball's inexorable force – the most breathtaking offensive force the game has ever seen. Requested to name the utmost players ever to play basketball, most fans and aficionados, including me, would put Wilt Chamberlain at or near the top of the list. On the other hand, baseball was subjugated by the Yankees in the first few

seasons of the 1960s, but after 1965, we never heard from them again. In the late 1960s, pitching ruled the game, as guys like Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax conquered the game so much that rules were changed. Additionally, one of baseball's first expansion teams, the New York Mets, were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League teams; the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants. The Mets' colors include the Dodgers' blue and the Giants' orange, which also comprises the outer two bands of the New York City flag. In their 1962 inaugural season, the Mets posted a record of 40–120, the worst regular season record since M.L.B went to a 162-game schedule. The team never ended superior than second to last place up until the 1969 "Miracle Mets" shattered the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series in what is considered one of the largest upsets in World Series history. Furthermore, in the 1960s, boxing was maintained by the infamous Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali not only dazzled audiences with his state-of-the-art fighting techniques, but he also stirred up the pot with his words. In the sixties, race was being pushed to the forefront and Ali was never a guy to hold back his thoughts. Muhammad Ali became an Olympic gold medalist in 1960, and the world heavyweight boxing champion in 1964. In summary, the 1960s sports decade was a notable time. Athletes and new-found teams broke records, shattered the minds of many, and deliberately played sports in an extraordinary manner. Athletes such as Muhammad Ali expressed their thoughts in an unprejudiced way that remarked on the fundamental events of the sixties, and overall society and culture during that time period.