From hippie styles to dandyism, the 1960s created an era of dynamic change in men’s fashion. Dark hues and structured silhouettes gave way to vibrant colors, relaxed looks, and non-conformist fashion as young people rebelled against social norms.
Mad Men made fashionable suits and slim ties synonymous with Don Draper, but the style goes further back. Mod-influenced casual shirts featured pastel colors, standout stripes, and vibrant plaid patterns – not unlike what Don wore.
Business Attire
Men’s business styles remained fairly conservative until about the mid-60s, when hippie culture began influencing the fashion world. European influences became apparent as herringbone, tartan, and seersucker fabrics became fashionable alongside narrow stripes or polka dots on shirts; two or even three-button jackets gave way to single buttons; broad, boxy shoulders of the 40s and 50s gave way to slimmer shoulder pads.
Suits were still popular office wear options but with slimmer fits and lighter colors. Men often paired patterned or striped shirts with their suit jackets and pants for office attire; shirt collars could either be pointed or rounded depending on lapel width; an extra layer of warmth was often added using wool, cotton, or twill sports coats worn over their suits.
Men dressed down their suits for weekend casual wear in the 1960s, and this can be easily replicated today. Wear a dark blue or grey sportcoat over jeans with a striped, checked, plain shirt, and slim tie; accessorize with either tie clips or cufflinks for an accessible replica of this look.
An informal look for lunch with friends or at a bar with your girlfriend could include switching out a blazer for a jacket. When selecting fabric options such as wool, cashmere, linen, or cotton – as long as its fit is tailored but not tight; colors should predominate over patterns – though plaids are acceptable patterns to look out for! For something more formal, you could wear either a tuxedo for dinner events or a black blazer at semi-formal functions.
Don Draper epitomized the well-dressed businessman during the Mad Men era. To emulate this style, wear a slim-fitting gray or blue suit with a narrow lapel, and pair it with white dress shirt featuring any variety of stripes, dots, tartans, or patterns (such as tiger skin or leopard spots), as well, as a skinny tie. For an authentic 1960s style businessman look.
Casual Attire
The early 1960s marked a shift in men’s attire for work and social events. While suits still were the standard business attire, they featured lighter fabrics like merino and cashmere wools with slimmer lapels and narrow shoulders than usual for suits of this era. Anyone familiar with Mad Men can attest that this more informal tailoring remains timeless today.
At night and on weekends, men favored more relaxed attire. Dress shirts were replaced by cardigan sweaters while suits and sport coats were left behind to create an informal yet relaxed appearance. Men typically paired dark or light denim jeans with button-down shirts featuring stripes or T-shirts of various widths, mock neck knit shirts/tunics/wide-striped ringer tees/pastel-colored polo shirts; final touches might include lace-up sneakers/canvas loafers/penny loafers to complete their look.
Teenagers embraced this casual look as well. They would wear clothing such as plaid shirts or wide striped knit shirts with button down collars and straight-leg pants, along with dark solid color or pattern jackets. Varsity stripe sweaters were another favorite choice worn with jeans, trousers, or skirts, and loafers or penny loafers – something no teenage boy today could pull off without looking ridiculous!
At this time, the notion of masculinity began to shift as young people sought ways to express themselves through music and fashion. A counterculture movement known as hippie embraced earthy colors and flowing fabrics to challenge outdated notions of masculinity.
So how can today’s men evoke the 1960s fashion style? To achieve a mod look, begin with a button-down shirt and slim-fit trousers, add Chelsea boots, then top off your ensemble with a fedora/beanie, shades, and accessories – the key is keeping everything looking put-together but effortless!
Hippie Attire
In the 1960s, several revolutionary fashion movements occurred, such as a hippie movement that challenged the conventions of men’s clothing. This resulted in looser clothing celebrating free-spirited ideology. Elements included long loose hair, bare feet and flowing fabrics inspired by nature, as well as wide bell-like pants and tie dyed tees with colorful tie dyeing designs inspired by nature. Moccasins were usually made of leather featuring beadwork; leather belts featuring peace symbols or chains were often worn for added sartorial flair; many hippies also transformed their jeans into short shorts or above-knee skirts for added effect!
Hippie pants were distinguished by a broad and flared-out bottom leg or even above the ankle, worn by both men and women and available in various fabrics and colors. Popular choices were denim; however other options include wool velvet, or cotton pique. Rip or tear repairs often added an authentic feel.
Men’s t-shirts and blouses were often loose fitting or sleeveless, often decorated with flowers, trees, peace signs or other natural imagery such as leaves. Ties could be tied at the waist for additional tie up options or left untucked altogether; plain T-shirts were acceptable too, although dyed or painted ones would add even more character and show your true hippie colors!
Hoodies may not be traditional hippie garb, but you could wear one in hot conditions to stay calm. A jacket would also do nicely to show your hippie credentials. Denim jackets are most commonly seen, while leather and army coats could also work just as well. Cotton peasant jackets with embroidered or stenciled designs would also make for appropriate clothing choices.
Hippies were notoriously eclectic dressers who combined elements from pirate, dandy, Western, and circus styles into their ensembles. They loved mixing patterns to achieve an artistic, psychedelic effect. Additionally, beaded necklaces, leather cuffs, and scarves were musts, while many adorned their outfits with peace signs or sought inspiration from musicians like Jimi Hendrix when selecting their clothing choices.
Beatnik Attire
People often associate the stereotype of beatniks with bohemian ladies wearing beret hats and men sporting goatees or mustaches; however, this image doesn’t accurately portray this social movement’s members or those influenced by its counterculture ideology. The beatnik movement began out of an opposing to old concepts of masculinity as well as its associated expectations within society.
The Beatniks embraced an unconventional lifestyle and were willing to break from tradition regarding their clothing choices. This counterculture group often preferred black as an expression of nonconformist beliefs. Additionally, this clothing choice allowed for easy, comfortable dressing without adhering too closely to tradition.
Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac were two iconic beatniks who donned a semi-casual uniform consisting of slacks, button down shirts, and sport coats – a style easily imitated today by men looking to add some of the beatniks look into their attire. A fedora hat, berets or poetry notebooks, and bongo drums will help complete this look!
Slim styles were highly fashionable during the 1960s, featuring vibrant pops of color that signaled an end to more subdued greys and browns that had previously been dominant. Men could also choose from an extensive range of knitted sweaters featuring wild patterns on them.
At the start of this decade, skinny ties became an integral part of fashion in London and other European cities, nodding towards mod style. Many men chose to pair these colorful woolen ties with formal suits for added rebellion in their traditional looks.
Skinny jeans were an iconic fashion trend of the 60s. Wearing tight-fitting trousers had been increasingly fashionable over time; skinny jeans provided an alternative. Hippies began sporting this fashion statement first before beatniks picked up on it as well.
