Fashion designers broke new ground in the 1960s by combining established techniques with new, space-age materials. Plastic, fur, and colorful fabrics all came to define the decade, but some styles are remembered more fondly than others. Here are 18 out-there 1960s outfits that are questionable fashion choices these days!
Space-Age Clothes
As stated by the JFKlibrary, in 1962, John F. Kennedy swore that America would reach the moon by the end of the decade. This optimism ushered in a new era of space-age culture and fashion. However, we’re glad that these futuristic jumpsuits and plastic helmets are, in reality, a thing of the past.
Tie-Dyed Shirts
Tie-dyed clothing was closely related to the hippy movement of the 1960s and beyond, but it’s fallen out of vogue in the intervening years. These hand-crafted garments can still impress, but they’re not exactly fashionable. They might have been the height of cool, but modern wearers risk looking like clowns.
PVC Outfits
Sixties fashion was full of bright (and not so bright) ideas. For instance, it’s unclear why anyone decided to dress head to toe in a material that’s commonly used to make drainpipes. Even worse, PVC clothes can leech chemicals into the skin, making this a very risky look to pull off!
Knee-High Boots
Knee-high boots are classic Sixties kitsch, but that doesn’t mean that we’d wear them today. After all, they’re the definition of style over substance. Walking around in knee-highs is oftentimes easier said than done, and pulling them on and off hasn’t gotten any easier.
Overdesigned Tights
While it’s now understood that a good pair of tights should unobtrusively complement an outfit, designers in the ‘60s felt differently. Tights with colorful, clashing patterns may have caught some eyes during the decade, but we’re breathing a collective sigh of relief that they haven’t come back to haunt us!
Mini Skirts
According to The Atlantic, British fashion designer Mary Quant was responsible for bringing the miniskirt into the mainstream. However, while Quant’s vision was revolutionary in the swinging sixties, mini skirts are a little passé today. This isn’t to say that they’re now a fashion faux pas, but they’re hardly must-have attire.
Psychedelic Outfits
One word that should never be associated with outfits from the ‘60s is understated. This was an era of big, bold colors and patterns, where the most fashionable items were liable to give unsuspecting passersby a headache. Lime green dresses, silk blouses, geometric designs—nothing was considered to be in poor taste.
Paper Dresses
Most designers set out to produce durable clothes, but fashionistas in the 1960s were determined to tear up the rulebook—and to transform the pages into clothes! We’re glad that paper dresses never really caught on, as these origami outfits were about as impractical as clothes can be.
Velvet Jackets
The 1960s were full of competing subcultures, including mods, rockers, and dandies. Dandies were notable for their elegant clothes—they were rarely seen without their velvet jackets and cravats. This style seems stuffy compared to the trends of today, so we’re not surprised that this look is a thing of the past.
Headwear
Not everybody can pull off a hat, so we’re glad that contemporary fashionistas are happy to let their hair down. In the ‘60s, however, headwear was in. People didn’t hesitate to wear bowler hats or patterned headscarves, while the most fashion-conscious mimicked the iconic pillbox hats worn by Jackie Kennedy.
Leopard Print
CNN credits Christian Dior with popularizing leopard print patterns on clothes. However, leopard print clothing now has other connotations, such as evoking the mobwife aesthetic. If you don’t want to be mistaken for an extra on The Sopranos, it might be best to steer clear of this sixties staple.
Babydoll Dresses
Babydoll dresses continue to be one of fashion’s greatest bones of contention. While plenty of women think that these sixties standouts combine female empowerment and beautiful simplicity, others aren’t so sure. Some modern fashionistas argue that these dresses are shapeless and unflattering, so it’s no surprise that we now see fewer of them.
Flares
Flared pants are a classic ‘60s fashion item, but whether they’ve stood the test of time is up for debate. Given their association with youthful rebellion and hippies, they’re rarely right for professional settings. Flares may dip in and out of style, but we’re not sure that we’d be seen dead in a pair from the ‘60s!
Ponchos
Colorful crochet ponchos were a big hit in the 1960s, but interest in these jazzy overclothes has since declined. While people going for the vintage hippy look might still have a poncho or two hanging in their cupboard, it’s safe to say that mainstream fashion has long since left the poncho behind.
Sequined Jumpsuits
Sequins have been jazzing up outfits for centuries—the Smithsonian Magazine reveals that even the Ancient Egyptians were fond of a little razzle-dazzle. However, it’s possible to take things too far, and ‘60s sequined jumpsuits are a prime example. Dressing up like a disco ball is certainly a choice!
Fringed Jackets
Fringed jackets were all the rage in the 1960s, but they’re now a relic of days gone by. Modern-day cowboys are few and far between; while Dolly Parton might still be able to pull these off, that doesn’t give everyone else a free pass to dangle their clothes everywhere!
Dresses and Pants
While there’s nothing wrong with wearing a dress or a pair of jeans, combining the two garments today is just about the worst sartorial sin that you can commit. Not so in the 1960s—people didn’t hesitate to wear short dresses over their pants, no matter how bad this looked.
Real Fur Coats
Stylish fur coats were central to many iconic sixties fits, but concerns about animal cruelty and sustainability have caused these garments to fall out of fashion. Synthetic replacements are still available, but not many people are willing (or able) to spend the exorbitant amounts needed to acquire real, vintage furs.
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