From martini-drinking swank and mod moptops to hippy style, 1960s fashion for guys was dynamic. It made a truly important impression on our style and stays with us today.
When I mention 1960s men’s fashion, what do you often think about? James Bond’s white dinner jacket, perhaps? Maybe for you, it’s The Beatles and their moppish Arthur cuts. If you were a ‘90s baby, you might remember ‘60s revivalism — peace signs, flower power, and platforms.
Here, we think social media caused fashion to change at a light speed.
A lot happened in the ‘60s, and this affected style. So, there are a wide range of ‘60s fashion trends. They each had a different vibe depending on what part of the decade you’re looking at.
Still, there is an overarching theme: The proliferation of media and pop culture affected self-expression. Does this sound familiar? Let’s go back in time to see what and why men wore what they wore then.
1960 Menswear, 1960s Male Fashion and Events of the Era
At the beginning of the decade, clothes weren’t that different from the ‘50s. So, 1960 menswear included similar, clean-lined but loose tailoring. We also saw the ubiquity of the dress shirt, and, of course, polos for those casual backyard barbecues.
Look at Connery’s suit’s clean yet boxy cut in the first James Bond film from 1962. George Peppard’s suit jackets were similar to those in Breakfast at Tiffany’s from 1961. These, of course, are two undeniably stylish films. And they represent early popular male clothes in the 1960s.
In the early to mid-’60s, The Beatles became trendsetters. The rock-remixed dandy style of the Teddy Boy subculture evolved into a mod style. Mods in turn introduced fitted pants, turtlenecks, and the iconic mop-top haircut.
Between the Beatles and subsequent Bond films, British mania brought London’s Swinging 60s to fashion capitals around the world.
In places like New York and Paris, men’s fashion in the 1960s had stylish guys thinking, “How can I incorporate bold patterns?” Even more conservative men thought, “Why go for a tan cashmere cardigan when I can go for a bright red one?”
Batmania, in the middle of the decade, continued to promote men’s desire for color. Soon, we had the Peacock Revolution.
Of course, LEDs, push-button phones, the computer as we know it, and space travel brought retro-futurism into our lives as well. It mostly made its way into interior design. But Jetsons-esque metallics and machine-like hard angles did dip into mod and swank.
Then, when Walter Cronkite opined that the Vietnam War wouldn’t lead to victory, counterculture reformatted into the flower power movement. Long hair, fringe, and psychedelic aesthetics would bring us into the ‘70s.
1960s Mens Fashion: Mod Style
You can’t talk about 1960s men’s fashion without talking about mod aesthetics. After World War II, England was prosperous for years to come.
Working-class kids didn’t have to contribute their money to the family; instead, they spent it on fashion (and Italian scooters). Working-class youth became ambitious and wanted to shed their factory and industry backgrounds by adopting a sophisticated yet bold look.
This mod, or modern, style started in the ‘50s but hit fashion command centers all over the world in the ‘60s. You can thank The Beatles for that.
Mop-top haircuts and slim Italian-tailored pants paired well with boxy jackets. The movement embraced classics and sophistication. However, its delivery, coming from the youth, meant you’d make it your own. You’d use it to express yourself instead of boxing yourself in.
Suits and dress shirts with big, bold patterns and bright colors were all the rage. Other important pieces in the mod toolbox include turtlenecks, double-breasted jackets, Cuban heels, and spear-point collars.
Of course, the Chelsea boot, named after the stylish neighborhood that served as the epicenter of Swinging ‘60s culture, was all the rage.
It was slick but loud. Arguably, mod culture set the stage for all of the experimenting in 1960s male fashion.
Conservative men were still wearing loose, boxy ‘50s style suits in less fashion-forward places. But in the New York or Milans of the world, even the sartorially traditional lightly incorporated mod mentality. Even if it was slight, these men distinguished themselves as traditional and classic but still cosmopolitan and cultured.
It’s what I call the ‘60s “swankification” of the suit.
60s Fashion Men: The Swanky 60s Suit
This is my favorite subgenre of ‘60s dress style for guys. It’s the traditional dress from the ‘50s, with slight remixes from the decade’s trends.
The more conservatively dressed man would be slow and strategic in incorporating the energy of the ‘60s. The result is a nuanced version of what we’d call classic menswear.
The popular image is a suited gent, drinking a martini (probably his third or fourth, since he has a bar at his office), surrounded by shag carpet. Think Mad Men.
It was more prominent in the early ‘60s but never went away.
Some updates to men’s suits included incorporating more tweed, corduroy, and cotton poplin. This likely came from the decade’s love affair with all things British. People associated tweed with English countryside style.
Even traditional men started to incorporate patterns, though they were less bold than the hardcore peacockers.
Plaid, checks, and herringbone were popular. In fact, a fan-favorite James Bond suit from the ‘60s is Sean Connery’s Glen check suit.
The two-button suit jacket came into vogue thanks to President Kennedy. The deeper V shape of the jacket was slimming while bringing strength to the chest. To achieve JFK’s look, men would wear thinner lapels and ties.
For a slightly bolder swank, mohair and silk blend fabrics were also available, as were L-shaped and cloverleaf lapels. Men also opted to wear their shirt collars open, leaving room for bold scarves and cravats.
The era’s mod Italian infatuation and American anglophilia still affect us today. When it comes to suits, there are three main cuts: American, British, and Italian.
60s Men’s Fashion Trends: The Peacock Revolution
Combine the sartorially-forward mod movement with the sexual revolution, and what do we get? The peacock revolution.
This was the dandier mod subculture compared to skinheads and rude boys who incorporated workwear, combat boots, and jeans.
For the first time, men would openly express a deep interest in fashion. Experimentation led to androgynous looks for both men and women — ladies with shorter hair and men in feather boas. The patron saint of this movement is probably David Bowie.
Flamboyance was the name of the game. Lime green, metallic purples, lively oranges, paisley, polka dots, florals (even on men), geometric patterns, and psychedelic prints were all incorporated.
Even professional environments would dip their toe in with patterned ties and socks.
60s Dress Style for Guys: Retro-Futurism
We went to the moon in 1969. But, our interest in space would be a consequential part of style for the entire decade. Today, we call it retro-futurism, but there was nothing retro about it back then.
Metallics and space-inspired costume pieces were mainly worn by “fashion people”. So, they were more common on television, on the runway, or in trendy clubs than on the everyday guy.
However, these aesthetics would make a comeback in the ‘90s at the dawn of the millennium. At this point, young gents would wear frosted metallic hair, silver pants, and retro lava-lamp-like patterns. Despite being 60s revivalism, that was a different era of vintage style for another time.
However, even back then, men’s ’60s outfits weren’t completely untouched by the space age.
Watches started to look more sci-fi, with LED displays, square computer-like cases, and full-on Jetsons-like aesthetics.
Flower Power Mens 60s Outfits: Popular 60’s Mens Summer Fashion
And, of course, you can’t talk about the 1960s without talking about that era’s counterculture. There’s one in every decade, but hippy fashion is surprisingly enduring.
Even more conformist types dug into the proverbial hippy closet for ‘60s men’s summer fashion. You can still see people wearing loose weaves, fringe, and moccasins today.
San Francisco was the movement’s headquarters. It was a rejection of materialism and the war, as well as an embracing of nature.
Long hair, tribal jewelry, loose clothes, and incorporation of Americana (particularly the Native American side) heavily influenced flower power style.
One positive aspect of hippy fashion that was way ahead of its time was the focus on sustainability and sourcing locally. Another aspect that we’re a bit more careful about these days is incorporating styles from other cultures.
Mexican Baja jackets, turquoise, and African-inspired jewelry were quite popular. Other important pieces include tea shades (popularized by John Lennon), peace signs, suede, vests, bell bottoms, and headbands.
Flower power would close out the 1960s and bring fashion into the ‘70s.
Conclusion: Popular Male Clothes in the 1960s
1960s men’s fashion is a real journey. It was a vibrant and ever-changing time, resulting in a start of the decade that looks almost nothing like the end of it. The next time we’d see something like this would be in the ‘90s. (A period which I’ve always said is spiritually similar to the ‘60s.)
And while we aren’t as extreme with the mod components, peacocking, and flower power, elements of each survive today.
The Brits and Italians still highly inspire men’s tailoring in America. Moreover, men can freely talk about what they want to wear and how they want to look without being labeled a dandy.
Because men and women boldly crossed such lines back then, we have our classics today.
What’s your favorite part about 1960s style? Let me know in the comments!
