Vintage Images Of 1960s Women's Fashion

1960s Historical Events

The sixties are remembered for a general atmosphere of renewed hope within some nations across the world. As certain parts of the globe had begun to emerge from the gloom of austerity and rationing measures which was imposed following World War II, particularly in Western societies. The 1960s witnessed a renewed optimism for the future, especially within many European nations, as their economies increased rapidly, creating more employment and higher wages for millions of workers. Additionally, the working conditions for millions of employees improved considerably, and many workers received more recreation time, which led to a healthier and better standard of living for most of the population. But it is important to mention that the 1960s had proved to be a divisive and tumultuous decade for certain other nations across the world.

The 1960s: Consumerism

The 1960s were thought to be the golden age of consumerism and advertising, particularly through the medium of radio and television. The living standards for most of the population had greatly improved, particularly across Western societies. During the 1960s, employment and wages increased significantly, and in addition, many goods on the high streets became more affordable for most of the population. As a result, there was a dramatic increase in product sales, as many more people could afford to purchase items such as televisions, fridges, radios, motor vehicles, domestic appliances, items of clothing, branded food products, and records. The economies of many rich nations around the globe prospered significantly during this era, but particularly in the United States, where it is said, consumer culture matured most noticeably at this time, with the middle-classes generating far more disposable income on account of the dramatic post-war economic increase.

The 1960s: The Contraceptive Pill

The contraceptive pill was created during the 1950s by Austrian-born chemist Carl Djerassi, Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes, and American scientist Dr Gregory Pincus. However, the first commercially available oral contraceptive birth pill, Enovid, was in fact invented by American chemist Frank Colton in the United States in 1960. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Minister for Health, Enoch Powell, announced that oral contraceptives would be readily available on the NHS in 1961. Initially, the birth pill was provided to women at the discretion of doctors, but particularly to women whose health was deemed to be at risk once they became pregnant. The introduction of the birth pill has proved to be a controversial topic. It is said that this event contributed to the start of a pleasure-seeking or hedonistic culture of adventurous young people across many different nations, and it also marked the start of the sex revolution.

The 1960s: Swinging London

During the 1960s, the British economy was positively booming, particularly within the city of London, as the capital had undergone a remarkable transformation to become a bright, bristling, and burgeoning city of varied and numerous opportunities. The capital had established an aura of such style and fashion that 'Time Magazine' officially declared London to be 'The Swinging City' in its issue dated 15 April 1966. At that particular moment, London was said to be the mecca for American tourists. Meanwhile, creative artists, such as writers, musicians, fashion designers, models, film makers, photographers, visual artists, as well as business entrepreneurs had descended upon the capital in order to fulfil their ambitions. During the sixties there emerged a new generation of young British adults, who were perceived as proud and rebellious natured, some of them had witnessed the end of the Second World War. This new breed of determined young adults had demanded liberation from the cultural and social constraints of previous generations, and as a result, ultimately, their collective actions had led to a cultural revolution within the United Kingdom.

The 1960s Music Industry

The British invasion was a phrase used in the 1960s, which referred to the great success of many British musical artists, who had made a dramatic impression on a great deal of American audiences during that era, they included such legends as, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Animals, the Hollies, the Kinks, Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, and Lulu. During the 1960s, the British iconic models Lesley Lawson, also known as Twiggy, and Jean Shrimpton were at the peak of their careers, and they were considered to be the original inspirations for the current and popular term 'Supermodel'. One of the most era-defining risqué looks of the sixties was the revolutionary mini skirt, the creation of which was attributed to the famous British fashion designer and visionary, Dame Mary Quant. Meanwhile, over in the United States, the pop music styles were influential and varied, some of which included Motown music or Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Folk Rock, Surf Rock, and Psychedelic music. Amongst some of the well-known US pop artists at that time were Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Miles Davis.

The 1960s: John F. Kennedy

The 1960s proved a very eventful and tumultuous decade for a great many Americans. The decade began with huge excitement and expectations following the US Presidential elections in 1960, when Democratic leader John F. Kennedy became the 35th US President of America. John Kennedy beat the Republican candidate leader Richard Nixon, to become the youngest President in the history of America. John Kennedy was sworn into office on 20 January 1961, while his inspired and uplifting speeches were celebrated and admired by millions of Americans, and his promise of social and political reforms filled many American hearts with great hope for the future of America. Importantly, President Kennedy had overseen the Cuban Missile Crisis, which was a tense stand-off between the USSR and the USA over the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962. In that critical moment in history, millions of spectators from across the world had watched and waited with bated breath, in anticipation of a possible nightmare scenario. Most regrettably, just a year later, President Kennedy was assassinated shortly after 12 noon, 22 November 1963, as he was seated in an open motorcade that was driving slowly through Dealey Plaza, Dallas, in Texas. President Kennedy's demise had shocked the world, and it was said that millions of Americans were so affected by the tragedy that they were deeply traumatized for many generations.

The 1960s: Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King was an American Baptist minister and activist, and most importantly, a prominent and charismatic public orator for civil rights and racial equality in America. King is remembered for being an inspirational leader who fought successfully for the rights of Black Americans by means of peaceful protests. As a consequence, King was eventually awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther King was assassinated on 4th April 1968, while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The shocking news of his death was followed by violent civil unrest and numerous riots over four days, across certain parts of America. Moreover, there were bitter accusations and conspiracy theories directed against the US secret government agencies. Meanwhile, the Vietnam War began in March 1965, and it proved to be an incurable disease that tormented Americans throughout the 1960s and well into the 1970s. Thousands of Americans had lost their lives during the conflict, which was viewed by many Americans as a pointless and unnecessary war that had sparked vehement and unceasing opposition protests against its continuation by various political activist groups within America. The 1960s decade in America finally ended with much-needed optimism after the greatly anticipated Woodstock festival, which was staged in New York, 1969. This event proved to be a remarkable and gratifying spectacle, which was viewed by millions of Americans as an expression of peace and unity. This iconic event featured many great artists, such as Jimi Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone, Mountain, Jefferson Airplane, and the Who. However, the crowning achievement for the USA in this decade was the hugely anticipated launch of the NASA Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when Americans Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

1960s: Geopolitical Events

Some important 1960s geopolitical events began with the decolonization of the African continent, with over 30 African nations receiving independence between 1960 and 1968. East Germany completed the Berlin Wall in 1961, intending to stop its citizens from escaping to West Germany. In France, the infamous protests of 1968 had ultimately led to President Charles De Gaulle temporarily fleeing France. During the 1960s, certain nations, which were previously under the umbrella of the Soviet Bloc (satellite states), initiated a mass rebellion, starting with Albania in 1960, later followed by Romania and Czechoslovakia, each of which rebelled against and eventually broke free of the Soviet Union's political dominance over their nation. In 1968, the 'Prague Spring' began in Czechoslovakia, which was a mass protest against the Soviet Union's political influence and a quest for political independence and reform. Ultimately, the protests culminated in many riots across Czechoslovakia. As a consequence, the Kremlin in Moscow decided to intervene by sending in the Soviet army, which invaded Czechoslovakia and eventually crushed the protests there. Meanwhile, in the late 1960s, Mao’s People's Republic of China broke ties with the Soviet Union (Sino-Soviet split) because of their conflicting political doctrines of communism, resulting in two major communist spheres of influence, Russia and China.

1960s Women's Fashion

During the 1960s women's fashion was dominated by miniskirts, long leather boots, velvet trousers, jeans, maxi dresses, hippie and psychedelic attire, and mod clothing. The 1960s also witnessed the birth of skinhead fashion, which originated from the young working-class population of London, in the UK. Also popular were polo necks, go-go boots, ankle boots, straight leg jeans, bell-bottom trousers, and slim-fitting button-down colour shirts. The 1960s were seen as the era of immense cultural fashion changes for both genders in many different parts of the world, and the resulting clothing revolution that transpired has profoundly impacted dress attire in modern society.