1965 - Swinging Sixties, Here We Come
This blog is part of a series where we look at the styles of the 1960s: A decade of change. As we analyze this transition we can see the 1960s started as a continuation of family values and fashion styles of the 50s. But that changed….
By 1965 change in the fashion world was in full swing. But fashion is always in response to the changing times and boy “the times, they were a changin”! (Bob Dylan song of the same name, written in 1963 and on his album “The Times, They are a Changin’ in 1964)
At the end of 1964 the British Invasion had started and in 1965 there was a flood of British Bands hitting the US and Canadian airwaves. The Rolling Stones had an edgy look that was catching on in the youth culture. Dusty Springfield was a solo act that was part of the British invasion and her look for 1965 was iconic. She had a few hair styles but always bouffant. Her lipstick ... light pink. Light pink lipstick was the popular shade for the mid 60s. Paired with eye shadow, heavy black eyeliner and thick (probably fake) eyelashes and you have that mid 60s mod look!!
Even though change had started in 1963, it ramped up in 1965. Jeans were becoming popular as the way of dressing was becoming more relaxed. Forget the formality of gloves in everyday clothing. Evening wear would, of course, be different where social formalities would be maintained. But everyday formality was slipping and transforming. Hemlines in the youth were starting to climb to above the knee back in 1964. Mary Quant, British designer based in London and winner of the 1963 “Dress of the Year” award, was noticing this trend. Her design philosophy was to make clothes that were comfortable and easy to move around in. The mini skirt was based on this philosophy and trend. Mary herself was quoted as saying: “It was the girls on the King's Road [during the "Swinging London" scene] who invented the mini. I was making easy, youthful, simple clothes, in which you could move, in which you could run and jump and we would make them the length the customer wanted. I wore them very short and the customers would say, 'Shorter, shorter.’” Mary Quant also paired these mini skirts with colourful matching tights. A very iconic look of the mid 60s. This look was quick to be transported across the ocean to North America with the British invasion. The British had so much to offer in music and fashion during this time of rebellious youth in search of fun.
The early 60s had some pretty heavy political events and with the continuing Vietnam War along with developing civil rights movements, the responding fashion world was turning toward a very playful look with the mini and coloured tights. Go Go boots, which made their debut in 1964, were all the rage by 1965. Makeup was also playful. In her shop Mary Quant carried makeup crayons full of colours for eyes, cheeks and lips (pink of course). This playful use of colour was a return to childhood to forget the tragedies of the recent past and present. ‘Swinging London’ was making a huge impact on the USA and Canada and that British look was all the rage.
As the youth were trying to cope with the stresses of the past and embracing the playfulness of childhood they were impacting the development of fashion. Designers were taking their cues from the young people and what they wore in the streets to create fashion. The youth were the guides in fashion instead of designers being the guide. This change in the fashion world was only a taste of what is to come and the youth were leading the way.
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