1966 - The Future is Now and What Fun It is!
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….
The playfulness that overtook 1965 continued into 1966. The future was looking bright, with bold colours and beautiful patterns flooding the streets. Early 60s fashion was fading but that’s not to say it was gone. Pretty, full-skirted dresses were still selling, but they were now a tapestry of colour and floral pattern.
However, it was the mini skirts, mini shift dresses, and go go boots that were the rage! The groovy sounds of Nancy Sinatra, with ‘These Boots are Made for Walking’, was hitting the airwaves and the younger generation couldn’t get enough of the Go Go boots. The pairing of boots and mini dress would exemplify the Go Go Girl ‘60s look.
I have seen examples of mid-`60s dresses that weren’t as mini as some mini’s we see today, but certainly above the knee was the style of choice. And as Mary Quant said, the kids wanted them “shorter shorter”.
High waisted, ankle length pants were a look, in bold playful colours. Paired with a knitted or cotton tight tank top and large sunglasses, you’ve got that mid-60s playful look. Hipster jeans emerged and bell bottoms were starting to become a thing by 1966.
The mid-60s was full of fun, relaxation and playfulness. A far cry from the “Father Knows Best” attitude of the late 50s early 60s. The youth generation was taking control and they wanted playful colours and styles, music and beats, literature and the arts. Breaking the bonds of parental control. Maybe Father didn’t “know best”.
Social norms were breaking down and antiquated laws were being challenged. Canadian and American women were making their voices heard and on June 30, 1966 the National Organization for Women formed to fight to end sexual discrimination.
Meanwhile, back in London, a sleepy little street called Carnaby was starting to turn heads. Lord John’s men’s boutique opened in 1963 and in 1966, its counterpart -Lady Jane- opened to the public. Known for its shocking displays, Lady Jane had live models in the front window that changed in and out of the hottest trends. People were shocked but they flocked to the shop, often disrupting traffic in front of the store. Police charged the store’s owners - Henry Moss and Harry Fox - for the traffic disruption, not for public displays of indecency! Lady Jane put Carnaby street on the map and made way for other alternative and cheeky shops to open up.
Fading were the rules of fashion in favour of a future of spontaneity and fun. The future was as shocking as it was colourful. On September 8, 1966, the first episode of Star Trek aired showing a distant future with mini skirts and hairdos that would be familiar to Carnaby Street patrons. It was the future, but the style was all 1966.
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