Fashion of the 1960s and 1970s

By the mid-1960s, women’s fashion took on a youthful look with baby-doll dresses, polka dots, pastels, and oversize bows and collars - a break from the more mature styles of the 1950s.

The mini-skirt, first introduced in London in 1965, reflected a youthful spirit of rebellion against conventional fashion and hinted at sexual liberation. Designer Mary Quant named the skirt after her favorite car, the Mini Cooper, seeing both as being "optimistic, exuberant, young, flirty." 

A different kind of influence on clothing came from the hippie, or counterculture movement of the 1960s, which rejected mainstream fashion in favor of a more natural look. This style embraced earth tones, bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye, and batik fabrics, as well as paisley prints and “ethnic” fabrics inspired by traditional textiles from other parts of the world.

The early 1970s continued the flamboyant style of the 1960s, using brightly colored polyester, flared pants, flowing skirts, and platform shoes. For the first time, women could wear pants almost anywhere, and both men and women could choose from a wide mix of styles to express themselves.

Paper Dresses

Inspired by modern art movements, the fashion of the 1960s incorporated bright color blocks, checkerboard, and polka dot prints. Synthetic fabrics and “space age” designs became popular, and dresses made out of paper – originally intended to advertise disposable paper products by Hallmark and Scott Paper – enjoyed a brief moment in the sun.

In 1966, a paper dress ball held at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford encouraged party-goers to create high fashion paper garments for the event; some of the designers’ work appeared on a popular television show, and was photographed for Life Magazine.  

Fashion of the 1960s and 1970s