1960s Mens Fashion: A Schizophrenic Time of Skinny Ties, Wide Ties & Everything In Between
68Various Fashion Styles Influence Fashion
Various new fashion trends began emerging for men in the 1960s. The trends of the beginning, mid and end of the decade are easy enough to identify. Traditional and conformist attire for men do change according to society. Brighter, colorful tones began taking the world of the 60s man to a higher, more open-minded fashion sense and focus than ever before in history. The inspiration of this fashion sense is found in Edwardian styles of dress as well as Modernist, Hippie and Italian designers.
Modernist Movement Not Just Found In Art
European fashion styles were all the rage in the 60s as modernists came along at the beginning of this era. This allowed young men to move out of their box, while searching for and establishing new trends. The quiet and understated fashion of the late 50s moved along into the psychedelic patterns and gregarious prints. Dull, pale shades were lacking in style and no man wanted to be considered lacking in style. Fashions for men thrived on color and plenty of it. Men wanted the brighter flamboyance during the early 1960s. A fashionable man may be found wearing cravats and frills on his shirts. The Hippie era created a buzz of wide ties over simple skinny ties. Men desired various and unusual patterns, prints and stripes.
The Rockers versus the Mods
Men of the 60s were either a Rocker or a Mod and they were notorious rivals. Consider the characters of the classic beach blanket movies. Mods preferred classic fashions and British bands liked The Beatles. However, the Rockers were often found on big Harley Davidson bikes with their hair slicked back while wearing leather jackets, listening to the swinging rock-and-roll 50s favorites. The trendiest of Mods were listening to the Beatles while riding along in their Vespers, while wearing the latest fashion inspired by Italian and French designers. Most often their wardrobes consisted of pants, tailored suits with slim shirts and skinny ties trimmed to just an inch. Mods most often wore their trademark fashion statement, the anorak jacket.
Edwardian Influences on Mens Fashion
In 1966 men began embracing the Edwardian social graces and fashions. For instance, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones created a trend by wearing double-breasted suits of velvet. Longer hairstyles for men became popular at this time, while they wore such apparel as frill collar shirts and brocade waistcoats. The patterns, prints, colors and textures of the fashion era were astounding. Men and women were both searching for or wearing the long Nehru jacket with its luxurious stand-up collar.
Flamboyance Takes Center Stage with the Hippie Movement
Near the end of the decade fashions became more bizarre as individual began personalizing and altering their own clothing. Getting in touch with one’s feminine nature became easier for men by allowing their hair to grow longer. The Hippie influence brought about the popularity of florescent colors, paisley patterned shirts and polka dot neckties. Wide took first place again with a 5 to 6 inch wide tie trend as well as the wearing of bell-bottomed pants. Almost everything was tie-dyed or featured paisley prints, pop art, or floral prints. Commonly neckties and shirts were sold as a package deal as fashion designers continued creating with rich bold colors.
Conclusion
As you can see, a lot was going on not just in the world, but in the fashion world as well! Even with neckwear, when it comes to vintage neckties from this era, you can find both thin narrow neckties and bold fat ties having been worn at the same time!
