1960s Costume Ideas

The 1960s continues to be a popular theme for fancy dress parties. Some people will choose to link it to the 1970's as there is an element of cross-over between the fashions of the two decades.

This is also true between the 1950s and 1960s. At the start of the decade America was still heavily influencing the music charts, with stars such as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Hayley (and his Comets) dominating. So at every 60s theme night, there will be a slight blurring at the edges towards the 50s (Teddy Boys) and 70s (glam rock).

This page will give you some costume inspiration by looking at various influences throughout the 60s decade including music, film, television and trends.

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The early-mid 1960s saw the rise of British Pop Music, with the 'Merseybeat' sound of artists such as the 'Beatles', Gerry & The Pacemakers' and Freddie & the Dreamers contrasting with the 'London' sound of artists such as The 'Dave Clark Five' & the 'Manchester' sound of The Hollies. From a costume point of view most of these groups tended to look the same. Costumes for the Beatles are available and come in a range of budgets - see image.

We would recommend that the 60s theme is not reduced even more by naming the party 'mods & rockers'. It may seem like a good idea, but the theme is very restricting and there are not many costumes available to purchase on the market. A true male mod look would consist of an Italian designer suit, Vespa scooters and duffle coats (complete with a bulls-eye on the back). Ladies costumes are more widely available to purchase. A true female mod would have worn black and white patterned A Line dresses (as favoured by Mary Quant). Rockers would have worn leather jackets and trousers, chains, studs and heavy boots.

Fashion really started to take off with the advent of the Mini-skirt. There are many arguments over who actually 'invented' it, but it was undoubtedly promoted by Mary Quant who had a boutique called 'Bazaar'. Britain continued to dominate the pop charts and each artist started to develop their own 'look'.

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The early 'Austin Powers' films were set in 1969 and provide a great place to get your 60s inspiration. Men were wearing velvet suits, ladies wearing (very short) mini dresses and both were wearing brightly coloured, psychedelic clothing.

Austin Powers and Felicity Shagwell are two very popular costume choices for the 1960s theme.

1967 was known as the 'Summer of Love' and was seen as many as the epitome of what the 60s was all about. Woodstock, the hippy movement and 'Flower Power' dominating the scene. 1967 was also the year 'Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club' was released.

Towards the end of the decade, hippy fashions were contrasting with the geometric mod designs and in 1969, the full length 'maxi skirt' was introduced much to the relief of most women!

• Batman
• Flintstones
• Pink Panther
• Star Trek
• Addams Family
• Alice in wonderland
• Thunderbirds
• Passage to India
• The Prisoner
• Dad's Army

• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Spartacus
• West Side Story
• Lawrence of Arabia
• A Fistful of Dollars
• My Fair Lady
• Bonnie & Clyde
• Barbarella
• Cleopatra
• 101 Dalmations
• Austin Powers (set in '69)

• Marilyn Monroe (she died in this decade)
• Astronaut (first moon landing)
• Star Trek (first shown)
• Frank Sinatra (just pop on your dinner jacket)
• Elvis Presley (yes he did wear the white jumpsuit in the 60's)
• Richard Burton (Starred as Marc Antony in (Cleopatra)