1960's Hippies Fashion

The 1960s:

The 1960s was revolutionary. It highlighted an era of change and post war citizen awareness. People, especially the youth, dressed in a way to express rebellion at fixed and commonly accepted notions and social norms. They experimented and handled trial and error with a sense of responsibility for their actions. It was also a time when the world acknowledged the strength of economy and people to remain resilient. The 1960s witnessed a major paradigm shift in the way the world viewed experiment and innovation. It was an era that paved the stage for the 'information and communication revolution' that ushered in the 21st century. The fashion naturally displayed the innermost recesses of the human psyche that was going through much change. The changes associated with women empowerment, various issues relating to human rights and racial equality were reflected in the acceptance of casual, comfortable attire.

The Hippies Fashion:

The hippies fashion was embraced by the youth and even seniors across the continents, in the 1960s. The focus of the decade and years later was on the vibrancy of the apparel and accessories and not on what others thought about a particular appearance. People, in general, sported clothes that they felt expressed themselves and their individualism and not for sake of pleasing the regular line of fashion. The empowering rock music and world wide protests against social stigmas like apartheid churned out the blue jeans and denim. It was the age of casual attire; an age when people felt that drug addiction was alright to experiment with. The hippies, as they were commonly referred to by the 'prim and proper' and socially answerable citizens, designed a whole new lifestyle of their own.

The 1960s Hippies Fashion:

The 1960s hippies fashion comprised of apparel that would probably appeal to only the youth of today. The baby boomers, also called the flower children, did not hesitate to flaunt flowers in their hair, much like the customs and sights of the orient. In the west, the hippies also indulged in body painting, body piercing and tattoo body art. Not much of this was ever appreciated by the older generation. The men sported long, loose flowing hair long like the women. The 'free look' comprised not focusing on what others thought of their self-expression through apparel, believing in 'equality for all' and protesting against social evils. The hippies fashion statement was a rage with the youth. It showed signs of fading out as they grew older. They pretty much lived up to The Days of Our Youth are the Days of Our Glory! Unlike the formal business environment today, way back in the 1960s, the hippies fashion trends offered clothing for work and leisure a very informal and casual look.

The fashion clothing was a form of counterculture and nonconformist. The personal expressions of people and the times resulted in easily recognizable styles that made a major impact on the contemporary world. The fashion was derived along the 'anything goes' line. Hipsters and bell-bottom jeans, ankle fringes, flower patches and peasant blouses were all part of the fray. T-shirts and skimpy halter-neck tops were part of everyday wear. Fashion jewelry and accessories during the time included long earrings, bandanas and other head gear, scarves and bracelets and rings that flaunted the peace symbols. Women wore long skirts and dresses that redefined what was 'acceptable'. The hemlines were difficult to digest for the conservatives of the era and the micro and mini skirts were a cultural shock. Short skirts were worn with knee-high boots, while the long flowing skirts were considered better matched with sandals. Flowing ribbons in the hair or the dress was nothing unusual. Flowers strongly emphasized the hippie movement. They were used to represent peace and love. Tired of the toll that World War II took on culture and economy, the hippies sported floral patterns on dresses and skirts and jeans. Artificial flower tiaras and real flowers were worn in the hair.

Hippies repelled the post war ugliness in the world and turned the attention of fashion stalwarts towards as much natural beauty as possible. The youth movement affected the teen fashion industry in a major way. The trends continue to this day, subtly or boldly as each culture would like it to be, and still offers 'style and individuality' to apparel manufacture.