The 1960s were truly a revolutionary decade. It highlighted an era of change and post-war citizen consciousness. People, especially young people, dressed in a way that expressed rebellion against fixed and commonly accepted notions and social norms. They experienced and handled the experimentation with a sense of responsibility for their actions. It had also become a time when the world recognized the strength of the economy and people to stay resilient. The 1960s witnessed a major paradigm shift in the way the world viewed experimentation and innovation. It was an era that paved the stage for the ‘information and communication revolution’ that ushered in the 21st century. Fashion naturally showed the innermost corners of the human psyche that was undergoing many changes. Changes related to the empowerment of women, various issues related to human rights and racial equality were reflected in the acceptance of casual and comfortable dress.
Who were the hippies?
The hippies were part of a youth movement, made up of the younger generation and teenagers between the ages of 15 and 25. These youth or hippies rebelled and criticized middle class values, embraced elements of non-Judeo-Christian religions, opposed the Vietnam War. They promoted sexual liberation and created intentional communities, often viewing their tribe as a new religious movement. The hippies favored “peace, love, and personal freedom over political and social orthodoxy.”
Hippie fashion was embraced by young and even older adults on every continent in the 1960s. The focus of the decade and subsequent years was on the vibrancy of clothing and accessories and not on what others thought of a particular appearance. People, in general, wore clothes that they felt expressed their individualism rather than pandering to the regular line of fashion. Empowering rock music and worldwide protests against social stigmas like apartheid produced blue jeans and jeans. It was the era of casual dress; a time when people felt it was okay to experiment with drug addiction. The hippies, as they were commonly described by socially responsible “prissy and proper” citizens, designed an entirely new lifestyle of their own.
60’s hippie fashion
The hippie fashion of the 1960s comprised clothing that would likely appeal only to today’s youth. The baby boomers, also called the flower children, did not hesitate to wear flowers in their hair, as well as the customs and views of the East. In the west, hippies also indulged in body painting, body piercing, and tattoo body art. The older generation never appreciated much of this. The men sported long, loose, flowing hair like the women. The ‘free look’ meant not paying attention to what others thought of their self-expression through clothing, believing in ‘equality for all’ and protesting against social ills. The hippie fashion statement caused a furor among the youth. It showed signs of fading as they aged. They lived up to The Days of Our Youth are the Days of Our Glory! Unlike today’s formal business environment, back in the 1960s, hippie fashion trends offered clothing for work and play that looked very casual and casual.
Dress fashion was a form of counterculture and non-conformity. The personal expressions of people and times resulted in easily recognizable styles that had a huge impact on the contemporary world. Fashion stemmed along the ‘anything goes’ line. Hipsters and flared jeans, ankle fringes, flower patches and peasant blouses were part of the fray. T-shirts and skimpy halter tops were part of everyday wear. Women wore long skirts and dresses that redefined what was ‘acceptable’. The bottoms were difficult to digest for the conservatives of the time and the micro and miniskirts were a culture shock. Short skirts were worn with knee-high boots, while long flowing skirts were considered best paired with sandals. Loose ribbons in hair or dress were nothing unusual. Flowers strongly emphasized the hippie movement. They were used to represent peace and love. Tired of the toll World War II took on culture and the economy, hippies sported floral patterns on dresses, skirts, and jeans. Tiaras of artificial flowers and real flowers were worn in the hair.
Hippie jewelry and hair
During the hippie movement, men and women grew their hair long and avoided fussy styling and hair products, as braids were popular, though contrary to popular belief, they still used shampoo. Usually the hair was parted in the middle and without bangs. During this time period, long side burns were the most important thing for men. Fashion accessories during the time also included bandanas and other headgear, scarves. Hippies accessorized their hair with flowers or small hair clips or a colorful headband across their foreheads. A thin ribbon tied at the back of the head with long flowing hair became a legendary look during the 1960s.
Women’s jewelry was mostly based on nature or Native American or any similar handcrafted design. Any necklace that sported a peace sign with beads was very popular. Jewelry that made music was highly desirable as music was an essential part of the hippie scene. Necklaces that featured bells as pendants and tinkling anklets were a favorite among women. In general, ankles received a lot of attention, especially among those who lived on the hot West Coast, because many hippies preferred to go barefoot.
The hippies rebelled against the post-war ugliness in the world and diverted the interest of fashion designers towards the greatest possible natural splendor. The youth movement affected the teen fashion industry in a major way. Trends keep changing over time, but the girls who found their own individuality and style in the 1960s never let it go and passed on much of their own hippie influence to their daughters.