'60s Fashion Trends to Integrate Into Your Wardrobe

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1960s fashion
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The fashion of the 1960s embodied a new, laid-back sense of freedom. Longer skirts were swapped for minis, while groovy flared jeans took the place of starch-pressed capris. Fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were admired and often emulated, encouraging onlookers to experiment with their own personal styles. Get inspired by these '60s fashion trends—and learn how to channel them in the present day.

The Mini Skirt

Once controversial, the above-the-knee hemline is back in a big way. Peppered with checkered prints and cold weather textures like tweed, the leggy skirt silhouette is best worn for fall with opaque tights and classic ballet flats or with socks and a loafer.

1960s fashion

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The Striped T-Shirt

The '60s wasn't all psychedelic tie-dyes and paisley prints. The simple Breton striped top was made famous by French cinema star, Jane Seberg in the 1960 film Breathless. Style the effortless tee with jeans and a low-top sneaker or tucked into a flowing maxi skirt with a mule.

1960s fashion

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The Silk Scarf

A must-have '60s accessory, printed silk scarves can be tied around the neck or worn as a glamorous hair piece. Alternatively, use them to accessorize the handles of your favorite purse.

1960s fashion

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The Flare Pant

A symbol of rebellion, the '60s gave way to flared denim styles and bold printed pants that were hard to miss. You can still wear a pair of the party pants today, but try something minimal up top like a simple navy blazer or a cozy cable knit.

1960s fashion

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The Signature Handbag

With their structured silhouettes and top handle design, the It bags of the '60s have re-emerged as some of 2021's most coveted bag styles. Invest in one of these today.

1960s fashion

(Image credit: Keystone-France)

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Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director for Marie Claire, where she's worked alongside the publication for eight years in various roles, ensuring the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation about fashion's ever-evolving landscape. With a degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is responsible for overseeing a diverse fashion content mix, from emerging and legacy designer profiles to reported features on the influence of social media on style and seasonal and micro trends across the world's fashion epicenters in New York, Milan, and Paris. Before joining Marie Claire, Sara held fashion roles at Conde Nast's Lucky Magazine and Self Magazine and was a style and travel contributor to Equinox's Furthermore website. Over her decade of experience in the fashion industry, Sara has helped guide each brand's style point of view, working alongside veteran photographers and stylists to bring editorial and celebrity photo shoots to fruition from start to finish. Sara currently lives in New York City. When she's not penning about fashion or travel, she’s at the farmer’s market, on a run, working to perfect her roasted chicken recipe, or spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork