1960's Winter Capsule Wardrobe: How To Dress Like A 60's It-Girl

 

Photo: Colleen Corby. Uploaded to Wikimedia Commons

The 1960's is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable decades in fashion history. Go-Go boots, bold colored tights, and the invention of the miniskirt can all be attributed to the 60s.

My personal favorite aspect of the decade's styles is the creative layering and silhouettes. It is no surprise that some of the best looks come from winter, as well! I have been incredibly inspired by the likes of Britt Ecklund and Patti Boyd this season and took it upon myself to create the perfect 1960's capsule wardrobe. Today I will be giving you a play-by-play on how to create one for yourself!

Before we begin, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? To put it simply, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing made up of about 20-30 pieces that are all interchangeable to one another. This means that each item in your closet must go with at least 3 other items. Capsule wardrobes are meticulously planned, intended to take up the least amount of space possible while still providing endless outfit combinations. Who What Wear describes them as "a mini wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally love to wear." Personally, I love this definition, because it places the focus on what your "mini wardrobe" looks like for you.

Due to their versatility and ability to fit onto a carry-on, capsule wardrobes are a perfect way for beginners to experiment with different vintage fashions. You do not need too many items for these wardrobes, and they tend not to take up too much space. This can be very convenient for vintage newbies that are not quite ready to switch out their entire closet.

Cultural Influences

There were many cultural, historical, and social events that all came together to create what we now consider to be the iconic 60's look. This post will mostly be dealing with mod/mainstream styles, but I am considering making a post sometime that goes in-depth about the subcultures of the decade. 

Mainstream styles at the time were largely inspired by historical events such as the Space Race and the Cold War. Due to rising tension, the world slowly started to feel dark. To combat this, it became trendy among young people to dress in overly colorful and "childish" clothing. Silhouettes switched from fitted 50's cuts to more shapeless shift dresses. The Space Race inspired designers to push futuristic ensembles onto the runway, resulting in the creation of a style now nicknamed "Space Age." 

Society was also experiencing a resurgence of the Art Nouveau movement, which was well known for its flowy and romantic style. Due to the whimsical nature of the 60's, more color was added into these Nouveau recreations. As a result, Psychedelic art was created. This partially inspired the Hippie subculture, and all around the world youths began to don balloon-sleeved blouses, long skirts, and wild hair.

At the time, young women also began to reject the restrictive societal pressures pushed on them. They rejected the notion that a woman's worth was related to her "modesty" and began to express more stylistic freedom. The 60s is also when the contraceptive pill was first sold publicly, which allowed women to have more agency outside of the home. Women's styles at the time reflected this outspoken mentality. Thus, the miniskirt was invented, both as a protest and as an artistic act.

Now that we have a bit more insight to the decade, we can start creating our dream 60s capsule wardrobe.

Tops

Among the first items you will need to invest in are tops. Boatneck and turtleneck styles were all the rage in the sixties. Icons like Audrey Hepburn and Edie Sedgewick frequently sported these necklines. Having one or two sweaters featuring these necklines will be essential to your wardrobe. As far as colors/patterns go, feel free to experiment with anything you like! The 60s were notorious for their penchant for wild patterns and color schemes. Popular choices include yellow, red, bright greens and navy blues. It was also favored to pair black and white together for high contrast. For the purposes of keeping this post easily applicable, I'll be using neutral colors as examples. 

Fashionistas at the time also loved to sport oversized collars. Consider adding tops with peter pan collars and ruffly bows to your closet for a fun flair. If you love layering the way I do, these will be an especially versatile addition. 

For an authentic touch, I would recommend finding sweaters with 3/4 sleeves. Sites like Unique Vintage, Etsy, and Mod Cloth are some good options to consider when shopping for your pieces.

Bottoms

Miniskirts

The miniskirt is possibly the most quintessential part of a strong 60s style. Pioneered by Mary Quant back in 1963, the miniskirt was popularized by the feminist movement. Most women opted for A-line silhouettes with wild colors and bold patterns. These were often paired with the aforementioned Go-Go boots. You may want to add at least three miniskirts to your shopping list; two of them in whatever neutrals you like (I would opt for black and white). The third can serve as a pop of color, so pick your favorite bold tone. 

Cigarette Pants

A personal favorite of the Beatnik subculture, cigarette pants feature a high waisted fit that ends right at the ankle. They typically come in black shades, so if you prefer a more classic look, you may like to add at least 1 black pair to your wardrobe. However, you can also get these in a vast array of colors.

Flares/Bellbottoms

If you are a fan of the hippie style, consider grabbing a pair or two of flares. Embroidered details on the cuffs add a stylish, unique touch. This is definitely more of a late 60's trend, but will help keep a fun, experimental wardrobe.

Dresses

Most fashionistas in the 60's had a plethora of A-line shift dresses to choose from. They are a wardrobe staple regardless of the season. The decade was well known for the emergence of the "little black dress" (a la Breakfast at Tiffany's) so a black A-line shift dress is a must-have piece. Other common colors include white, red, and navy blue. For wintry weather, a long sleeve style in a nice, thick material is recommended.

Another option you can go for is a pinafore dress. This will look good layered over any of the tops mentioned above. Consider going for a Mary Quant inspired approach, layering a boldly patterned pinafore over a black/solid turtleneck. Finish the look off with some color coordinated tights, Mary Janes, and some 60s bangs. 

Coats/Outerwear

In alignment with our current winter weather, having a good coat or two is mandatory for a practical closet.

Peacoat

The peacoat is a classy wardrobe staple that features (typically) double-breasted buttons and was originally worn by sailors to help combat the cold, windy nature of the sea. Most 60s peacoats are single-breasted instead of double-breasted. For an extra festive touch, you can opt for a fur-lined peacoat in a statement color. 

Trench Coat

Featured in most capsule wardrobes even today, the trench coat has a long and stylish history. Due to their timeless presence in modern fashion, trench coats can easily be found in secondhand stores. Most 60s trench coats feature a waist belt with a large, circular buckle. Search for coats with wide lapels for that extra vintage touch. 

Cape Coats

Cape coats are exactly what they sound like. These flowy, circular coats are made to drape around your shoulders like a warm and stylish cape. They were most often worn with shift dresses. In fact, it was pretty common for designers to create shift dresses with cape coats already attached, such as the one pictured below:

Photo: Mary Quant Showcased at the V&A Museum

Accessories

The way you choose to accessorize can completely make-or-break an outfit. I recommend that any vintage style beginners invest in some authentic-looking accessories first and foremost. Most modern clothing can be styled to look vintage, but things like jewelry and belts are usually indicative of a certain era. You can take any minidress and simply pair it with a 60's looking hip belt and Go-Go boots, and that alone will create a more authentic appearance.

Go-Go Boots

Created by Andre Courreges in 1964, Go-Go boots were heavily inspired and featured in the Space Age trends of the time. They most often feature a heel and a mid-calf rise. 

Tights

Investing in a few pairs of tights will help add a mod flair to your look. For a classic look, you can get a couple pairs of sheer black tights, and perhaps even try a fun, lacy pattern. Or you can go for a Twiggy style with bright colors such as red, yellow, and lavender. Try to find tights with a fleece lining to stay warm during these cold months.

Neckwear

To add even more emphasis to your neckline, throw on an ascot. If scarves are not your style, you could also try layering necklaces of varying lengths together.

Hip Belts

60's it-girls would often throw a belt on top of their skirts and dresses, usually dangling loosely around their hips as opposed to the traditional way. Popular choices included western style belts, large geometric buckles, or embellished belts. 

Other honorable mentions:

• Fun Headwear
• Big Glasses
• Mary Janes
• Ballet Flats

Outfit Formulas

Finally, my favorite part-- the styling!

For those who don't know, outfit formulas are essentially just go to outfit combos. Whenever you are in a rush or simply just don't have time to plan an outfit, you can fall back on your outfit formulas. I went ahead and put together a comprehensive list of 60s inspired outfit formulas here. Feel free to adapt or adjust to your liking!

The "Mod" Look:

• A-Line dress + Cape coat + Colorful tights + Mary Janes

The "It-Girl" Look: 

• Black shift dress + Sheer/Patterned black tights + Go Go Boots + Big glasses+ Hip belt+ Trench coat

The "Beatnik" Look

• Black or striped boatneck sweater + Cigarette pants + Ballet flats + Belt + Beret

The "Preppy" Look

• Turtleneck + Pinafore dress + knee socks/tights + Mary Janes + Peacoat (optional)

The "Art Nouveau" Look:

Large bow collared blouse + black miniskirt+ tights + Mary Janes

Conclusion

Now that we have identified our core pieces and styling formulas, you can try out the 60s look for yourself! I hope this post was able to provide you with some helpful information and style inspiration.

I was considering doing a separate post about iconic 60s hairstyles and posts, possibly as a part two to this one. If any of you are interested in seeing that, let me know in the comments! Also, if there are any specific style icons you'd like to see a post about, I would love to read your suggestions. 

If any of you try out these iconic 60s looks, make sure to tag @aprils.vintage.muses