The 60s: how to create costumes and looks inspired by the rebel decade

Sixties fashion marked an era and brought important pieces to the current wardrobe, in addition to being a great option for costume parties.

How to assemble a 60’s costume

That 60’s fantasy look we’re used to is super easy to put together. Some clothing store options offer pieces that help when composing the look. If you want something very characteristic, there are options for costume rental and to buy. However, it is not just a polka dot skirt and doll shoes that make up the costumes of that decade. Below you can see several options of looks to learn how to assemble and dress up in the 60s:

ball fantasy

The polka dot costume is the most traditional at the 60’s party. To assemble this costume, just insert one of the pieces in polka dots, preferably a well-rounded skirt or a dress of the same style. Complement with accessories that make the look even more with the face of the 60s: cat eye glasses, doll-style shoes, scarves and gloves. Here are three examples of how you can create this look:

hippie style fantasy

Also originating in the 60s, the hippie-style fantasy is striking in the following decade. However, a look with this style is also part of the 60’s. To create costumes in this style, choose gowns and colorful pieces. Prints can also make the look even more hippie-like. See the example below:

psychedelic style fantasy

That psychedelic style, with long boots and lots of geometric shapes, is also an option for those who want to create a different costume from the 60s. Get inspired by the style of the British model and actress Twiggy, who was a style reference at the time. Wear tube-style dresses, big accessories, and go for the psychedelic look. Below, two ideas for you to assemble your costume:

60s inspired hair and makeup

It’s not just the clothes that can help you create 60s looks. “In addition to the inspired pieces, make sure you do your makeup and hair with a total reference to the decade. In this case, you can exaggerate the eyes, the muted mouth and the hair with volume at the top”, guides the consultant Juliana. Whether for dressing up or for everyday use, makeup and hair from the 60s are super beautiful and easy to do, as the videos below explain.

60’s makeup

60’s hair

Key pieces of the 60’s

The 60’s had several representative moments, going through many style changes. The beginning brings the pieces that most represent the time, with the skirts and dresses that are swirled. “These pieces gave an air of a young girl to the women of the time”, says Camila.

The tubes came soon after, followed by the miniskirts and cigarette pants. At the end of the decade, the clothes that were perpetuated through the 70s, with the hippies, began to appear.

In the face of so many styles and diversity, many pieces ended up becoming a reference in the 60’s. However, the consultants selected which are the main pieces of the decade and that we use until today: tube dress, miniskirt, doll shoes, ankle boots, bikini , jeans, leather jackets, cigarette pants, gowns, geometric prints, psychedelic prints and hippie pieces.

According to Camila, the miniskirt is the most characteristic piece of the time and that, to this day, haunts a woman’s wardrobe. “Created by the English Mary Quant and the French André Courrèges who, in fact, attributed the creation to the movement that came from the street, in an expression of feminism and freedom”, explains the consultant.

Juliana also agrees with Camila and, for her, wearing a piece inspired by the 60s makes a look creative and very interesting. “The ideal is to choose just one of the references and complement it with basic pieces, so it doesn’t look overdone or look costumed”, adds Juliana, explaining how to adapt this look to today.

Looks inspired by the 60s

Consultants Juliana and Camila created looks that can help us dress with references from this decade. Juliana also explains that model Alexa Chung always dresses in characteristic pieces from the 60s.

look with polka dots

The characteristic print of the 60s can come in any part of the look. Whether more discreet, as in the shirt below, or more flashy, polka dots are already a classic in print and look great on dresses, shirts and even pants.

psychedelic print look

More colorful prints and geometric shapes appeared in the 60s. Called psychedelics, the prints are still current and are perfect for dresses. When complemented with a leather jacket, it looks more like the 60s.

Midi skirt look

Skirts just below the knee are also great references from the 60s that can still be worn today. Taking care with the proportions, as the length flattens the shortest, the piece is elegant and super feminine, matching all women.

navy inspired look

The navy look is also a good bet to dress according to the 60s. Bet on striped blouses, preferably in navy, cigarette pants and sneakers.

These inspirations can be used both day and night, it all depends on what to wear and how to assemble the look. “The hair with volume at the top is better for the night because it is more sophisticated. A tube of a more neutral color and not so short is perfect for a formal situation”, determines Juliana.

Fortunately, even though we are no longer in the 60s, pieces from that era are easily found today. If you prefer, you can also search bazaars and thrift stores, where you can find period pieces or pieces of strong inspiration. Below is a gallery to find 60s-inspired items in online stores:

Tips for creating beautiful looks without mistakes

It is important to be careful with the occasion and the pieces to be used. Here are some tips for not compromising your look by adopting the 60s in your wardrobe:

• When creating a look inspired by the 60s, choose a very characteristic and flashy item and bet on other neutral pieces to complement;
• “In more formal looks, I recommend a full or tight midi skirt, or even a metallic look, but everything within balance and common sense”, guides Camila;
• Accessories from the 60s are great allies for those who want to be inspired by the time without much effort, and can even be used in work looks;
• In winter, the leather jacket and wet leggings are excellent options to create easy combinations inspired by the fashion of that period.
• In summer, miniskirts and polka dot dresses are free!

bloggers looks

Some inspirations from bloggers to dress up with references from the 60s.