1960s Mens Fashion: From Swinging Gents to Flower Power

From martini-drinking swank and mod moptops to hippy style, 1960s fashion for guys was dynamic. It made a truly important impression on our style and stays with us today.

Source: @retrograde.convert

When I mention 1960s men’s fashion, what do you often think about? James Bond’s white dinner jacket, perhaps? Maybe for you, it’s The Beatles and their moppish Arthur cuts. If you were a ‘90s baby, you might remember ‘60s revivalism — peace signs, flower power, and platforms.

Here, we think social media caused fashion to change at a light speed. 

A lot happened in the ‘60s, and this affected style. So, there are a wide range of ‘60s fashion trends. They each had a different vibe depending on what part of the decade you’re looking at. 

Still, there is an overarching theme: The proliferation of media and pop culture affected self-expression. Does this sound familiar? Let’s go back in time to see what and why men wore what they wore then.

1960 Menswear, 1960s Male Fashion and Events of the Era

At the beginning of the decade, clothes weren’t that different from the ‘50s. So, 1960 menswear included similar, clean-lined but loose tailoring. We also saw the ubiquity of the dress shirt, and, of course, polos for those casual backyard barbecues.

Look at Connery’s suit’s clean yet boxy cut in the first James Bond film from 1962. George Peppard’s suit jackets were similar to those in Breakfast at Tiffany’s from 1961. These, of course, are two undeniably stylish films. And they represent early popular male clothes in the 1960s.