For obvious reasons, it’s commonplace to think of the sixties as a whole decade. However, in terms of fashion, it can be viewed as two separate and very distinct parts: the first, mostly just modification of fifties style; the second, the wild fashion frenzy for which the decade is best remembered.

The first half of the sixties was reminiscent of the fifties: conservative, ladylike, and proper. Petticoats and girdles were mandatory, gloves were expected on special occasions, and short skirts were not only taboo, but practically nonexistent. However, even in the early sixties, there was foreshadowing of change to come. Dresses were being produced in brighter colors and bolder prints, though the styles and cuts of them were essentially the same. Jacqueline Kennedy (the youngest, and arguably most fashionable, first lady of America to date) is considered to be a fairly influential style icon of the early sixties. Her trademarks were a-line shift dresses, boxy jackets, and pillbox hats, all of which were very popular in the first half of the sixties.

The second half of the sixties was heavy with social and political conflict. The dynamic changes sweeping the world manifested themselves in music (think The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, etc.), art (Andy Warhol, anybody?), and (of course) fashion. Since the beginning of the 20th century, acceptable skirt lengths had become gradually shorter. Then, in 1965, designer Mary Quant introduced the Mini Skirt. Needless to say, this changed fashion forever. For stylish girls in the western world, short skirts were practically a uniform, often accompanied by brightly colored tights and stockings, which were also getting popular.

At this point, the leaders of mens’ style were the British Modernists, or Mods. Their style was characterized as being very different from the more prim and proper fashions of the fifties. The look of the Mods was classy: they mimicked the clothing and hairstyles of high-fashion designers in France and Itally, usually opting for well-tailored suits and anoraks, which became their trademark. The Mods’ style of dressing was also called the city gent look.

For women, velvet mini dresses with lace collars and matching cuffs, wide tent dresses and culottes were in vogue. False eyelashes were popular, as was pale lipstick. Skirts continued to get shorter; by 1968 they had reached well above mid-thigh. These were known as “micro-minis” and were available in several different styles. For daytime outerwear, dyed fake furs, short plastic raincoats, and swing coats were popular for young women. In 1966, the Nehru jacket gained popularity for both men and women. Late in the decade, the androgynous hippie look would also become popular.

So, how are the 60s relevant to those of us living in 2010? Make sure to check out this video, a tutorial of how to create a 60s-inspired hair and make-up look.