60s Fashion Magazine: Iconic Styles, Influential Trends & Must-Know Publications

60s Fashion Magazine

Introduction to 60s Fashion Magazine

The 1960s was a revolutionary decade for fashion, marked by experimentation, bold statements, and rapid societal change. Fashion magazines during this era played a crucial role in shaping trends and influencing the world of style. With the advent of color photography and the rise of youth culture, 60s Fashion Magazine became the go-to source for those seeking the latest looks, celebrity styles, and avant-garde designs.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the influence of 60s fashion magazines, the trends they popularized, and some of the most important publications of the time.


The Rise of Fashion Magazines in the 1960s

Fashion magazines in the 1960s were not just about showcasing the latest trends but were cultural touchstones. As television and other mass media gained popularity, magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle became primary sources for fashion enthusiasts.

The 1960s was a time of social and cultural upheaval, and the fashion industry mirrored this shift. The youth counterculture, the feminist movement, and the growing prominence of models and celebrities like Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot were often highlighted in magazines.

Key Characteristics of 60s Fashion Magazine:

  • Bold Photography: The 60s saw the use of bold, color photography, which allowed fashion to be seen in a new light.
  • Youth Influence: Teenagers and young adults became a dominant force in setting fashion trends, reflected in magazine features.
  • Celebrity Culture: Magazines began to feature celebrities regularly, including models, actresses, and musicians, as fashion icons.
  • Innovative Layouts: Designers experimented with layouts and graphic design, making magazines visually striking.

60s Fashion Magazine
60s Fashion Magazine

Iconic 60s Fashion Trends Featured in Magazines

1. Mod Fashion

Mod fashion was perhaps the most iconic style of the 1960s. It was characterized by clean lines, geometric patterns, and bold colors. British designers like Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon revolutionized the fashion industry, and their designs were frequently featured in fashion magazines.

Key Mod Pieces:

  • Mini skirts
  • Shift dresses
  • Go-go boots
  • Bold prints (checkerboard, stripes)

2. Hippie Chic

The late 60s saw the rise of hippie fashion, inspired by the counterculture movement. This style was influenced by bohemian aesthetics, with flowy garments, ethnic prints, and the use of natural fabrics like hemp and cotton.

Key Hippie Pieces:

  • Bell-bottom jeans
  • Tie-dye shirts
  • Peasant blouses
  • Headbands and flower crowns

3. Space Age Fashion

Inspired by the moon landing and the space race, Space Age fashion emerged in the mid-60s. Designers like André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin experimented with futuristic materials like PVC and metallics, creating designs that looked out of this world.

Key Space Age Pieces:

  • Metallic fabrics
  • Bold geometric cuts
  • Boots and space helmets as fashion accessories

60s Fashion Magazine
60s Fashion Magazine

Influential 60s Fashion Magazines

Vogue

Perhaps the most influential fashion magazine of the 1960s, Vogue set the tone for fashion trends and style during the decade. The magazine’s emphasis on elegance, combined with its coverage of new and emerging designers, made it a staple in the fashion world.

  • Vogue helped to popularize the Mod look and gave coverage to the youthful movement that defined the 1960s.
  • It also featured groundbreaking models like Twiggy, who became a global icon of the era.

Harper’s Bazaar

Harper’s Bazaar was known for its high-fashion photography and coverage of glamorous, sophisticated styles. In the 1960s, it balanced between showing avant-garde designs and classic couture, featuring famous designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Coco Chanel.

  • Harper’s Bazaar covered the growing influence of American designers and featured editorial spreads with top models of the time.
  • The magazine’s content also reflected social changes, focusing on topics like women’s empowerment and modern femininity.

Elle

Founded in 1945, Elle became one of the leading fashion publications in the 1960s. It was one of the first magazines to promote French chic and modern European fashion in a way that resonated with global audiences.

  • Elle focused on youthful, practical, and often experimental fashion.
  • The magazine played a key role in the internationalization of fashion, showcasing styles from around the world.

Seventeen

Focused on the teenage demographic, Seventeen became a vital magazine in the 1960s, especially as the youth counterculture started shaping fashion. The magazine helped define the styles of young women and featured everything from casual wear to the latest prom dresses.

  • Seventeen also catered to the rising popularity of new music and celebrity culture, showcasing musicians and actors who influenced the fashion scene.

Table of 60s Fashion Magazines and Their Influence

Magazine Key Features Influential Designers/Models Target Audience
Vogue High fashion, elegant, avant-garde layouts Twiggy, Yves Saint Laurent, Mary Quant Fashion-forward women
Harper’s Bazaar Couture, high-end fashion, social commentary Coco Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Jean Shrimpton Glamorous women
Elle Youthful, practical, European chic Brigitte Bardot, André Courrèges Young, cosmopolitan women
Seventeen Teen-focused, casual wear, beauty tips The Beatles, Ann-Margret Teenagers and young adults

The Impact of 60s Fashion Magazines on Modern Fashion

Fashion magazines from the 1960s had a lasting impact on the way we view style today. Many of the trends and styles from this period are still relevant, often resurfacing in modern fashion cycles. For example, the mini skirt, popularized in the 60s, continues to be a staple in contemporary wardrobes.

Additionally, the celebrity-driven culture of the 60s, with models like Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot becoming household names, laid the foundation for today’s fashion industry, where celebrities and influencers dictate trends.


Conclusion

The 1960s was a decade of cultural and societal shifts, and fashion magazines played a crucial role in documenting and shaping those changes. From the Mod movement to Space Age designs, 60s fashion magazines helped bring new ideas and designs to the forefront, influencing the course of fashion for decades to come.


Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All trademarks, images, and other intellectual property referenced are the property of their respective owners. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any organization, company, or entity.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *