The Best Winter Looks Of The 1960s
Every bitter winter in England, I struggle to find the perfect collection of outfits that look great and keep me warm at the same time. Bare legs are no no. Crop tops are a death sentence. And don’t even get me started on shoes. So, when the temperature drops, I end up throwing on so many layers that I start to resemble the spare chair in my bedroom.
Somehow, women have been successfully rocking looks during the winter for years. Even the sixties, which is a decade better known for mini skirts, chain mail dresses and bikinis. This is why whenever I have a little bit of a fashion dry spell, I cure it by looking back at the sixties for style inspiration. Here’s how the most stylish women did cold weather fashion 60 years ago.
Après Ski Style
Skiing became a popular sport during the late fifties and throughout the sixties. Jet setters headed to the destinations depicted in Slim Aaron’s photographs as they became the place to be seen. The après ski style was about big sweater jumpers, sometimes with a hood attached and matching thermal trousers. This is a style that is designed for snowier weather, even if you aren’t skiing- it’s all about the after-party.
Huge Fur Coats
Having a huge fur coat has been a winter staple since the dawn of modern fashion and it didn’t disappear during the sixties. There is literally nothing warmer and more classic than a big fur coat. Mods like Twiggy, hippies like Janis Joplin and pop stars like Diana Ross all rocked them. This proves that whatever your style, a fur coat is always a great addition to your winter wardrobe.
Beatnik Style
The alternative beatnik style that trended in 1950s street style, became a favourite look of many style icons during the sixties colder months. Beatnik style pairs perfectly well for the winter because the look often includes a beret, a black turtleneck and some cigarette trousers. The whole outfit would be worn in a dark shade. No wonder it was popular – who wouldn’t look good in all black?
Knitted Jumper Dresses
Knitted jumper dresses became beloved for the first time in the sixties. A lot of style icons helped make them popular from Marilyn Monroe’s baby blue jumper in Let’s Make Love to Francoise Hardy’s chevron maxi on stage in London. There’s no surprise that since the huge jumper dress trend in the sixties, they’re still an item that you can find in modern wardrobes.
Bohemian Style
We still haven’t explored the wardrobes of the hippies and flower children. We often see pictures of them in fields, half-naked which is great (you go Glen Coco!) but not ideal in the middle of January. Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were big trendsetters in the bohemian style area of fashion. Their unique style reflected the hippie communities of San Fransisco and London. They wore gilets and Afghan coats paired with velvets and frilly shirts. They somehow managed to keep their clothing casual and free without compromising on warmth.
After seeing how well everyone dressed 60 years ago, it’s hard to carry on dressing like a pile of laundry. There was a great variety of winter styles during that time which appears to keep you well insulated too. So, as I begin searching for the perfect jumper dress, I’m wondering, which vintage winter style inspires you the most?