Swing into the Sixties

CEBU, Philippines - It’s safe to say that 2011 has been a year of revivals. If it’s not true to music, it’s definitely true in fashion. From retro swimsuits to 70s fashion, it has been one blast into the past with each decade of the 20th century being fairly represented on the runway.

Decades like the 80s were brought back to life in distinct fits and starts while those like the 20s and 30s have never been too far to reach. Although tousling on Brigitte Bardot’s sex-kitten ‘do and pulling up your teeny tiniest mini may be hot on your list, sweetie, there really is no better time than now to swing right into the 60s. 

Although the runway has been highly saturated with 70s fashion, a few key designers decided to push the trends a decade back and make a statement marching to the drum of the sixties. For starters, Burberry Prosum hit the runways on a swinging London note by bringing in bright block-colored coats and structured short-hemmed dresses. Muccia Prada, on the other hand, worked it with distinct flapper styles mixed with 60s mod all stirred into a graphic pleated concoction topped with mary jane heels. Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Venetta weren’t to be left behind.

For the stylista who is hell bent into adding a dash of the sixties into her fab wardrobe, here are three key looks to get you swinging into that sixties vibe:

Mad for Mod

Here’s a simple mathematical formula straight from the sixties: Mod = Twiggy + Jean Shrimpton. Who could ever forget those lovely long legs growing out from those illegally short but classy hemlines? When one talks about the sixties, it’s either you think of those two or Mary Quant’s iconic designs. 

This year, mod will mark the sixties and when you talk about mod, you talk about getting the checks down pat on this list of what makes up this iconic sixties style:

• Big wide eyes and long, lovely top and bottom lashes

• Bold, bright colors in blocks

• Swing coats and capes

• Penny loafers or other masculine shoes

• Graphic prints or colorful abstract and geometric patterns

• Short, boyish ‘dos

Fan of Folk

The sixties were also marked by folk fashion which is a lot more low-key and a lot softer than mod. Folk fashion is perfect for the ultra feminine given its spike of Parisian chic. This is the look that girls who look up to Jane Birkin and Francois Hardy will want to cap.

Cap the 60s folk look with these key elements:

• Lovely lace and sheer pieces

• Effortless sexiness with neatly brushed hair

• Winged eyeliner

• Peter-pan collars

• Monochrome instead of color blocks

• Neutrals like cream, beige, white, and black

• Low slung belts

• Ultra-short hemlines

Psyched for the Sex Kitten Look

Perhaps one of the sixties looks that has made many a man go gaga, the sex kitten look is perhaps one sixties cliché that’s about to take center stage more than its mod and folk sisters. It’s teasing and playful, and it’s definitely something that will play up on the viewer’s imagination. Think about the style of sixties sex kittens like Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot, Ann Margaret, Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren, and Elizabeth Taylor, and yes, you get the picture.

Nab their look with:

• Long lashes, an overdose of eyeliner, and a sultry pout

• Cuts that highlight all the right curves. This means bringing the eyes to the bust and the hips

• Effortless bed hair. You may also want to seriously try capping bouffants

• Slim pencil skirts or all-out full circle skirts. Either that or high-waisted cropped pants

The 60s won’t just be perfect for the holiday season. Bring out the color and make your sixties pieces go a long, long way well into the first quarter of 2012 with updated versions of any of the three looks.