By the mid 1960s fashion was definitely taking a turn from the ladylike styles that defined women’s fashions during the 1950s and early part of the 60s. Clothing was still feminine, but the silhouettes were becoming much more streamlined. Fashion was being heavily influenced by the counterculture and youth movement, especially the “Mod” look which had its origins in England. Also, major advances in technology resulted in new synthetic “space age” textiles that were less expensive to produce and offered designers more choices for creativity in their designs.
Below are photos of elegant evening fashions that epitomized the styles affluent women were wearing in 1965. If you watch AMC’s Mad Men, you’ve probably seen similar styles this past season, which was set in the same year. All very sophisticated. with a much sleeker, futuristic silhouette.
A strip of pink satin tied at the hips offsets the silver sequined tunic and long pencil skirt nicely.
Designed by Norell.
Norell silver sequined evening tunic and skirt-Oct 1965 Vogue=Photo by Irving Penn
Emilio Pucci hot pink evening gown in silk jersey. Jewelled clasp at waist.
Note the hair piece piled on top of model’s head. Hairpieces, wigs and extensions became a huge fashion trend in the latter part of the 60s.
Emilio Pucci hot pink evening gown- Oct 1965 Vogue-Photo by Irving Penn
Two hems, a short sheath of black velvet with a long brown taffeta overskirt that
wraps on the diagonal. Gold embroidered and mink cuffs. Designed by Balmain.
Balmain evening gown Oct 1965 Vogue- Photo by Irving Penn
Cardin’s “Jet Stream” dress, a body conscious sheath covered in shimmery
beads of white, silvery grey and black. Hem like a folded handkerchief.
Pierre Cardin beaded evening dress Oct 1965 Vogue-Photo by Irving Penn
These two dresses by Madame Gres are a far cry from the draped, bias cut Grecian inspired styles of her earlier designs. But she originally trained as a sculptress and you can see these dresses definitely have a distinctively modern sculptural quality to them!
This fabulous two piece outfit consists of a bias cut red poncho top over a red, green and purple color blocked skirt
with an assymetrical hem.
Madame Gres color block evening ensemble October 1965 Vogue-Photo by Irving Penn
Floor length tent dress in silver, gold, emerald, blue brocade with pointed handkerchief hem.
Brocade gown by Madame Gres Oct 1965 Vogue- Photo by Irving Penn
My two favorites are the Gres color block outfit and the Cardin beaded dress. What are yours?
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Tags: 1960s fashion, 60's fashions, balmain, emilio pucci, evening fashions, Madame Gres, mod fashion, Pierre Cardin
