Women In The 1960's

Words: 1498
Pages: 6

The 1960s was a time of revolution for the women in America; they were voting, going to college, and working outside of the comfort of their homes. Women fought for equal pay, their substantial status in politics, new technology such as birth control pills and acceptance into more “masculine” activities such as organized sports and clubs. The shift in gender roles that took place during the 1960’s happened at the same time as the change in women’s wear. Women were branching out of their traditional uniforms for society and trying out pieces such as the mini skirt, which “caused hemlines to rise 7-8 inches from the traditional length.” Feminism in the 1960’s affected culture, making itself evident in women’s new roles in society and the corresponding …show more content…
The miniskirt was a symbol of the “youthquake” in the 1960’s; a time where the youth of America influenced most everything and touched upon new ideas for the future. The youthquake movement revolutionized clothing and proved that everything was possible for both young men and women. “Before the 1960s, young women had been expected to dress in the style of their mothers” , demonstrating the lack of creativity the youth of America had in their dress. The miniskirt was a symbol of the youthquake and the change that America was undergoing in the 1960’s because it was a short skirt that was no longer stuffy or confining. Women were free to move around and be more comfortable in the miniskirt, which was important if they had somewhere to be, such as catching a train or driving to work. Andres Courreges changed the fashion game by bringing the miniskirt into the mainstream fashion of the …show more content…
Women’s clothing was filled with color, prints, and texture that was expressive of who the woman in the clothing was. The emphasis of color was complimented by raised hemlines on shorts and skirts, such as the mini skirt. Hot pants were also a new style adopted by women during the hot summers in order to stay cool as opposed to covering up just to follow what society told them as conservative. Bikinis were a highly popular style of swimwear in the 60’s. They were revealing and revolutionary, women were finally beginning to be able to show their bodies without feeling shameful or scandalous. On the more professional end of the shift in fashion during the 1960’s, pant suits were introduced for working women. They made their look professional and formed a parallel between menswear and women’s wear. The masculine look was a way for women to be taken more seriously in the workforce. Along with the pant suit, women were cutting their hair short in order to streamline their morning routine and get them to work