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From psychedelic, bright prints inspired by the art of the era to the invention of pantyhose rendering garter belts unnecessary, and the advance of technology that would now offer a variety of manmade fabrics–1960s lingerie style and trends saw huge a huge evolution from the modest ’50s.
The stalkings got higher, the skirts got shorter, and overall 1960s lingerie made undergarments more fun than ever. Women also began to protest the use of uncomfortable undergarments including girdles, bras, and corsets. Women began to show more natural figures instead of tightening, flattening, or padding to create a different silhouette. Lingerie designers had to adjust their approach to women’s demand for comfort. The most apparent adjustment is the use of new materials including nylon and lycra. To keep the appeal, many manufactures revolutionized the colors and designs of 1960s lingerie. However, the overall theme became “less is more”.
1960s Bra
From the stuffed cup, padded and pointed bra of the 50’s to the soft, natural, lifted, and barely-even-there look of the ’60s–the bra saw a dramatic downsize in material and functionality.
Models like Twiggy had a heavy influence on the bra industry as small busts didn’t need as much support. Complimenting this trend was the women’s movement of the time that viewed bras as a man-made restriction. In an effort to “free the boob” many youngsters were forgoing the undergarment altogether. Along with this sexual revolution, women were showing their natural bodies more than ever before. This natural approach can be seen in many aspects of 1960s lingerie and the effort to keep women in undergarments can be seen in manufacturers’ new approach.
Those who don’t possess naturally small busts were softer, more flexible bras that provided support without the weight and bulk of extra material. The introduction of spandex allowed bras to be increasingly more comfortable and come in a multitude of colors and patterns inspired by 1960s psychedelic art. Bras also became less pointed but still not as plush and rounded as the modern bra. The first sheer nylon bra was introduced in 1965 and offered the most natural look without being braless.
Around the same time, the Wonderbra was in the works which became a sensation on its own. With ultra lifting power and a plunging neckline, the Wonderbra made the most impact with minimal material use. The science and design behind the Wonderbra can still be seen in the modern push-up bra.
1960s Underwear
Following suit with reducing the bulky build of the bra, underwear also saw a reduction in the amount of fabric used. Fiercely feminine and flowered with lace, underwear became more fitted and could be found in high-waisted bikini style or ones that went down to the mid-thigh.
For the most part, underwear was beginning to look more like the modern “granny panty” and came in a variety of prints and colors. There was also a variety that fit like cotton, short shorts.
1960s Shapewear, Girdles, and Corsets
Shapewear, girdles, and corsets were on the decline in the sixties but for those who still depended on them, came great relief. Long gone were the days of painful restriction and science and technology were coming up with more comfortable material that allowed women to feel tucked in and smoothed out without feeling suffocated.
To suit the fashion trends in the 60s girdles weren’t just more flexible but significantly shorter. The hip-restrictive girdle that once held figures back, became no longer plausible for the free woman of the ’60s who demanded movement and comfort from her apparel. Shapewear and girdles became more like a gentle reminder to maintain lifted posture, tuck the hips, and suck in the tummy–opposed to doing it for you.
1960s Pantyhose and Garter Belts
Easily the biggest advancement in undergarments during the ’60s was the invention of the pantyhose or tights. The pantyhose essentially made garter belts obsolete and the concern for seams was gone. The revolution felt like freedom and allowed women to explore more avenues of fashion and self-expression. The garter belts that were still around were slightly supportive. But again, if they weren’t replaced with stalkings, then the rubber mesh garter cuff sewn into the inner leg of pantyhose, was now doing the work of the garter belt with much less material. Plus, this meant no more worry about the lines of a garter belt showing.
Tights became extremely popular and made it safe to wear short-fitted skirts and dresses. They came in a multitude of colors, textures, and patterns and resembled modern-day leggings. Icons like Raquel Welch and Twiggy popularized them even more.
1960s Nightgowns and Peignoir Sets
A lot was happening in the ’60s, inside and outside of lingerie and fashion. Lingerie advertisements reflected a confused marketing effort. Some were highly anti-feminist and seemed to cater to males who bought lingerie for their partner while others supported women empowerment and ads were meant to inspire strength, freedom, and individuality.
Among the most diversely advertised were nightgowns. They were designed and marketed for women to feel luxurious and sexy. The material was flowy and loose and worn over other undergarments or alone. Peignoir sets were brighter and had more fluff and frills than in previous eras. The babydoll look was also still popular though died out toward the late sixties. The ultra-short fluffy bottoms were paired with an oversized top creating a babydoll look meant to appeal to the younger culture.
1960s Lingerie Style & Trends
It’s in the ’60s where we really see lingerie evolve around the natural woman. Where comfort is chosen over shape-shifting, and the natural hip and bust are celebrated. Many lingerie innovations that were realized in the 1960s lingerie are still applied today in women’s fashion and apparel.
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