The Early 1960s: Tailored and Traditional
In the early part of the decade, men dressed much like the late 1950s. Suits were the standard for work and formal events. Jackets had a natural shoulder, not padded like the 1940s. Trousers were tapered but not tight. Think of Don Draper from Mad Men — that look is spot-on for 1960 through 1963.
Colors were conservative: charcoal, navy, brown, and olive. Most suits were made from wool or wool-blends. Shirts were white or light blue with a button-down collar. Ties were thin — two to two and a half inches wide. The skinny tie became a signature early-60s item. Hats were still common. Fedoras in felt or straw. Men wore leather oxford shoes, usually black or brown, with a cap toe. You would polish them with wax and use a horsehair brush to keep them looking sharp.
If you want to recreate this look today, get a slim-fit suit that sits at your natural waist. Pair it with a slim tie and a white oxford cloth button-down. Avoid wide lapels — narrow works best. Shoes should be plain or cap-toe oxfords. A fedora is optional, but it completes the look.
The Mod Revolution: Slim Silhouettes and Bold Colors
By the mid-1960s, British mod culture crossed the Atlantic. Young men rejected the conservative suits. They wore slim-cut suits with narrow lapels, high armholes, and trousers that almost looked like drainpipes. Jackets were often three-button or two-button, sometimes with a center vent for movement.
Colors got bolder. Think powder blue, bright grey, even burgundy. Patterns like Prince of Wales check or houndstooth were popular. Shirts changed too. Turtlenecks became stylish, especially under a suit jacket. Roll-neck sweaters in fine knit wool or cotton replaced dress shirts on casual days. The Beatles wore this look — slim-cut suits and Chelsea boots.
Footwear for the mod man meant Chelsea boots. They had a pointed toe, a low heel, and elastic side panels. Made from leather or suede. Black was the classic color, but brown and tan suede were common. Take care of suede boots with a suede brush and protector spray. For leather, use conditioner every few months.
Accessories: skinny ties — very narrow, often all silk. Tie bars were common. Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses became a staple. If you want the mod look today, get a slim-fit two-button suit in a light grey or blue. Wear a black turtleneck or white slim-fit shirt. Add a pair of black Chelsea boots. No need for a hat — the mod look was all about the hair.
Casual Wear: The Rise of the Sport Coat and Chinos
Even in the 60s, men had casual days. The sport coat (or sports jacket) was the go-to. It was less structured than a suit jacket. Often made from tweed, wool, or corduroy. It had patch pockets and a softer shoulder. You paired it with dress slacks or chinos. Khaki chinos were standard. So were olive or navy.
For shirts, the polo shirt became popular. It was a casual alternative to a button-down. Lacoste made the first ones — cotton piqué, short-sleeved, with a small crocodile logo. You could wear them untucked or tucked. Also common: plain crew-neck sweaters and cardigans. Cashmere and lambswool were popular materials.
Jeans were still mostly for younger men or for heavy work. Levi’s 501s were the jean of choice. They were straight-leg, button-fly, and indigo denim. Most men wore them with a plain t-shirt or a chambray shirt. Sneakers became more common. Converse All Stars and Keds were popular. For a step up, canvas plimsolls or leather sneakers like the Adidas Stan Smith (which debuted in 1965).
To dress casually like a 60s man today: wear a tweed sport coat over a cotton button-down shirt and khaki chinos. Add suede desert boots. Or go for the youthful look: Levi’s 501s, a white t-shirt, and black Converse. Keep the t-shirt plain — no logos.
The Late 1960s: Hippie and Counterculture Style
From about 1967 onward, men’s fashion exploded. The hippie movement brought bright colors, patterns, and loose fits. Bell-bottom trousers became the defining item. They were tight through the hip and thigh and flared out below the knee. Denim bell-bottoms, corduroy, or even polyester.
Shirts had large collars — often called “Kipling collars” or “spearpoint collars.” They were printed with paisley, floral, or psychedelic patterns. Many men wore unbuttoned shirts over a t-shirt or wore nothing under a vest. The Nehru jacket — a high-collar coat — was briefly popular after the Beatles wore them.
Denim ruled. Jeans were patched and embroidered. Jackets were denim too, often with shearling lining. Vests made from suede or leather were common. Colorful headbands, bandanas, and round wire-frame sunglasses (John Lennon-style) finished the look. Hair was long — the longer, the better. Beards were fashionable for the first time since the Civil War.
Footwear in the late 60s: sandals (especially leather ones), moccasins, and combat boots. The last were worn by both men and women. For higher fashion, you could wear pointed-toe boots with a Cuban heel. But most hippies went for comfort.
To replicate the late 60s hippie look today: get a pair of well-fitting bell-bottom jeans (not too extreme — just a moderate flare). Wear a printed paisley shirt with a few buttons open. Add a leather vest or a denim jacket. Finish with round sunglasses and a pair of leather sandals or boots.
Footwear Choices Through the Decade
Men’s shoes in the 60s mirrored the overall shift in style. Early on, it was all about classic leather oxfords and brogues. Brogues are lace-up shoes with decorative perforations. They were worn with suits and sport coats. Black or brown calfskin was standard. Take care of them with saddle soap to clean, then a neutral or matching polish. Use a cedar shoe tree to keep the shape.
For casual wear, desert boots became big. Clarks Originals launched them in 1950, but they peaked in the 60s. They have a crepe rubber sole and a suede upper. They look good with chinos and a sport coat. Clean suede with a suede eraser or brush. Avoid getting them wet.
Loafers — especially penny loafers — were a casual dress shoe. They came in leather or suede. The Weejun by G.H. Bass was the iconic model. Loafers worked with khakis, slacks, or even jeans (if you were young and daring).
Sneakers for sports and casual wear. Converse All Stars in black or white. Keds Pro-Keds for a clean canvas look. And in 1969, Nike (then Blue Ribbon Sports) started making their own sneakers, but the mainstream was still Converse and Adidas.
Pro tip for buying vintage-style shoes today: look for brands like Clarks, G.H. Bass, and Converse. They still make models true to the original. For oxfords and brogues, check Loake or Meermin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did men wear to work in the 1960s?
Most men wore suits — a two-piece suit with a jacket and trousers. Shirts were white or light blue with a button-down collar. Ties were standard. Early 60s suits were boxier. Late 60s office wear got slimmer and brighter, but conservative businesses stuck to navy and grey. Hat and fedora were common until about 1965.
Were jeans popular in the 60s?
Yes, but mostly for younger men. Levi’s 501 straight-leg jeans were the standard. Khakis and corduroy pants were more common for casual wear among older men. In the late 60s, bell-bottom jeans became a hippie and youth staple. Many guys embroidered or patched their jeans to personalize them.
How did men dress for casual events in the 1960s?
They wore sport coats or sweaters with dress slacks or chinos. Button-down shirts were the norm. Polo shirts were gaining popularity. For very casual occasions, a t-shirt and jeans (for young men) or a crew-neck sweater and khakis. Sneakers were acceptable for picnics and sports. For the late 60s, it was bell-bottoms, printed shirts, and sandals or boots.
What shoes did men wear with suits in the 1960s?
Lace-up oxfords — plain toe or cap toe — were standard. Brogues were also common. For mod style, Chelsea boots. Most shoes were leather, black or brown. The early 60s had a wider toe. By the mid-60s, a more pointed toe came in. Late 60s saw wider “duckbill” toes on some dress shoes, but that was more of a European fashion.