The 1960s gives you far more to work with than tie-dye and peace signs. The decade starts with polished sheath dresses and pillbox hats, swings into London mod and go-go boots, and ends in velvet, fringe and flower crowns. That split is the first thing I sort out with anyone dressing for a 60s party: mod belongs to the early and middle years, while the loose hippie look took over from around 1967. Pick a side of that line and the costume reads clearly. Most of the 30 looks below can be pulled from a thrift store or your own wardrobe, and there are solo, couple, group and family options for every comfort level.
Spotting a Thrift Dress With a Real 60s Shape
Most of these costumes start with a dress or a pair of trousers from a charity shop, and the shape matters more than the print. When I'm sorting through a rail for a 60s look, I check a few things before I even try anything on.
- Shift and A-line dresses hang straight from the shoulder or flare gently from the bust, with no defined waist seam. That is the mod shape.
- A fitted bodice with a nipped waist and a full skirt belongs to the early 60s and the 50s, which suits the First Lady, housewife and girl group looks.
- Hems can be shortened easily. A modern knee-length shift becomes a mini with one new hem, so don't pass on a good dress because it's too long.
- Bell-bottoms should flare from the knee, not the ankle. A bootcut jean is too subtle to read as 60s.
- Thick polyester knits hold a crisp mod line better than thin jersey, which clings and loses the graphic shape.
Prices vary a lot between shops, so it's worth checking a few before buying a new costume. Wash anything secondhand before you wear it close to your face.
1. Go-Go Dancer Costume With White Boots
The go-go dancer is all about the boots and the hemline. An above-the-knee shift dress with color blocking or a bold circle print is the base, with opaque tights under it for warmth. White knee-high boots give the classic silhouette, but I'll steer anyone dancing all night toward white ankle boots instead; tall patent boots rub at the back of the knee after an hour. A flipped bob or a high ponytail with a wide headband sets the hair. Heavy black liner and a pale lip finish the face, with plastic bangles and a small white bag.
2. Black And White Mod Costume
Black and white mod lives or dies on clean lines, so I'm strict about accessories here. A sleeveless A-line mini with checks, stripes or color-blocked panels, white tights and black patent ankle boots with a low block heel are the base. A short bob wig helps, or straighten your own hair and push it back with a wide white headband. Draw the eyes wide and round with black liquid liner and separated lashes, then keep the lip neutral. One pair of big round earrings is enough; three accessories start to muddy the graphic effect.
3. Flower Child Hippie Costume
A flower child costume should look a little handmade, which is good news for anyone who sews. Flared jeans or a maxi skirt, a peasant blouse and a fringed faux-suede vest are the start. Hand-stitched embroidered flowers or a few iron-on patches on the jeans are the detail I'd add first, because they read from across a room in a way a plain blouse doesn't. Hair goes loose with a center part and a fabric band across the forehead. Round tinted glasses, wooden beads and a fabric crossbody bag finish it, with ankle boots or clogs for the weather.
4. Woodstock Festival Costume
Woodstock was a muddy, rainy outdoor festival in 1969, and the costume works best when it looks lived-in. Worn bell-bottoms, a tie-dye tee and a long fringed vest or an army-green jacket make the base, with a wide belt and several strands of beads. If your jeans are too new, I'd rub the knees and hems with fine sandpaper to soften them. Long, slightly messy hair with a center part looks right. A rolled blanket strapped across the back is a fun prop that doubles as a seat. Weathered ankle boots beat sandals if the party is outside.
5. Men’s Hippie Costume With Bell-Bottoms
For a men's hippie look, I aim for loose and layered rather than neat. Brown, rust or denim bell-bottoms with a floral, paisley or tie-dye shirt worn open at the collar, plus a fringed vest. A long wavy wig or your own center-parted hair sets the late-decade feel. Cheap long wigs tangle at the nape where they rub a collar, so brush them out with a wide-tooth comb and a little detangler before you wear them. Tinted round glasses, a peace medallion and a fabric headband are the accessories. Chelsea boots or moccasin-style shoes suit it.
6. Men’s Mod Costume With Slim Suit
The men's mod look is about fit more than anything you add. Slim black trousers, a fitted white shirt, a skinny tie and a narrow-lapel blazer in navy, burgundy or gray. A fine-knit turtleneck can replace the shirt and tie. I check trouser length first: mod trousers should just touch the top of the shoe without a break, so a quick pinned hem often helps a modern pair. A neat mop top or a short dark wig with a smooth fringe goes on top. Black Chelsea boots are the right shoe, and a small vintage-style camera makes a good prop.
7. British Invasion Musician Costume
A British Invasion musician doesn't need a stage outfit. Slim black pants, a crisp button-down and a collarless jacket or fitted dark blazer, with black Chelsea boots. A collarless jacket is easy to fake: fold the lapels of a slim blazer under and tack them flat with a few stitches inside. Wear a mop-top wig or comb medium hair forward over the forehead. Cardboard guitars or drumsticks are light props. For a group, dress four friends in the same jacket shape and give each a different instrument; the matching silhouettes do the work.
8. Psychedelic Rock Star Costume
A psychedelic rock star is louder than a hippie, with velvet and pattern instead of denim. Velvet flares and a vividly printed shirt are the base, layered with a military-style jacket or brocade vest. Velvet gets hot, which is worth knowing for an indoor party, so I'd choose a lightweight stretch velvet over a heavy one. A curly shoulder-length wig, smudged liner and tinted aviators add the attitude. Platform boots finish it. With this many patterns, keep them in one color family so the layers look chosen rather than grabbed.
9. Space Age Costume With Silver Dress
Space age is the decade's optimistic, futuristic side. A structured silver or white shift dress with a high neckline and short hem, white opaque tights and shiny boots form the base. Silver lamé shows every wrinkle and can't take a hot iron, so I steam it from a distance or hang it in a steamy bathroom. A smooth platinum bob wig and a wide metallic headband give the profile. Silver shadow with crisp black liner and a pale pink lip keep the face clean. Big circular earrings and metallic cuffs are enough; skip anything bulky or dark.
10. 1969 Astronaut Costume
The 1969 moon landing makes the astronaut an easy year-specific costume. White coveralls or a matching white shirt and pants are the base, with felt mission-style patches of your own design. A silver belt, white gloves and white high-tops add the suit details. If you make a helmet, keep the face opening wide so you can see your feet on stairs, and make it light enough to carry under your arm most of the night. A small backpack covered in silver fabric becomes the life-support pack. Reflective tape picks up camera flash nicely.
11. Pop Art Comic Costume
Pop art comic is a makeup-led look, and the clothes are simple: a bright red, blue or yellow dress or jumpsuit with matching tights and ankle boots. The face does the work, with black outlines, white highlight marks and evenly spaced dots. I do the dots with the flat end of a makeup brush handle dipped in cream paint, which gives cleaner circles than a pencil. Patch-test any face paint on the inner wrist the day before and set it with translucent powder so the lines don't smear by midnight. A speech-bubble sign with an original phrase is the prop.
12. Holly Golightly Costume With Black Dress
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is the elegant early-60s choice for a dressier party. A sleeveless black sheath at the knee, sheer black tights and low heels or pointed flats if you'll be standing for hours. The high polished updo is what sells it; I build it over a little teasing at the crown and set it with pins crossed in an X so it survives a coat going on and off. Faux pearls, long black gloves and oversized sunglasses are the signature pieces. A paper bakery bag is a light, funny prop.
13. Twiggy Mod Model Costume
Twiggy's look is a short shift dress and those painted lower lashes. Wear a bright shift with a high neck and an above-the-knee hem, white tights and flat Mary Janes or short white boots. A cropped blonde pixie wig is the quickest change, or slick your own hair with a deep side part. For the eyes, draw a line in the crease with black liner and paint individual lower lashes with a fine liquid liner. Practice the lashes once before the party; they take a steady hand, and a wobbly one is hard to fix without starting over. Keep lips pale.
14. First Lady Costume With Pillbox Hat
An early-60s First Lady look is polished and modest, and it suits work parties. A pastel skirt suit, or a cropped jacket over a knee-length sheath, in pale pink, powder blue or ivory. Sheer tights and low pumps in a neutral shade. The pillbox hat is the defining piece. I secure it with two bobby pins through small elastic loops sewn inside the band, which keeps it level at the back of the crown. Short gloves, faux pearls and a structured top-handle bag finish it. Keep the styling about the fashion and leave out any reference to tragic events.
15. Pop Art Muse Costume With Black Tights
The pop art muse is the minimal, downtown version of the decade. A black long-sleeve mini dress, opaque tights and flat ballet shoes or short boots form the base, with oversized metallic earrings and silver cuffs. A short platinum bob, thick black liner and a pale, nude lip give the graphic face. Pale foundation can look gray in photos if it's too light, so I'd go only a shade lighter than your own skin. A vintage-style film camera is the prop. A patterned faux-fur coat over the top adds drama for anyone who wants more.
16. Groovy Secret Agent Costume
The 1960s spy films were colorful and silly, and this costume leans into that. A velvet suit in royal blue, purple or green with a ruffled white shirt and a patterned neck scarf is the base, with slim trousers and heeled Chelsea boots. A ruffled shirt is easy to fake by gathering a strip of lace or chiffon and stitching it down the placket of a plain white shirt. Round tinted glasses and a faux communicator watch are the gadgets. Carry a cardboard case labeled with a made-up mission instead of any weapon prop.
17. Female Secret Agent Costume
A female secret agent can be sleek in a fitted black turtleneck and cigarette pants, or playful in a color-blocked mini dress with opaque tights. Flat knee-high boots let you move all evening. A smooth bob or a high ponytail and sharp cat-eye liner give the period face. The utility belt is my favorite detail: thread a belt through a few small pouches holding a notebook, a compact mirror and a fake ID card. A structured mini briefcase makes the character clear. Leave out anything that looks like real tactical gear.
18. 1960s Flight Attendant Costume
A 1960s flight attendant is all coordination: a fitted knee-length dress or skirt suit in bright blue, red or mustard, a contrasting printed neck scarf, sheer tights and low block-heel pumps. A small matching cap sits on a tidy bob or French twist. I pin the cap toward the front of the head, not the crown, since that's where the period photos show it sitting. Short gloves, a name badge for a made-up airline and a boarding-pass booklet as a prop round it out. Avoid real airline logos.
19. 1960s Secretary Costume
The 60s secretary costume is classic officewear from a thrift store. A fitted cardigan over a collared blouse with a high-waisted pencil skirt at the knee, sheer tights and low pumps or loafers. A curled bob or a neat flip held with a narrow headband sets the hair. Flips drop fast in humid weather, so I set them with hot rollers and a firm-hold spray, then avoid touching them. Cat-eye glasses on a chain and a small notepad with a pencil are the props. It suits office parties well because it's comfortable all day.
20. 1960s Housewife Costume
A 1960s housewife costume can be playful without turning into a joke at anyone's expense. A printed fit-and-flare dress in gingham or florals with a colorful waist apron over it, nude tights and low pumps or flats. A curled bouffant or a high ponytail tied with a scarf is the hair, with black liner and a bright lip. A full skirt hangs better with a soft net petticoat under it; it doesn't need to be stiff. An empty mixing bowl and a wooden spoon, plus a recipe card tucked in the apron pocket, are the props.
21. Beatnik Poet Costume
The beatnik poet is the easiest last-minute look on this list. A black turtleneck with slim black pants or a knee-length pencil skirt, opaque tights and loafers or ballet flats. A black beret goes on top; it slides off fine or smooth hair, so I pin it at the back with two bobby pins hidden under the brim. Defined black liner and a muted red lip give the face. A notebook of your own poetry and black sunglasses complete the character. Almost everyone has the pieces already.
22. 1960s Surfer Costume
A 60s surfer brings beach color to a dark October night. Colorful board shorts over opaque leggings, a striped tee or an open floral camp shirt and a light zip jacket. October is cold for beachwear, so the leggings and jacket aren't optional for an outdoor party. Canvas sneakers or slip-ons beat bare feet. Tousled waves, or a sun-streaked wig, and a little bronzer set the face. A cardboard surfboard is easy to make, but keep it under about four feet; anything longer catches in doorways. Stick to aqua, coral, yellow and white.
23. 1960s Biker Girl Costume
The biker girl is the tough alternative to mod dresses and hippie layers. Fitted black pants, a plain white tee and a cropped faux-leather jacket form the base, with a printed neck scarf and black ankle boots you can walk in. A high beehive takes teasing and a lot of spray; I build it over a small foam hair roll pinned at the crown, which keeps the height without endless backcombing. Bold cat-eye liner and a matte red lip finish the face. Carry a vintage-style helmet as a prop rather than wearing it all night, and skip any realistic gang symbols.
24. Flower Power Couple Costume
A flower power couple shares a theme without matching exactly. One person wears flared jeans, a tie-dye shirt, a fringed vest and brown boots; the other wears a floral maxi dress, a faux-suede vest and clogs. Both get long center-parted hair or wavy wigs with fabric headbands in complementary colors. The piece I'd match is one accessory, like the same bead necklace on both, so the pair connects at a glance. Small cosmetic flowers near one eye, round glasses and silk daisies are the extras. Repeat two or three colors across both outfits.
25. Mod Couple Costume
A mod couple works best with one bold accent color repeated across both people, like orange, blue or lime. One partner wears a geometric A-line mini, opaque tights and white knee-high boots; the other wears slim trousers, a fitted turtleneck, a narrow-lapel blazer and black Chelsea boots. Hair is a bob or smooth ponytail and a neat mop top. I'd match the scarves to the accent color, since a scarf is the cheapest way to add it to an otherwise neutral suit. A vintage-style camera is a good shared prop at a crowded party.
26. Retro Spy Couple Costume
A retro spy couple is cinematic and a bit silly. One person wears a colorful velvet suit, a ruffled shirt, narrow boots and tinted round glasses; the other wears a fitted metallic mini dress, opaque tights, white boots and long gloves. Neat period hair suits both, a short side-parted cut and a smooth bouffant. Long gloves slip down; a small loop of clear elastic stitched inside the top and hooked over a finger stops them crumpling at the wrist. Fake ID cards and a silver briefcase are the shared props. No realistic weapons.
27. 1960s Girl Group Costume
Three or four friends make a great 1960s girl group. Matching knee-length dresses in the same shape, in satin or coordinated pastels, give the stage feel while different colors let each person stand out. Sheer tights and comfortable low heels or pointed flats. Bouffants or curled bobs with matching headbands and winged liner pull the group together. Satin shows sweat marks under the arms, so I'd wear a fitted cotton camisole under it on a warm night. Toy microphones and matching gloves are the props. Practice one synchronized pose for photos.
28. Psychedelic Band Group Costume
A made-up psychedelic band is a fun group costume, and it lets everyone dress differently. Mix velvet flares, paisley shirts, military-style jackets, fringed vests and patterned maxi dresses, giving each person a slightly different palette. Long wavy wigs, mustaches, headbands and round glasses build each persona. With five people in five patterns, I'd pick one shared color, like burnt orange, and make sure everyone wears a bit of it, or the group photo looks random. Cardboard instruments and a hand-painted band logo on a small drum finish the act.
29. 1960s Family Costume
A 1960s family can mix the decade's movements while still looking like one group. One adult wears a mod suit; another wears a flower-print shift with white boots. Kids make easy flower children in flared pants, bright shirts, vests and sneakers. For children, I keep hair simple and secure, glasses without dark lenses and bead necklaces on breakaway elastic so they can't catch. Washable face-paint flowers on the cheeks are plenty of makeup. Orange, yellow, aqua and white tie everyone together in family photos.
30. Scooby-Doo Friends Group Costume
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! premiered in 1969, so the mystery gang makes a colorful end-of-decade group costume, and every character is built from plain clothes. Fred needs a white sweater, blue pants and an orange neck scarf; Daphne a purple dress, green scarf and lavender headband; Velma an orange turtleneck, red skirt, knee socks and glasses; Shaggy a loose green shirt and brown pants. The colors are what identify each one, so I match them to the cartoon as closely as the thrift rail allows. A fifth friend can wear a soft brown dog costume with a blue collar.
Mod Eyeliner and Painted Lashes at Home
The eye makeup is half of most of these looks, and you don't need professional skills to do a good version. I'm talking about everyday makeup here, not stage effects, and a little practice the week before makes a big difference.
Crease line and lower lashes
For the mod crease, look straight ahead in the mirror and draw a soft arc just above your natural crease with a black pencil, then go over it with liquid liner once you like the shape. For painted lower lashes, use a fine-tip liquid liner and draw short, separate strokes from the lash line downward, spacing them evenly. Start at the outer corner, where mistakes are easiest to hide.
- Patch-test any new liner or face paint on the inner wrist the day before.
- Press a little translucent powder over pencil lines so they don't smudge in a warm room.
- A cotton bud dipped in micellar water fixes a wobble without removing the whole eye.
- Take it off with an oil cleanser or makeup remover before bed rather than scrubbing with soap.
Mod or Hippie? Settle the Year First
Sixties fashion ran from sleek tailoring to loose fringe, and the costume reads best when you commit to one end of it. Match the look to your venue and the weather, and to how much effort you want to put in. Thrift stores are full of shift dresses, patterned shirts, flared pants and costume jewelry. Wear shoes you can dance in and carry props that weigh almost nothing. Most of the time, the hair, the eyeliner and one signature accessory say more about the decade than any packaged costume will.
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