60s Mod Costume
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Mod style came out of 1960s London, where designers like Mary Quant made the miniskirt famous. It’s bold, graphic and very different from the hippie look that came later in the decade, which makes it a great choice for decades parties and 60s day when you want to stand out.
What Makes It Work
The dress is the base. A short A-line or shift dress in bold color blocks, black and white geometric shapes, or bright stripes. Hemlines sit above the knee.
White go-go boots are the signature. Mid-calf or knee-high, flat or with a low heel. Tights in white or a bright color work too.
Hair and makeup sell it. A sleek bob with bangs (or a bob wig), heavy winged eyeliner, false lashes on top and drawn-on lashes below, and pale lips. Big plastic hoop earrings or a headband finish the look. For guys, a slim suit with a narrow tie and a bowl haircut.
What People Get Wrong
Mixing in hippie pieces like fringe and flowers. Mod is clean, graphic and geometric. The other miss is skipping the eye makeup, which is half the look.
Buy It or Build It?
Mod dresses and go-go boots run $25 to $50 each. Thrift stores often have color-block shift dresses; white go-go boots are the piece worth buying.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
What did mod fashion look like?
Short shift dresses with bold geometric prints, white go-go boots, sleek bobs and dramatic winged eyeliner.
What's the difference between mod and hippie?
Mod was early-to-mid 60s, graphic and sleek. Hippie came later, with fringe, flowers and flared jeans.
How do I do 60s mod makeup?
Heavy black winged liner, false lashes, lashes drawn under the eye with liner, and pale nude lips.
What do men wear for a 60s mod costume?
A slim suit, a narrow tie, Chelsea boots and a neat bowl haircut.
Next up: Hippie Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.