1969 dresses defined a year of change, adventure, and unforgettable style
This was a year when mankind was stepping onto the moon… while back on Earth, style-conscious denizens were stepping into some of the most iconic fashions of the century. We’re talking, of course, about the unforgettable ’69 dresses.
Those were the days when hemlines had recently rocketed upward, much like the Apollo 11, causing scandal, excitement — and, presumably, a run on quality hosiery. The mini dress was no longer just a rebellious statement — it had become a passport to a world of liberation, youth, and boundary-pushing design.
1969 was a year of contrasts, and the groovy fashion mirrored that. Some clung to the flower power aesthetic of flowing maxis, an echo of the Summer of Love that had bloomed two years prior.
Others embraced the Space Age with metallic threads and futuristic silhouettes, while a few brave souls ventured into the world of psychedelic patterns that could have been borrowed from a lava lamp manufacturer’s fever dream.
Fashion in 1969 wasn’t just a dress you donned — it was a statement, a piece of wearable history, a mood, an identity. It was about as subtle as a tie-dyed VW van at a Richard Nixon rally… and that’s a big part of what made it so unforgettable.
Scroll on to join us on this journey back to the wonderland of 1969 dresses! We promise it’ll be a trip (and we don’t mean the kind that involves any illicit substances).
Just remember, whether you prefer the bold mini or the ethereal maxi, it’s all about strutting with confidence and a dash of audacity. Because in 1969, fashion was anything but understated. But hey, when you’re competing with moon landings, subtlety doesn’t really cut it.
Vintage U-curve jumper dresses for fall of 1969
Everywhere you turn there will be jumpers. They’re the style that’s fashion-right and ready to go for every occasion. The look is ageless, the possibilities endless.
For instance, this jaunty one, shown three ways, with a neckline cut with deep U curving that lets lots of pretty blouse or skinny sweater show. It’s a wrap number that you button just below your midriff. The blouse, in the same pattern, has romantic sleeves and a bow just under your chin. Simplicity pattern 8345.
Hot dresses for the spring of ’69
Read all about it: Prints make headlines in late-edition fashions — all spelled out in black and white. Take the front-page looks here, for example: From the flowery knit wrap dress to the border-print shift to the soft-shape suit, each one’s a newsmaker. And each could have your byline, because you make them yourself with Vogue Patterns.
Fashion extra: The new black-and-whiteness, we think, is a perfect foil for the swift, sure stroke of one bold accessory color. By Nora O’Leary, Ladies’ Home Journal Patterns Editor.
Left: Small, spare dress punched with black and white configuration. Our idea: the zig and zag of her sleeves, achieved by angled pattern placement. Vogue pattern of silk twill by Fisher & Gentile.
Center: Billow of sleeves and a skirt, all done up in two little-old prints (actually, just about the newsiest kind of print around), Vogue 2218. Capezio shoes.
Right: Sleek dress in black and white plus bursts of yellow.
Green and white art deco geometric pattern dress from 1969
Laced-up dress that starts out skinny, ends with a flare, in soft art deco geometrics.
Many kinds of 1960s shirtwaist dresses
The shirtwaist dress, a season-spanner if there ever was one, can be a different dress every time you make it. These three from one Simplicity pattern, prove it! The dress is slightly flared, and has cuffed, full sleeves. Here the similarity ends. You can make it in a print, with contrasting collar and mock tab, in a solid with wide braid trimming the center front and cuffs, or merely trim it prettily with lace.
Long sleeve patterned 60s shirtdresses
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Peasant-style cream-colored 60s shirtdresses
Velvety ribless cotton corduroy jumper dress in burgundy wine, by Seaton Hall.
A variety of trendy 1960s dresses for women
Stylish 1969 dresses: The iconic shift dress
Longsleeve check pant shift dress with an apron front, and a sleeveless shirt shift with a Bermuida collar and pleating in front (Made by Cos Cob)
Vintage patterned minidresses from 1969
3 styles of 1969 dresses with the same black and white striped pattern
Permanent press 1969 dresses for Juniors
In the limelight, flower-printed skimmer white on lime green oxford cloth of Fortrel polyester and cotton. White bib and cuffs propeed with mini-ball buttons. Back zipper.
Getting raves, the wrap dress in chrome yellow ribbed polyester and cotton. Tie sash.
All-time favorite: button-front shirtdress in twill of Fortrel polyester and cotton. Vinyl belt & roll sleeves, available in pastel blue and pastel pink.
Scene-stealing wrap dress in pink and white woven checks of Dacron polyester and cotton. White eyelet embroidered ruffles. Tie sash; inside snap closing.
SEE MORE: Vintage ’60s flat shoes & fashionable low-heel footwear for women
1969 paisley shirtdress in white with red
Floral pattern trendy vintage 1969 dresses
60s knit dresses for fall
Fall fashion loves the knits. They’re a delight to wear, easy To care for, and a joy to sew. Make a batch of bright knit dresses now to wear on that first fall day, and on until Spring.
Pattern 8335: dress with an elastic waist, buttons trimming the raglan sleeve seams. Pattern 8334: turtle neck dress and a great new vest.
Retro solid color dresses you could sew yourself
Vintage dress pattern 8338 (left): dress with deep cuffs and billowing sleeves. Pattern 8340 (right): long-sleeved dress with an easy lacing trim, shaped seams. Junior 7-11. Misses’ 10-16.
Sweater minidress in cream and black from 1969
SEE MORE: Cozy 60s fashion: 100 swoon-worthy vintage sweaters you could still wear today
Brown jumper dress with a mod geometric patterned shirt
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Retro 1969 dress in Dalmatian print
Long white form-fitting retro sweater dresses from 1969
McCall’s patterns for party dresses (1969)
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Mod floral 1969 dress fashion
1930s-style prints on 1969 dresses
Journal reporters were caught up with the graphic excitement generarated by the guests than they were what was hanging on the walls. Two art lovers in the new-1930s prints with bold contemporary patterns.
On the left, the Art Moderne costume, a low-pleated tank dress and long cardigan in rayon crepe by Anne Klein. About $160. Scarf also Anne Klein. Golo Shoes. On the right, Chinoiserie in crêpe de chine softly expressed in bias-cut blouson dress by Leo Narducci. With matching scarf, about $145. Herbert Levine platform shoes, Mimi di N earrings.
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Orange and purple 1969 mini dresses
Patterned 60s retro jersey t-dress (1969)
Sparkling maxi length 1969 dresses
Left: The star-spangled sweatercoat ($74), dazzling down over a twinkle of T ($24), a beam of long skirting ($36). By Patti Cappalli for Addenda, in gold rayon Lurex knit (5-13, 6-14). The silvery chain-mail “ascot” was designed by Sant-Angelo for Whiting & Davis, $30.
Right: Gold glitterknitting swooshed from a T-top to shoetops, doubling into pockets at the hip. $65, by Patti Cappalli for Addenda in rayon Lurex (5-13, 6-14). The ’30s-racy shoes, swanked with gold netting on black: Pappagallo. S23, at Shops for Pappagallo, New York.
Pretty belted mod 1969 dress
Printed cotton percale dresses from Sears (1969)
Retro 1960s striped jumper from Sak’s Fifth Avenue (1969)
Fall high jinks begin with our bold jumper and ribby turtleneck. Doubleknit Dacron polyester and wool in grey or wine with white.
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Retro print dresses for casual daywear (1969)
Soft negligee style short dress from the 60s (1969)
Summery 60s skimmer and shift casual dresses from 1969
1960s junior’s party dresses for prom or formal dance (1969)
Dazzle and dance in this misty nylon formal with whirlaway panels. Acetate taffeta lining (except panels). Empire-line front-bodice is white cotton lace. Bowed scoop-neckline. Back zipper. Dry dean.
Shine in this demure dress of white eyelet embroidered cotton batiste over pastel-colored acetate taffeta. Ruffles edge the long skirt, the neckline that V’s in back. Sashed. back-zippered.
Summery retro dress styles from 69
Left: Glow a lot and swing in this crepe dress of acetate and rayon. Keyhole neckline; big organza bow of rayon and silk; back zipper. Lined.
Center: Gleam a little in this dreamy lace iced with acetate satin collar, cuffs and button-trimmed tab. Dress is white lace of nylon and acetate lavishly reembroidered with pale blue. Acetate taffeta lining (see-thru sleeves). Back zipper.
Right: Sparkle plenty and catch compliments in this puff-sleeved, daisy-banded dress of white flocked nylon. Acetate taffeta lining (see-thru, elasticized sleeves). Scoop neckline; back zipper.
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