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The mod, or modern, subculture gained popularity in the 1960s in London, England. Early influences include jazz music and European art films, and many mods rode Vespa or Lambretta scooters. Dressing like a mod means wearing stylish and tailored clothing in bold prints, bright colors, and black and white. Men wore tailored suits, polos, and slim-fitting pants, while women wore mini-skirts, twin-sets, fitted pants, and shift dresses.
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Choose modern colors and patterns. The mod style focuses on color blocking, black and white, and hints of bright yellow, orange, pink, and pastels. Bold, geometric patterns like British flags, polka-dots, and stripes were all popular mod styles.
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Wear mini-skirts. Mini-skirts that sat several inches above the knee were a hot mod item during the 60s. [1] X Research source Look for bold colors and bright prints, as well as staples like black and navy. Pick fun fabrics, such as tweed, wool, or velvet.Advertisement
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Pick slim-fitting trousers. Slim-fitting pants are a mod fashion staple, and ankle-length pants and capris were also popular. Choose neutral colors and pair with bold tops. You can also roll up the pants to show off your mod shoes.
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Choose A-line skirts. A-lines were just as popular as minis in mod times. They look great with a twin-set as well as a three-quarter sleeve blouse. Pair a neutral A-line with a color-blocked top, or choose a patterned A-line and a solid top. [2] X Research source
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Try a shift dress. Shift dresses are loose and a bit boxy, so they look good on every body type. Choose a sleeveless shift in a geometric print for a fun and easy mod look. Add a pair of flats and a fun scarf, and you’re ready to go. [3] X Research source
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Wear men’s shirts. Button-up shirts were popular for both men and women. Pair a men’s button down with a mini-skirt or slim-fitting pants for a mod look. Top off the outfit with a printed scarf and oversize sunglasses. [4] X Research source
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Get a twin-set. Twin-set tops and sweaters are a must. Choose a few in different colors and pair with an A-line skirt for a totally modern style. You could also pair a twin-set with fitted pants and booties. [5] X Research source
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Try three-quarter length sleeves. This sleeve length was all the rage for mods. Consider dresses or blouses in bold patterns with three-quarter length sleeves to add flair to your look. Pair a top with three-quarter length sleeves with a mini-skirt and flats for a mod look.
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Wear a bomber jacket or parka. Bomber jackets and parkas were popular for both men and women. Add a bomber jacket over an outfit with an A-line dress or skirt, or pair a parka with a men’s button-down and trousers.
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Choose T-strap shoes or loafers. T-strap shoes, flats, loafers, and booties were popular mod items. Choose t-straps to dress up an outfit, or loafers to add a casual feel. Pick booties for a more rockin’ vibe. Bowling shoes were also fashionable while mod styles were popular. [6] X Research source
- Look for fun details, such as piping, buckles, colored laces, or patterns.
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Cut your hair in a bob or pixie cut. The bob was huge during the mod era, and many women chose a pixie cut as well. Consider chopping off your locks if you are truly dedicated to mod fashion.
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Make your eyes pop. Twiggy-style makeup is a mod staple. Heavy eyeliner and false lashes will give you a fresh, mod look. Don’t wear blush or bold eye shadow, and choose a nude lipstick to complete the mod look.
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Add bold accessories. Top things off with fun accessories such as scarves, bold jewelry, headbands, and big sunglasses inspired by modern art to accentuate your look. Choose items with patterns such as polka-dots and geometric prints.
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Choose modern colors. Bold prints and bright colors are the epitome of mod. Red, white, and blue are traditional British mod colors. Color-blocking is also a mod style so keep an eye out for those types of items.
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Get a tailored suit. Look for well-made, slim-cut suits. The original mods wore tailored suits (black, gray and brown) with vests and pocket squares. Pants should be slim and suits should always be three button.
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Pick a polo shirt. Polo shirts are an essential mod item. Though you may equate a polo shirt with a preppy look, the way you pair a polo with other items makes it more mod. Be sure to button the shirt all the way to the top, as this creates the streamlined modern look.
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Wear a bomber jacket or parka. Both bomber jackets and parkas are typical mod styles. Pair a bomber jacket with a button-up for a more dressed-up style. Consider leaving the zipper down halfway to show off your shirt. Choose a parka in green or tan for a traditional mod look, reminiscent of The Who.
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Pick slim-fit trousers. These pants are a mix between a boxy design and a tighter pant. Slim-fit does not equate to skinny jeans; they should be fitted, not tight. Choose chinos or a tapered pant. Roll up the cuff of your pants to show off your footwear.
- Levi’s jeans, shrunk to fit, were also a popular mod item.
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Choose Chelsea boots or desert lace-ups. Chelsea boots were incredibly popular in the mod scene. Desert lace-up boots are another popular mod choice. Consider purchasing a pair of each, one in black and one in brown or gray, so you have the perfect shoe to pair with any outfit.
- Oxfords are also a mod shoe option.
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Mix formal and casual pieces. Pair a fitted polo with slim-fit chinos and Chelsea boots to create a totally mod look. Wear a brightly-colored shirt with your suit to stand out in a modern way, or even put a parka on over your button-up and add a lace-up desert boot.
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Wear a mop-top. During mod times, many men wore their hair longer than usual. Choose a bowl-cut or a slightly shaggy style to complete your mod look. Think Paul McCartney or Miles Kane.
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Accessorize with hats or scarves. Thin ties, newsboy caps, and scarves all pull together the look for men. Round glasses were also quite popular for men during mod times. Buttons from mod bands and British flag pins complete the look.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhere can I find mod clothing?Community AnswerMany of these items are available in department stores, such as mini-skirts, slim-fitting pants, parkas, and polo shirts. Mixing the pieces together is what creates a mod look. If you can't find a specific piece in a store, try shopping online.
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Article Summary
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If you want to dress like a mod, choose modern-looking clothes and bright, bold colors. Modern garments, like miniskirts, tailored suits, and slim pants are part of the mod style. You can also wear blouses with three-quarter length arms, men's button-up shirts, or polo shirts in bright colors, like red, blue, and white. Bomber jackets or parkas are another key part of mod fashion. Pair your jacket with a button-up shirt for a dressy look. Alternatively, dress more casually with a polo shirt and a green or tan-colored jacket. When it comes to footwear, try Chelsea boots, desert lace-ups or loafers either in black, brown, or grey. You can also accessorize your outfits with hats and ties, which were very popular in the 1960s when the mod style developed. For tips on how to cut your hair in a mod style, keep reading!
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