What would spring be without another whimsical take on fashion, allowing us to have fun, look feminine and hold onto one of the biggest trends of the year? If 2011 shyly introduced us to the 1960s swing, it was the spring of 2012 that put the focus back on a revival of ’60s fashion. From mod, to folk and sex kitten inspiration, last season was all about rediscovering the playful elements of the highly acclaimed decade.

For fashion in spring 2013 the spotlight falls back on the ground-braking mod fashion, as reenvisioned for the modern woman by designers like Michael Kors, Fay, Moschino and Louis Vuitton. This season’s take on the ’60s pursues a sexy, colorful and youthful vibe, paying tribute to girls like Twiggy, Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin. While there’s clearly no stopping for the fashion trend, here’s how to still make the most of it.

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1960s fashion: defining elements for spring 2013

Since last spring a lot of the 1960s fashion trend aspects have slowly progressed, however some elements remained pretty much unaltered. Before refreshing your wardrobe here’s what you should look for:

• Short hems and A-line silhouettes
• Bright colours and block colours, sweet pastels and lively prints
• Contrasting piping

1960s fashion at Fay S/S ’13 and Kate Spade S/S ’13

• Graphic black and white patterns like checkerboard prints and funky stripes
• Fabrics like lace, tweed, patent leather and sequins
• Boxy cuts and clean, minimal lines

1960s fashion at Louis Vuiton S/S ’13 and Moschino S/S ’13

Mod fashion: powerful accessories

Everything in between a shift dress, an ultra-short miniskirt, a lady-like coat or a structured jacket represents the trend in all of its glory. But alongside the fun prints and the signature cuts, the essence of this season’s take on the ’60s lies in the powerful styling. Loud at times, subtle at others, the accessories play a huge role in complementing your look so keep an eye out for:

• Kitten heels, pointed pumps, flat ankle boots and patent Mary Janes
• Bold sunglasses, either round, cat-eyes or multicolored
• Satchel handbags, small box bags and whimsical clutches
• Colorful bangles, exaggerated bowlers, white gloves and retro statement earrings

1960s accessories at Moschino S/S ’13, Louis Vuitton S/S ’13 and Marc Jacobs S/S ’13

1960s fashion: the beauty look

If you plan on making the most of the trend and style your outfit considering even the smallest of details, the beauty look is equally significant. This season is all about 60s inspired hairstyles like bed hair, sexy bouffants and subtle renderings of beehives accented by cute headbands. When it comes to make-up, the focus falls less on the black eyeliner and more on the eye-shadow. From fierce smoky eyes and tangerine lips, to dashes of white eyeliner and kohl rimmed eyes, everything serves to highlight your strong points.

1960s inspired beauty look at Marc Jacobs S/S ’13

Complementary trends

If you want to look fashionable, rock the 1960s fashion but also throw bits and pieces of other trends into the mix, the easiest way to do it this season is by sporting black and white prints on 60s inspired silhouettes. During summer, bet on sweet pinafore dresses to capture the mod essence and if you feel like going bold on colour opt for hues like bright orange.

Black & white pattern on the runway at Michael Kors S/S ’13

1960s elements: in detail

’60s fashion trend: updates

60s fashion: trend evolution

Each decade of the 20th century is prone to being defined by its fashions; and for each of those decades is a cycle of revival inevitable.

Some decades are revived in distinctive fits and starts, like the 80s returning in a burst of irony that made good on its promise; others, like the 60s, linger never too far out of reach. So while tousling up your sexiest bed hair and pulling on your teeniest mini may always be an option, it was really in 2011 and 2012 that the swinging 60s vibe got properly injected back into our wardrobes.

Mod 60s revival dress at Burberry Prorsum AW11

The fall 2011 runways, when they fit to a particular decade, strutted mostly down a glamorous 1970s path. The 1930s were also fairly well represented. And then, amidst it all, a few key designers of influence were marching to the ’60s drum.

Burberry Prorsum’s bright block coloured coats and structured short-hemmed dresses hit a swinging London note. Miuccia Prada worked together flapper chic and 60s mod into graphic pleated tunics and Mary-Jane heels. Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Marni also dabbled in the trend.

Prada’s AW11 campaign

60s fashion for spring 2012

While the sixties fashion themes took root in fall 2011, they weren’t dead and buried by spring. Having found their way into numerous editorials, we then saw the trend filter onto the spring 2012 runways.

’60s fashion for spring: Alice & Olivia SS12

1960s fashion looks

Without getting too pedantic on historical accuracy, we broke up the era into three key looks.

A ’60s Karlie Kloss in Vogue Japan

’60s mod fashion

Who could forget the long legs and short hems of Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton? Or the iconic designs of Mary Quant? We’ve been looking to these icons for an update on a mod look, with elements like:

• Wide eyes curtained by big false lashes (top and bottom).
• Bright block colours.
• Graphic prints and colourful abstract geometric patterns.
• Short, boyish hairstyles.
• Masculine flat shoes like penny loafers.
• For fall, swing coats and capes.

60s-inspired outerwear at Burberry Prorsum AW11

’60s folk fashion

Softer and sexier than a mod look, a folkish sixties look is free spirited with a Parisian twist. The icons? Look to the likes of Jane Birkin and Francois Hardy for inspiration.

• Anything made out of lace, especially structured heavier lace pieces.
• Peter-pan collars.
• Ultra-short hemlines. Low-slung belts.
• Monochrome instead of colour: plenty of white, cream, black.
• Effortless sexiness with unfussy hair and winged-out eyeliner.

Lace soft sixties-style dress at Valentino, Resort ’12

’60s sex kitten

The opposite of the androgynous mod, the sex kitten is another ’60s era cliche that was strong last spring. Think any of the era’s stunning screen stars: Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot, Ann Margaret, Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor. Though spring 2013 is all about the mod, the sex kitten never really dates, so you can always try:

• Cuts that draw in the waist, accentuating the bust and hips. It’s all about the curves.
• Full circle skirts or slim pencil skirts, or cropped pants with high waists.
• Bed hair. Try a softer, modern update on Brigitte Bardot hair, or go all out bouffant. Just make it count.
• A sultry pout; long lashes and plenty of eyeliner.

Jayson Brunsdon 60s spring dress