Classic Men – The Best Style Icons of the 1960s

Contrary to today’s perception, 1960s men’s fashion and style was not dominated by hippy bell bottoms, sandals, and flower shirts. The 1960s were about classic fashion, style, and elegance, much like the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Being a gentleman and wearing fashionable clothing were in vogue. Both formal and casual wear were clean cut and stylish.

In the 1960s several different fashion trends emerged.

British Traditional – high-end formal and semi-formal wear determined global style in business and formal occasions. The Savelle Row look of Michael Caine, Cary Grant, Sean Connery, Peter O’Toole, and Sidney Poitier led the way. Tailored suits, ties, tuxedoes, pressed pants, polished shoes, watches, overcoats, and dress hats.

American Dressy Casual – what today we call Ivy League, Ralph Lauren, and preppy. Led by Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Dean Martin, and Robert Redford. Dressy sports jackets, penny loafers, button-downed shirts, and cardigan sweaters. Casual yacht club sailing wear, country club golf wear, hunting and fishing sport wear, and horse riding country wear.

Italian Style – led by Marcello Mastroianni

French Style – led by Alain Delon

British Mod – stylish hip evening and party apparel driven by ‘Swinging London’ and ‘British Invasion’ style of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Who, Yardbirds, Animals, Hollies, and others.

Youth Culture – the 1960s saw a semi-dressy casual fashion such as the Beach Boys surfing style, American Bandstand semi-dressy fashion, and Motown African-American style.

Hippy Style – at the end of the 1960s, counterculture bellbottoms, sandals, flower shirts, beads, long hair.

Michael Caine

ALFIE MICHAEL CAINE 8X10 PHOTO #E3308 at Amazon's Entertainment Collectibles Store

The epitome of British cool and London men’s high fashion. Michael Caine, born in 1933, has appeared in 160 films over eight decades and has won 2 Oscars, a BAFTA, and 3 Golden Globes. Caine is known for his trademark Savelle Row suits. Though a high fashion icon, he plays a regular, down-to-earth, every day man.

Caine is known for such movies as, Alfie, Sleuth, The Ipcress File, The Italian Job, Mona Lisa, Get Carter, The Dark Knight, and others.

Michael Caine, 1966. ☀ | Movie stars, Michael caine young, Actors

Michael Caine as Alfie - Blue Mohair Suit » BAMF Style

 

Sean Connery

How Sean Connery captured the irresistible cool of James Bond - CNN Video

The best and most stylish 007 Britist secret agent James Bond who created the role and played in 7 Bond films. Suave, debonair, in understated and subtle elegant Saville Row suits and tuxedos, drove Aston Martin sports cars, and carried an ultimare hip and cool persona. Scottish actor Sean Connery ( 1930 -2020) once voted sexiest man. He stook lessons in body technique to exude effortless poise, charm, and sexual prowess. He won an Oscar, 2 BAFTAs, and 3 Golden Globes

Known for his films Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Thunderball, Marnie, Thr Hunt for Red October, A Bridge Too Far, and others.

James Bond icon Sean Connery passes away aged 90

How to dress like James Bond - Hockerty

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier in In the Heat of the Night » BAMF Style

A perfect gentleman and one of the greatest actors of all time. Sidney Poitier (1927-2022) from the Bahamas, was always sophisticated and stylish with classic conservative suits. One of Hollywood’s very best dressed actors. He was awarded an Oscar, 2 Golden Globes, BAFTA, Grammy, Tony, and 2 Emmy nominations.

Known for his films Lillies of the Field, A Raison In the Sun, In the Heat of the Night, The Defiant Ones, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and others.

Sydney Poitier – Once upon a screen…

Sidney Poitier's Best Outfits Through the Years, Photos – Footwear News

Frank Sinatra

STYLES OF MEN: Frank Sinatra: A Style Icon

Sophisticated, hip, cool, confident, and charming. Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) is one of the best-selling music artitsts with 11 Grammys with his distinctive swing, jazz, and crooner vocals. Always impecably dressed. As well a major actor with 3 Oscars, 2 BAFTA nomnations, 4 Golden Globes, SAG, and 3 Laurels.

Known for his films Oceasn’s Eleven, High Society, From Here to Eternity, The Man With the Golden Arm, The Manchutian Candidate, and others.

Frank Sinatra Archives » Page 2 of 2 » BAMF Style

JFK & Frank Sinatra | Kennedy family, Sinatra, Frank sinatra

Alain Delon

Alain Delon – Gentleman of Style

The leading international sex idol of the 1960s and 70s, considered the most handsome man who ever lived. A leader in French fashion. French actor and singer Alain Delon was the leading man in several action, film noir, mystery, and romantic movies. Known for Le Samourai, Purple Noon, Rocco and His Brothers, Un flic, L’Eclisse, La Piscine, Le Cercle Rouge.

 

 

The Way They Wore: Alain Delon's trench coat from Le Samouraï | British GQ | British GQ

Muhammad Ali

Musical About The Life And Legacy Of Sports Icon Muhammad Ali Coming To Broadway - The Westside Gazette

“The Greatest”, Muhammad Ali, the greatest World Heavyweight Boxing Champion of all time – the People’s Hero. Ali (1926-1991) was champion 1964-1970 and 1974 -1979, named the sportsman of the century. A gentleman, charismatic, elegant, classic, he exuded greatness, awe, and respect. He wore classic understated, conservative clothing – dark suits, white shirts, narrow ties, buffed shoes, and minimal accessories.

Muhammad Ali - The Greatest

Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, whose record-setting boxing career, unprecedented flair for showmanship, a… | Boksers, Beroemdheden, Beroemde mensen

Marcello Mastroianni

Marcello Mastroianni Daily — Marcello Mastroianni / Festival De Cannes (1960)

Italian sex idol and leading man icon in movies. A leader in Italian fashion. He did not like the ‘Latin lover’ label so he took roles to poke fun of the Latin lover archetype. One of the greatest actors in history. Receives 2 BAFTA, 2 Venice, 2 Cannes, 2 Golden Globes, and 3 Oscar nominations. Known for 8 ½, La Dolce Vita, Dark Eyes, Divorce Italian Style, Marriage Italian Style, A Special Day, Yesterday Today and Tomorrow, Days of Love, White Nights.

Marcello Mastroianni: Italian style icon - Kamiceria's Blog

voxsartoria — Black Tie Season Is Here. Marcello Mastroianni.

Miles Davis

Miles Davis, Jazz Legend born - African American Registry

Ultimate hip and cool jazz legendary pioneer Mile Davis (1926-1991). One of the most acclaimed and influential jazz figures in history with 8 Grammys with 32 nominations. He said he “created a hip, quasi-black English look”, modeling his style on Fred Astaire and Cary Grant, he worked with a New York tailor to develop his own style of suits.

Ted Gioia on Twitter: "Miles Davis would have turned 94 today, and many are rightly celebrating his music—but let's also give proper respect to the man's wardrobe.… https://t.co/Ekc9gKOuil"

Miles Davis- October 8, 1964 Sindelfingen (audio source B) - YouTube

Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty's Big Return to Hollywood: The Real Reason for His 13-Year Disappearance! - Closer Weekly

Hollywood leading man with an 7 Oscars, 4 BAFTA, 4 Golden Globes. Known for Reds, Bullworth, Bugsy, Dick Tracy, Heaven Can Wait, Bonnie and Clyde, Rules Don’t Apply, Splendor In the Grass.

Warren Beatty Bonnie and Clyde Posters and Photos 102984 | Movie Store

All Fall Down, Warren Beatty, 1962 by Everett

Steve McQueen

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“Mr. Cool”, Hollywood’s top leading man and a race car driver, Steve McQueen exuded a hip and cool persona, rugged masculinity, and elegant style. Receives and Oscar and 4 Golden Globe nominations. Known for movies Le Mans, Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Magnificent Seven, Sand Pebbles, Papillion, The Cincinnati Kid, The Getaway, The Great Escape.

Icons From The Past - Part 2

jazzyfarmer | Steve mcqueen style, Steve mcqueen, Steven mcqueen

 

Paul Newman

Celebrity Fashion Tips – Style Tips Borrowed from Paul Newman – News

Actor and race car driver, a man’s man casual style icon. One of the greatest actors of all time with 3 Oscars, BAFTA, 3 Golden Globes, Emmy, Cannes, Berlin. Paul Newman (1925-2008) was dignified, thoughtful, and a decent family man.

Known for his films The Hustler, The Sting, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Harper, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Drowning Pool, and others.

Classic Men of Style: Paul Newman - He Spoke Style Shop

Style icons – Paul Newman | Lineage of influence

Cary Grant

The ultimate leading man and fashion icon who said “I don’t dress for the moment.” Co-star Eve Marie Saint said “his style was like a skin”. One of the greatest actors of all time, mastering comedy, drama, and mystery – Hollywood’s “model of polished masculinity.” Handsome, charming, elegant, suave, debonair, sophisticated. He effortlessly wore suits.

Grant is known for the following films, Arsenic and Old Lace, Charade, Bringing Up Baby, Topper, The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Lucky, His Girl Friday, To Catch a Thief, North By Northwest, Notorious, Suspicion, and others.

Cary Grant's Style Tips - Garmany

Cary Grant Style Secrets & How To Dress Like Him

Robert Redford

Talking Film Costume: Robert Redford in “Three Days of the Condor” - Classiq

Stylish leading man Robert Redford actor and director. He receives 2 Oscars, a BAFTA, 3 Golden Globes, SAG. Known for The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, Three Days of the Condor, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, The Candidate, Jeremiah Johnson.

Robert Redford's Shearling Jacket in Downhill Racer » BAMF Style

Robert Redford's Tuxedo in The Great Gatsby » BAMF Style

Sources

GQ

Harper’s Bazaar

MarieClaire

Vogue

Esquire

Gentlemen’s Journal

Gentlemens’ Gazette

IMDB

Bruce J. Wood
Bruce J. Wood
Bruce J. Wood, founder of AOIDE Bruce J. Wood has worked on Wall Street in business finance and strategy, and has written hundreds of finance business plans, strategic plans, economic feasibility studies, and economic impact studies. Bruce has lectured on creativity and strategic thinking, as well as worked on the development of numerous publishing, film, television, and performing arts projects, along with downtown revitalizations, using the arts as an economic catalyst. As an aficionado of music, art, and dance, Bruce is also a writer and an outdoor enthusiast. He has written poetry, blogs, articles, and many creative project concepts. He lives in the Metro Detroit area and enjoys writing poetry, backpacking, and ballroom dancing.

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