60s Fashion for Women: Iconic Bollywood Styles That Still Work

Fashion always comes back. That’s why 60s fashion for women feels fresh again in 2026. The decade gave us bold prints, sharp eyeliner, fitted silhouettes, and saree drapes that still look classy today.

Even better, Bollywood played a huge role in shaping Indian style trends in the 1960s. Actresses like Sadhana, Mumtaz, Sharmila Tagore, and Saira Banu made outfits iconic on screen. Soon after, young women across India started copying those looks.

Today, you can still wear these styles. You just need the right modern twist.

In this guide, you’ll learn the most popular women’s fashion trends from the 1960s. You’ll also discover how to wear them in 2026 without looking old-fashioned.

Why 60s Fashion for Women Is Trending Again

The 1960s introduced style choices that felt confident and modern. Most importantly, women started experimenting more with fashion.

Here’s why the 60s trend still wins hearts:

It looks elegant but playful
It suits both traditional and western wardrobes
It uses simple shapes that flatter many body types
It works great for casual, festive, and party outfits

Also, social media has revived vintage fashion. Pinterest boards, Instagram reels, and Bollywood-inspired styling have made 60s outfits popular again.

So, if you want a timeless look, 60s fashion is a smart choice.

The Most Iconic 60s Fashion Trends for Women (Bollywood Inspired)

Bollywood didn’t just entertain people in the 60s. It influenced how women dressed in daily life. Now, let’s explore the top trends that became famous because of classic films.

1) The Tight Suit: Sadhana’s Sleeveless Churidar Look

If you love fitted ethnic wear, you’ll love this trend.

The “tight suit” became popular when actress Sadhana wore a figure-hugging sleeveless churidar kurta in Yash Chopra’s movie Waqt (1965). The outfit looked neat, modern, and stylish. Soon, young women across India started wearing similar suits.

Later, other actresses followed the trend too. For example, Vyjayanthimala and Asha Parekh wore fitted suits in films like Jewel Thief and Love in Tokyo.

Why the tight suit became a 60s fashion icon

This look stood out because it:

Highlighted the body shape in a classy way
Looked perfect for college girls and young women
Created a clean silhouette that felt modern

Also, the sleeveless style added boldness without looking too revealing.

How to wear the tight suit in 2026

You can easily modernize this trend.

Try these styling ideas:

Choose a solid-colored kurta with minimal embroidery
Pair it with a stretch churidar for a sleek fit
Add a lightweight dupatta (optional)
Wear small jhumkas or stud earrings
Go for nude makeup with sharp eyeliner

Style tip: If you prefer comfort, pick a fitted kurta but keep the sleeves short or add cap sleeves.

Best occasions to wear it

Festive gatherings
Family functions
College events
Small parties

This is one of the easiest 60s looks to recreate.

2) The Saree Revolution: Mumtaz’s Famous Drape Style

Sarees have always been traditional. However, the 1960s gave sarees a glamorous makeover.

Actress Mumtaz brought sarees into the spotlight with her unique draping style in the movie ** Brahmachari (1968)**. Many people also remember her for wearing snug, stylish sarees in several films of that era.

Her saree look became popular because it hugged the body beautifully while still looking elegant.

What made the 60s saree style special?

The saree drape in those days looked:

Neat and well-structured
Stylish but still traditional
Perfect for showing curves gracefully

Women admired it because it didn’t look heavy or overdone.

Bollywood throwback: the 60s drape is still alive

Even in modern Bollywood, we see the 60s saree influence. For example, Priyanka Chopra wore a similar vintage-inspired saree look in her movie Teri Meri Kahaani (which included scenes set in that time period).

How to wear the 60s saree in 2026

You can wear the vintage saree style without making it look costume-like.

Here are modern ways to do it:

Choose chiffon, georgette, or organza sarees
Go for a plain saree with a bold border
Pair it with a sleeveless blouse or boat-neck blouse
Add a thin belt for a modern twist
Wear classic eyeliner + soft lipstick

✅ Pro tip: Use safety pins to keep the saree drape sharp. It will look clean in photos too.

Best occasions for this look

Weddings
Traditional events
Farewell parties
Festive evenings

If you want a graceful yet bold vibe, this saree style is perfect.

3) Polka Dots: The Print That Never Gets Old

Polka dots scream retro, fun, and feminine. That’s why they remain a key part of 60s fashion for women.

In Bollywood, actresses wore polka dots in bright colors and stylish cuts. For instance:

Hema Malini wore bold polka blouses in orange and yellow shades
Sharmila Tagore even wore a spotted two-piece look in Aamne Samne

This print became popular because it looked cheerful and youthful.

Why women loved polka dots in the 60s

Polka dots worked because they:

Added charm to simple outfits
Looked playful but still classy
Matched both Indian and western styles

Also, polka dots suit all ages. You just need the right size of print.

How to wear polka dots in 2026 (without looking outdated)

Polka dots can look very modern today.

Try these ideas:

A polka dot midi dress with sneakers
A polka dot blouse with jeans
A polka dot saree with a solid blouse
A polka dot scarf for a small vintage touch

✅ Style tip: Choose smaller polka dots for a subtle look. Pick bigger dots if you want a bold retro vibe.

Best occasions to wear polka dots

Brunch dates
Casual outings
Office wear (with subtle prints)
Day parties

This is one trend that truly never goes out of fashion.

4) Beehive Hairdo and Winged Eyeliner: The Ultimate 60s Beauty Look

60s fashion isn’t only about outfits. Hairstyles and makeup played a huge role too.

One of the most iconic beauty trends of that decade was the beehive hairstyle paired with winged eyeliner.

In India, actress Saira Banu helped popularize this look after her appearance in ** Junglee (1961)**. The big hair and bold eyeliner looked dramatic and glamorous.

Soon, women everywhere started trying similar hairstyles.

Why this beauty trend became iconic

It worked because it:

Made the face look sharper
Added instant drama to any outfit
Looked amazing on camera

Also, the bold eyeliner made the eyes stand out beautifully.

How to recreate the look in 2026

You don’t need to make your hair extremely big. Instead, create a softer version.

Modern beehive hair ideas

Half-up puff hairstyle
Loose bun with volume at the crown
High ponytail with a teased top

Winged eyeliner in 2026

Winged eyeliner still rules today. However, you can choose your style:

Thin wing for everyday wear
Bold wing for parties
Smudged wing for a soft glam look

✅ Quick tip: Use a gel liner or eyeliner pen for clean wings.

Best occasions for this look

Retro parties
Wedding functions
Photoshoots
Date nights

If you want instant vintage glam, try this combo.

How to Build a Full 60s Fashion Look in 2026

Now you know the key trends. Next, let’s combine them into full outfits.

Here are 4 complete 60s-inspired looks you can wear today.

Look 1: The Bollywood College Girl (Sadhana Style)

Fitted churidar kurta
Matching churidar
Simple dupatta
Thin bangles
Soft lipstick + winged eyeliner

This look feels clean, confident, and classic.

Look 2: The Vintage Saree Queen (Mumtaz Style)

Chiffon saree with bold border
Sleeveless blouse
Belt (optional)
Big bindi
Puff hairstyle + eyeliner

This outfit looks perfect for festive events.

Look 3: The Cute Retro Brunch Look (Polka Dot Style)

Polka dot top
High-waist jeans or skirt
White sneakers
Small hoop earrings
Glossy lips

This style looks fun and comfortable.

Look 4: The Retro Glam Night Look

Solid color dress or saree
Statement earrings
Beehive bun
Bold winged eyeliner
Red lipstick

This look makes you stand out instantly.

60s Fashion Accessories That Complete the Look

Accessories can transform even a basic outfit into a vintage-inspired look.

Here are the best accessories to try:

Bangles

Thin bangles and stacked bangles match ethnic outfits beautifully.

Cat-eye sunglasses

These scream 60s vibes and look stylish even today.

Small handbags

Choose structured bags or mini sling bags.

Hairbands and scarves

Use printed scarves as headbands for a retro touch.

Bindis

A small bindi instantly gives a classic Bollywood feel.

60s Fashion Colors That Look Stunning in 2026

The 60s loved bright shades. However, 2026 fashion mixes bold and soft tones.

Here are the best color ideas:

Mustard yellow
Coral orange
Classic red
Pastel pink
Black and white
Emerald green
Navy blue

Style tip: Pick one bold color and keep the rest simple. That creates balance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing 60s Fashion Today

60s style looks amazing, but only when you modernize it properly.

Avoid these mistakes:

Wearing everything retro at once

Instead, mix one vintage element with modern pieces.

Overdoing the puff hairstyle

Big hair looks fun, but too much volume can look like a costume.

Choosing outdated fabric

Pick modern fabrics like chiffon, georgette, cotton blends, and satin.

Ignoring fit

The 60s style focused heavily on clean fits. So, tailoring matters.

FAQs:

Q. Can I wear 60s fashion casually in 2026?

A. Yes, absolutely. Try polka dot tops, winged eyeliner, and fitted suits. They look perfect for daily wear.

Q. What is the easiest 60s trend to start with?

A. Start with:

winged eyeliner
polka dots
a fitted churidar suit

These look modern and require minimal effort.

Q. Which 60s style looks best for traditional events?

A. The Mumtaz-style saree drape looks best for weddings, festivals, and family functions.

Q. Is 60s fashion only for slim body types?

A. Not at all. You can adapt it to any body shape. Choose a comfortable fit and use styling tricks like belts or structured drapes.

Final Thoughts:

The beauty of 60s fashion for women is that it blends elegance with boldness. It gives you vintage charm without looking boring. Most importantly, it still works perfectly in 2026.

To refresh your wardrobe today: