Colgate Couture: Mad for Mod

The Mod movement of the 1960s revolved around music, pop culture and most importantly, fashion. Wearing clean lines, geometric shapes and repetitive prints, these 60s swingers had serious attitude and certainly knew style, so it’s no surprise that this fall everyone is going mad for Mod. From the luxurious Lanvin to the avant-garde Alice & Olivia, designers are showing looks that combine the Mods’ chic, edgy style and today’s top trends. With boxy dresses, bell sleeves and stellar shapes, fall’s modernized Mod fashions will leave you looking like one hip chick!

Clean, crisp lines make the Mod style strong and sophisticated. Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz captured this refined simplicity in his red wool felt dress. Tailored on top, Elbaz’s heavy knee-length coat-dress slowly widens from the waist down. The voluminous skirt balances out the thick fabric and the bold red brings vibrance to the simple cut. The dress closes in the front with four big buttons whose circular shape contrasts the sharp line created by the closure. Throw on this dress with chunky pumps and you’ll be one foxy bird!

Foley for Foley + Corrina’s Chelsea mini-dress is outta-sight. Short and sweet, this cream cap sleeve dress has a boxy feel but is slightly darted so it shows your shape. What makes this piece marvelously Mod is the split v-neck. Thick satin banding highlights the dramatic lines around the neck and eight gold buttons on either side of the V are connected by thin gold chains. Foley’s dress is fresh, young and far-out. Dress it up with gold heels or give it a casual, funky look with textured tights and caramel pumps.

Repetitive patterns are a major Mod trend and AKA New York’s buckle print mini-dress is right-on. This saucy silk 60’s dress hits about mid-thigh and is cut for a loose, boxy fit. A small-buckle print is repeated throughout, and the contrast zipper back adds a tad of texture to the dress’s otherwise uniform look. For true 60’s style, pair this primo print dress with thick tights and pumps, or for a more up-to-date look, sling a brown belt around your hips and slip into some cuffed, knee-high boots.

Bell sleeves were a popular style throughout the 60s Mod era. Nanette Lepore makes the most of this Mod trend with her cream and brown tweed coat. Sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus, this knee-length A-line coat is choice. The coat’s loose, boxy fit and ruffled hem maintain the classic and clean Mod cut. Ruffled bell sleeves and wide round buttons make this look really retro and a matching, reversible scarf with angled ends adds a finishing touch. Lepore’s vintage-style coat is very versatile. You’re sure to look so fine whether you wear it with a cocktail dress or denim.

If geometric shapes are your Mod trend of choice, get stoked for Alice + Olivia’s Deco Baby Doll Dress. The large, yellow diamond print pops against the chocolate background of this mini wool sweater dress. Wide and shallow, the smooth scoop neck contrasts with the sharp diamond pattern and long bunched sleeves compliment the dress’s snug fit. For a look that’s super 60s, wear it with bare legs and wedges; to add a modern twist to this Mod dress, slip it on with leggings and ankle boots.

Sixties Mod styles are slick and sassy, so if you’re looking to soup up your wardrobe, don’t be a drag. Go and get groovy with this season’s righteous retro rags.