25 Fashion Icons of the 60s, men who defined style!

The Beatles didn’t just change music—they rewired the fashion DNA of the 1960s. From the sharp, collarless Pierre Cardin suits and Cuban heels of A Hard Day’s Night to the psychedelic regalia of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, their style evolved as wildly as their sound. They popularized mop-top haircuts, mod tailoring, Indian kurtas, and velvet jackets without blinking. Each Beatle had his own sartorial personality: McCartney polished, Lennon avant-garde, Harrison spiritual, Ringo cheeky. Their look defined swinging London and inspired teens from Tokyo to Toronto. Every fashion shift of the decade? The Beatles were already there.

When Sean Connery stepped onto the screen as James Bond in Dr. No (1962), men everywhere redefined their style goals. Tailored by Anthony Sinclair, his sharp suits, silky shawl-collared tuxedos, and minimalist shirts became the standard for suave masculinity. He made cocktail attire look lethal and sportswear aristocratic. But Connery also brought rugged charm to roles like Marnie (1964) and The Hill (1965). Off-duty, he favored knit polos, slacks, and Scottish cool. Bond’s look had power, precision, and class—and Connery wore it like second skin. Image source

Paul Newman was the guy every man wanted to be—smart, soulful, and devastatingly stylish. With roles in The Hustler (1961), Hud (1963), and Cool Hand Luke (1967), he brought a quiet intensity to the screen. Off-screen, his look was pure American classic: white tees, denim, casual button-downs, and the occasional racing jacket. He didn’t try hard, and that was the point. Newman’s style was democratic—clean, confident, timeless. He gave us the original “less is more” blueprint for men’s style that still resonates today.

JFK didn’t just lead America into the New Frontier—he brought polish and charm to the White House wardrobe. From the tailored navy suits worn during the Cuban Missile Crisis to relaxed Nantucket weekends in khakis and boat shoes, Kennedy balanced statesmanship with youthful style. His preference for slimmer silhouettes, narrow ties, and effortless accessories like tortoiseshell sunglasses made East Coast prep feel fresh. While his presidency ended tragically in 1963, his style influence never did. JFK made smart look sexy—and leadership look like a lifestyle.

Gianni Agnelli was more than a Fiat magnate—he was Italy’s answer to Bond, with a dash of Riviera mischief. In the 1960s, as he expanded Italy’s automotive empire, he also redefined menswear. Double-breasted blazers, unbuttoned collars, luxe knits, and those infamous wristwatches worn over shirt cuffs became his trademarks. He made tailoring playful, elegance instinctive, and rule-breaking refined. Whether skiing in St. Moritz or lounging in Capri, Agnelli was never out of place—and never overdressed. He turned sprezzatura into an international fashion religion.

With cheekbones sharp enough to slice silk and eyes full of mystery, Alain Delon lit up European cinema in the 1960s. In films like Purple Noon (1960), Le Samouraï (1967), and La Piscine (1969), he played men who said little—but dressed impeccably. Crisp white shirts, slim-cut suits, Ray-Bans, and Riviera-ready linen made Delon the poster boy for icy elegance. His style was clean, confident, and oh-so-French. Delon didn’t just act cool—he defined it. He remains the blueprint for aloof sophistication in menswear.

Singer, songwriter, and actor, Jacques Dutronc rode the wave of 1960s French pop with hits like Et moi, et moi, et moi (1966) and Les Cactus. But he didn’t just sound cool—he looked it too. With his turtlenecks, tailored suits, Chelsea boots, and ever-present shades, Dutronc blended mod British influence with Parisian irony. His fashion sense had a smirk: sleek but slightly sardonic, polished but never too serious. He was the guy who dressed like he was in on the joke—and somehow made you want to join him.

Serge Gainsbourg was a provocateur, a poet, and an unlikely sex symbol. With albums like Histoire de Melody Nelson and controversial hits like Je t’aime… moi non plus, he pushed musical and social boundaries. His wardrobe was no less daring—rumpled blazers, unbuttoned shirts, tight jeans, and perpetual cigarette in hand. Gainsbourg made the undone look seductive. He wasn’t classically handsome, but his louche style reeked of confidence and creativity. Sartorially, he made messiness magnetic—and cool forever smelled a little like Gitanes.

While Mick and Keith played it cool, Brian Jones went for full-blown flamboyance. The original founder of The Rolling Stones, Jones helped launch the band in 1962 and shaped their bluesy aesthetic. But by the late 60s, his musical presence faded—his style, however, soared. He wore paisley, fur, and military jackets like a psychedelic peacock. Think androgynous scarves, floppy hats, and Moroccan robes. Jones dressed like rock royalty before it was a thing. His brief, brilliant flame left behind a blueprint for fashion-forward musicians who wanted to go big.

Born in 1939, Ralph Lauren didn’t just enter the fashion scene in the 1960s—he reshaped it. Starting with wide, luxurious neckties, he built a brand that would become the epitome of aspirational American style. In the 60s, Lauren’s own wardrobe reflected the preppy sophistication he championed: tailored blazers, Oxford shirts, and a knack for layering that felt both Ivy League and cosmopolitan. He dressed like the world he wanted to create—polished yet approachable, classic yet fresh. Ralph Lauren’s 60s style endures as the blueprint for timeless, all-American elegance. 

Though most celebrated for revolutionizing women’s fashion, Yves Saint Laurent left an indelible mark on menswear too. In the late 1960s, he debuted his Rive Gauche line for men—introducing safari jackets, see-through shirts, and tuxedos with feminine flair. YSL blurred gender lines with elegance and edge, paving the way for androgynous dressing. While his tailoring was classic, his styling was rebellious. He made Paris the center of fashion risk and refinement. For men who wanted to be daring without losing sophistication, Saint Laurent opened the door—and the runway. image source

With the rise of Bollywood in the late ’60s, Rajesh Khanna became India’s first cinematic phenomenon—and fashion idol. Films like Aradhana (1969) and Do Raaste (1969) turned him into a household name. But it wasn’t just his romantic screen presence—it was the way he wore guru shirts, wide collars, pastel knits, and those side-swept bangs. He brought soft glamour and emotional warmth to men’s fashion, making expressive dressing fashionable in conservative settings. Rajesh Khanna’s style legacy is stitched into the memory of an entire subcontinent.

Smooth, soulful, and impeccably dressed—Marcello Mastroianni made existential angst look elegant. With unforgettable roles in La Dolce Vita (1960) and 8½ (1963), he became the face of Federico Fellini’s dreamy, stylish Rome. On-screen and off, Mastroianni favored understated suits, soft scarves, and thick-framed glasses. He oozed Mediterranean charm without trying too hard. While others flaunted, he finessed. He didn’t chase trends—he wore timeless tailoring with a wink and a cigarette. Mastroianni made us believe you could look world-weary and wonderful at the same time.

Long before his name became synonymous with football, Roberto Carlos the Brazilian singer was stealing hearts with his velvety voice and stylish presence. Leading the Jovem Guarda (Young Guard) movement in the 1960s, he gave Brazil its own rock ’n’ roll revolution. His fashion reflected his sound—part Elvis, part Latin lover: fitted jackets, skinny ties, floral shirts, and perfectly coiffed hair. He brought modern flair to Brazil’s traditional elegance, influencing generations of pop stars. In Brazil, Roberto Carlos wasn’t just a singer—he was the man you wanted to sing and dress like.