12 Accessories Common In A Woman’s Wardrobe By Age 18 In The ’60s

Growing up in the 1960s felt like living in a world that couldn’t decide between elegance and rebellion.

By eighteen, every young woman had a dresser drawer full of accessories that told her personal story. There were pillbox hats straight out of Jackie Kennedy’s playbook, bold cat-eye sunglasses, and shiny go-go boots that demanded attention on the dance floor. Each piece wasn’t just fashion, it was flair, a declaration of freedom wrapped in style and attitude.

1. Pillbox Hat

Jackie Kennedy made this rounded, brimless hat a must-have for every fashion-forward teenager. When she wore her iconic pink version in 1961, department stores couldn’t keep them stocked!

Young women paired these structured beauties with Sunday dresses and formal coats. The pillbox sat perfectly atop teased hairdos, adding instant sophistication to any outfit without messing up those carefully sprayed curls.

2. Go-Go Boots

André Courrèges unleashed these knee-high wonders in 1965, and teenage wardrobes were never the same. Bold, bright, and totally mod, go-go boots screamed youth culture louder than any protest sign.

Whether white patent leather or wild colors, these boots paired perfectly with mini skirts for dancing at clubs. Girls wore them everywhere – school dances, shopping trips, even casual weekend hangouts with friends.

3. Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Those upswept, winged frames turned every girl into a movie star instantly. Cat-eye sunglasses added mystery and glamour whether you were heading to the beach or just walking downtown.

Available in tortoiseshell, black, or even rhinestone-studded versions, they complemented beehive hairstyles beautifully. Some frames featured decorative details at the temples, making them conversation starters wherever you went.

4. Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Ray-Bans brought effortless cool to any teenage look during the late ’60s. Wayfarers especially became symbols of rebellion and rock-and-roll attitude, perfect for girls breaking traditional molds.

Unlike dainty cat-eyes, these bold frames made strong statements about independence. They worked equally well with jeans and t-shirts or sundresses, proving versatility was just as important as style back then.

5. White Dress Gloves

In the early 1960s, no respectable young woman would dare show up to church, weddings, or formal events without a pair of spotless white gloves. They symbolized grace, manners, and a touch of old-world polish that mothers proudly upheld.

But times were changing fast. By the late ’60s, those same gloves started collecting dust as teens ditched them entirely, letting bare hands signal a quiet rebellion against tradition and a bold embrace of modern freedom.

6. Patterned Colored Tights

When hemlines shot upward, tights exploded in wild patterns and psychedelic colors! Fishnet, geometric prints, stripes, and polka dots transformed legs into canvases of self-expression.

Teenage girls collected tights like trading cards – orange, purple, lime green, you name it. These weren’t just practical leg coverings; they were essential elements of the mod look that defined youthful rebellion and creativity.

7. Wide Statement Belt

Wide belts became the secret weapon of 1960s fashion, turning simple shift dresses and tunics into instant showstoppers.

Made from glossy patent leather, colorful vinyl, or daring chain links, they grabbed attention and added bold shape to every outfit.

Icons like Dionne Warwick made the oversized belt a fashion essential, inspiring teenage girls everywhere to cinch their waists and strut with confidence in silhouettes that felt fresh, fun, and full of personality.

8. Evening Clutch

Prom nights and elegant dates called for more than just an ordinary purse. Satin, beaded, and metallic clutches shimmered under dance hall lights, completing gowns and cocktail dresses with effortless grace. Oval silhouettes stood out, often adorned with jeweled clasps or intricate metalwork.

Small but statement-making, these evening bags carried little more than lipstick, a mirror, and confidence, teaching young women that sometimes the tiniest accessories held the most charm and sophistication of all.

9. Pearl Necklace

Nothing said timeless elegance quite like a strand of pearls around the neck. Jackie Kennedy’s influence made these classic gems absolute essentials for graduation photos and important family gatherings.

Whether real or high-quality imitations, pearls bridged the generation gap beautifully. Conservative parents approved while daughters appreciated how pearls elevated even simple sweater-and-skirt combinations into something truly special and grown-up.

10. Hoop Earrings

As the decade turned groovier, hoops grew bigger and bolder! These circular statements represented freedom, cultural pride, and a break from conservative jewelry traditions that dominated earlier years.

Gold, silver, or colorful enamel hoops swayed with every head turn and dance move. Urban fashion particularly embraced oversized hoops, making them symbols of confidence and self-expression for young women everywhere.

11. Statement Brooch

Brooches weren’t just for grandmothers anymore! Companies like Sarah Coventry created affordable, trendy designs that young women pinned to lapels, scarves, and even hats.

The 1968 “Ivy” design featured delicate leaves and faux pearls, perfectly capturing nature-inspired aesthetics. These versatile pieces allowed girls to personalize outfits inexpensively, swapping different brooches to match moods and occasions throughout the week.

12. Slim Leather Belt

While wide belts made bold statements, slim leather versions offered understated sophistication. These narrow beauties cinched cardigans, defined waistlines on shirtdresses, and added polish without overwhelming outfits.

Brown and black leather options became wardrobe workhorses that lasted for years. Every practical eighteen-year-old owned at least one quality slim belt, knowing it would transition seamlessly from high school to college to first jobs.