How to Dress Like a Mod

Mod is a culture and fashion style based on the Modernism culture of the late 1950s to late 1960s. The fashion originally came from people from the streets of London, England. It looks classic and great, and is now popular throughout the world!

Steps

1. Know the colors. The Mod style focuses on color blocking, black and white, and hints of bright yellow, orange, pink, and pastels. Bold, geometric patterns like English Flags, polka-dots and stripes were all popular.
2. Remember to reject 1950s fashion. The Mod style is the antithesis of the feminine, "poodle-skirt" fashion. It rarely pulls any trend, if any at all from the 1950s. Instead the mod style features form-fitting clothing, unisex styles and bold patterns.

Dressing Mod for Women

1. Wear short hair and dramatic eye makeup. The Twiggy-style make up of large eyes is a great fashion statement. Women can apply heavy eyeliner and false eyelashes.
   • Reject most other make up like blush and eye shadow. Nude lipstick is good.
   • Pale skin can look good; don't tan.
2. Get classic Mod female outfits.
   • Try sleeveless tops and big sweaters. Mod shirts are usually 3/4-length sleeves or sleeveless. Loose sweaters are also a big fashion statement.
   • Look for fitted pants. Fitted ankle or capri pants are also characteristic of the mod fashion.
   • Break out the mini-skirts. Mod skirts are short or mini-length. Short, shift or A-line dresses with bold, geometric Mod patterns are common for the mod style.
3. Try chunky shoes. Chunky patent leather knee/ankle-high boots, loafers or clogs in a variety of colors. Go-Go boots are also a fashion icon.
4. Top things off with accessories: Scarves, bold jewelry, headbands, and big sunglasses inspired by modern art accentuate the look.
5. Wear sturdy coats for foggy London weather. Peacoats and rain trench coats are a popular this look.
   • You can also try borrowing a coat from a male Mod. This may make people think you are dating though.

Dressing Mod for Men

1. Get the classic Mod look clothes. You can look great as a Mod without spending a lot of money.
   • Look for well-made, slim-cut suits. The original mods wore tailored suits (black, gray and brown) with vests and pocket squares. Pants should be slim and suits should always be three button.
   • You don't need to wear a suit. You can try collared shirts and luxe sweaters. Button-up collared shirts, cashmere sweaters and patterned shirts are all popular choices for this fashion style.
   • Favor trousers over jeans. Classic black trousers or suit pants. Jeans are rarely appropriate for the mod look for men.
2. Get a Mop-top haircut. Grow your hair out to have a bit of the bowl cut. Your hair should look like the Beatles around 1965.
3. Accessorize. Thin ties, newsboy caps and scarves all pull together the look for men.
   • Buttons from mod bands and British flag pins can complete the look.
4. Wear dapper shoes. Pointed toe shoes or oxfords are always a solid choice for the mod look.
   • Keep them polished.
   • Doc Martens and desert boots are also fine.
5. Wear a coat in the winter. Try close-cut, thin coats.
   • Coats should always be thin, not baggy. Peacoats and trench coats are popular.
   • It is good to get a British made coat like Burberry. But buy an old one at a thrift store; it will look more authentic and be cheaper.
   • You can also have a Royal Air Force coat with a logo from The Who, The Untouchables or others.

Perfecting the Look

1. Watch the movie. You can get many inspirations from the movie Quadrophenia, by the Who. You can see a lot of people dressed as classic Mod's from the 1960's in the movie. Their way of dressing may be just slightly different from the modern Mod, but that is actually great to see.
2. Check out mods on The Who's website. There is lots of inspiration on how Mod's look today that you can see. You can even find the Instagram feeds of people with great Mod style.
3. Remember that Rockers are the enemy. You also don't like skinheads much. Ska fans are OK though.
4. Every Mod looks good on a Vespa scooter.

Things You'll Need

• Button Up Shirts (Long or Short Sleeve)
• Slim/Skinny Fit Slacks
• Thin ties
• Cardigans or blazers
• Three Button Suits
• Levi's Sta Pressed Trousers
• Clark's Desert Boots, Oxfords, or Doc Martens shoes
• Polo T-Shirts (Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Penguin, Farah)

Tips

• Don't try too hard, be yourself while trying to go for this style.
• Try to bring something new to the mod fashion community.