Fall Trends: Mod Style

Photo: By Amy Dickerson

Twiggy and The Shrimp. They sound like something on the menu at Red Lobster, but in fact these two women were iconic British models, synonymous in the '60s with what became known as mod style. This was an era when girls wore tiny miniskirts and short, boyish haircuts. The girls and women sported huge false lashes, everyone wanted a pair of white patent go-go boots and the young and hip filled their apartments with swirling graphic prints and monochrome color schemes. Still crazy after all these years, mod is back in style once again. But if you're wondering how to wear it this time around and are concerned that perhaps those minidresses may not suit you, no worries. It's easy if you know the tricks to bringing the Mod look into your wardrobe without emptying your bank account or feeling overexposed.

It's All About the Line

Soyon An, a stylist who works on "American Idol" and won two emmys for "So You Think You Can Dance," among other credits, appreciated mod."To me, mod is about clean lines that create a chic silhouette. It's very striking. Think shapes like straight cigarette pants, geometric shapes and patterns. Everything is angular and geometric."

Also, the use of color is all-important when creating a mod look. "A great representation of mod is color-blocking," An continued. "So think bright and vibrant. This past Gucci collection is a great example of color-blocking, but a brand doing this for a more affordable price is Zara."

Budget Babes

If you're wondering which key items you should buy if you're on a limited budget, An said you only need two or three pieces to achieve the look.

"You could go for a bright, solid-color flared-out pant," she suggested. "Maybe a pant in coral-orange. You can dress that down a little bit with a nude-colored top. Another mod key item is a boat neck blouse. Then, for shoes, choose something in a bright color. Wedges work really well with this style. It's the color that makes the style, along with the neckline and the clean lines."

Another advocate of money-saving shopping is Susan Gregg Koger, chief creative officer at the online store ModCloth.com.

"I think a great mod shift dress is easy to wear. Also stick to the black-and-white color palette; that way you can wear and accessorize one piece in many different ways. Another low-cost way to get a mod look is to invest in some colorful, bright tights. You can wear those with shorter skirts you might already own. Team [the tights] with a low-heeled pump or boot and you can get that mod look with things that you already have."

Perspex, Patent and Plastic

An suggested going big and bold with accessories. "I would choose a plastic, colored, geometric bangle or a big, chunky Perspex ring. Lots of enamel jewelry from thrift stores also fit with this look."

Gregg Koger said that texture and patterns are key things to look for when choosing a bag. "When I think of mod, I definitely think of patent," she said. "I would definitely look for a great patent handbag and bags with graphic prints. The Royal Air Force target symbol with blue and red was a big thing for mod style, too. Sometimes it can be harder to find authentic stuff in thrift stores from the '60s, but there were resurgences of this style in the '80s and early '90s, so you can find those pieces more easily."

Skinny Minis?

With all those minidresses and thigh-skimming tight pants, could mod be a look reserved only for the model-thin? Definitely not, said An and Gregg Koger.

"Honestly, I would say because it's about the color and the shapes", An said, "if you're larger a great silhouette for you is the A-line dress. You can be any shape and pull that off."

Gregg Koger added, "The important thing about wearing Mod style is not to wear something you don't feel comfortable in or you feel doesn't look right for you.

"You can definitely pull mod inspiration into pieces that work for your body. So go for graphic prints or think about bringing it only into your footwear. You can wear a patent, flat-heeled boot for the Mod look. That's a great way to bring it in without going all the way there."

For those who feel really self-conscious about wearing bright color or rocking a tiny mini dress, there's always the signature makeup style of the Mod era.

Gregg Koger said dramatic eye makeup can bring mod style to your look without going all-out.

"Wearing fake eyelashes might be a little extreme for the day, but it's really fun for night," she said. "That look was huge in the Mod movement. If you look at pictures of Twiggy from that time period, she's wearing false lashes not just on the top but on the bottom lashes, too. It definitely makes a statement, and they're not expensive. You can also draw a line of liquid black eyeliner on your upper lash-line. Most people already own that, too."

So while Twiggy was known for her androgynous model looks, everyone can successfully pull off mod style and make it their own by incorporating just a few elements. Or you can really go to town and throw on a graphic print mini and patent flat boots. Remember, if you're in doubt, false lashes look great on everyone.