First things first: I have to preface this by saying that reliving the Y2K years was fun while it lasted. Bare bellies, cargo pants, capris, and visible g-strings — these millennial staples tickled a certain kind of nostalgia that reminded us of a simpler, more optimistic time in our lives. I could practically hear the staticky beep-boops of my modem shaking hands with another as it opened up the wondrous world of the internet. Having experienced the era (and its campy fashion), I went into this decade do-over with a different perspective than those who hadn’t. It wasn’t new, but I was excited to welcome it anyway — and I’m equally excited to say goodbye. 

Now, as it typically does, fashion is rewinding history again — this time, by almost 65 years. The 1960s were a time of radical transformation, marked by the emergence of diverse styles that echoed the shifting social, political, and cultural landscapes. There’s a lot, too much even, to unpack when it comes to that era in fashion, but here’s what to know in a nutshell. The early ‘60s served as an extension of the classic silhouettes that defined much of the ‘50s. It was during this period that first lady Jacqueline Kennedy exercised a massive influence on fashion with her chestnut bouffant and sleek, presidential outfits in simple, clean-lined silhouettes. 

On the other hand, the mid and late ‘60s saw a departure from formality and a push toward self-expression through clothing. Women took their cues from youth cults, the music scene, the space race, and countercultural movements, which spawned styles like the mini-skirted, childlike mod look, atomic-era metallics, and eclectic, hippie romanticism. Although each one of these iconic fashion moments warrants its own chapter (or whole book, really), the industry’s resurgent interest in the 1960s, which took off last spring, has largely focused on the demure, ladylike silhouettes and prim-and-proper tailoring that defined the early years of the decade. 

Eager to give the aesthetic a whirl, I got to planning. I wanted to put together a feminine look that also leaned into the masculine, corporate-y energy we’ve been seeing a lot of lately. First came this ladylike jacket by Paris-based Destree. Helmed by Géraldine Guyot and Laetitia Lumbroso, the brand offers up a masterclass in effortlessly precise tailoring. There’s  something about the large lapels, slightly abbreviated sleeves, and covered buttons that reminded me of this look Jacqueline Kennedy wore at a parade in 1963. A crisp white button-up and a wool tie, erm, tied into the posh theme that anchored this outfit.

Acclaimed sci-fi series Severance, in particular, was top-of-mind as I was putting together this outfit. (I mean, who isn’t obsessed with that show?) The show is shot at Bell Labs’ former New Jersey headquarters, which was built in the 1960s — and that’s exactly the decade that costume designer Sarah Edwards mined when researching ideas for what the characters would wear on the severed floor. Lumon Industries’ dress code dictates that “all clothing is to be monochromatic and solid in color.” I picked gray, which is one of the permitted colors per the handbook.

As for the hat, I took cues from “Woe’s Hollow,” the fourth episode of the second season. Taking place in a stark winter landscape outside of the company headquarters, this episode puts the show’s main characters in long and heavy black coats and matching fuzzy hats. That’s where this faux-fur pillbox hat by New York-based designer Adrienne Landau came in. It wasn’t quite as structured as I’d hoped, but it still captured the elegance and grace of the era I was trying to channel — while adding textural interest to an otherwise polished ensemble. Looking to recreate this fit with its mishmash of references? Here’s where to shop every item.