This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Nottingham chapter.

Recent influences in fashion are drawn from 60s style – prints, mini skirts, faux fur and plenty of polyester! Therefore, this is also great time to catch up on 60s music! This hypnotic change had rebellious young people across the country mad on a new wave of music. Iconic styles were born, such as Nancy Sinatra’s boots, which are still loved today.

Not only did the fashion undergo a dramatic change, as influenced by artists during the 60s, but also the ways in which music was consumed, leading to the creation of the pirate station, Radio Caroline. With a vast array of DJs, everyone tuned in late at night to listen to the music.

The rise of second-wave Feminism challenged archaic representations of women as younger versions of their mothers, and invited them to be independent and frivolous beings. Fashion became sex-fuelled, skirts became shorter, and as a result, music focused on bringing the two sexes together.

These ideas challenged the social norms of the time and divided young people into two groups of music taste – the Mods and Rockers. The two rivals fought and insulted each other’s musical tastes and social ideals. The Mods were found on Carnaby Street wearing parkas, and rode scooters, whereas the Rockers hung out in Ace Café drinking coffee in their full leathers with a stream of motorbikes outside.

However, while these two groups were polarised, it enabled bands to brand their music to these particular groups. For example, The Who were a Mod band and their iconic target symbol was seen on their fans.

In its popularity, pop music was seen as less cool than the more underground Rocker movement, so when parents say they were Rockers, but their entire record collection only has one Rolling Stones album, they probably weren’t!

60s music lead the way from rationing and post-war blues to a new lease of life. Main pop/rock group, The Beatles, put Britain on the map and are still loved today, with many artists continuing to cover their songs.

I was once enjoying ‘Beggin’’ by Madcon when my mother pointed out that it’s actually a piece from the 60s by Franki Valli & The Four Seasons.

I realised there was a whole new way to interpret this music and dance to it. Intoxicated by the music, mainstream dancing in the 60s involved twisting your feet, along with other embarrassing dance moves! Not to mention these songs had underlying connections to narcotics at the time, which also influenced rebellious behaviour.