Costume Ideas for a '60s-Themed Party

So many celebrities from the '60s are so iconic in their own rights that it can seem difficult to distill what it is that makes their styles emblematic of the decade.

Here's a guide to each component and how you can recreate it yourself:

There were several distinct hairstyles throughout the '60s. No decade is completely disparate from the one that precedes or follows, and pompadours that are more associated with the '50s and sideburns that bring to mind the '70s were present in this decade.

However, here are some of the most distinctive hairstyles for this decade:

• The Beatles-style bowl cut (also known as a mop top), which is distinctive and easy to do.
• The afro, which has endless variations. For men or women, it can range from Bob Dylan's carefree cloud of curls to Diana Ross's immaculate, voluminous hair.
• The beehive or chignon for a classy updo. The iconic example is Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but if you watch Mad Men, you've seen Megan Draper née Calvet rocking quite a few.
• The super-short bob ala Twiggy.

The great thing about these hairdos is that they are all so sixties that just by styling your hair, you'll have half of your costume.

If you have long hair, check out these tutorials on how to style it in a beehive or a chignon.

For other styles, a wig is an easy investment that will come handy in more situations than you would expect. Check out the wigs below for a few examples.

This picture of Twiggy pretty much sums up the decade. Lots of eyeliner and mascara, with fake eyelashes to round out the mod look. For color, go bright and dramatic on the eyes and natural on the lips. To go bold, draw on the bottom lashes (be sure to use a liquid eyeliner).

Attire inspired by the Nehru jacket is another wave in fashion that started with the Beatles. These Asian jackets are generally hip-length with a mandarin collar, and they evolved into an endless variety of prints. Printed hip-length jackets with blazer collars also were in vogue a la Jimi Hendrix.

Bell bottoms were already starting in the sixties, but note that they are not the full-fledged bell bottoms of the seventies. Limit the funk to interesting solids and stripes.

In the sixties, things got short. Super minis and mod shift dresses will complete your costume. This style has come back around a bit with block prints, so you can feasibly find something in your closet or buy something you will wear again.

Now while the men wore boots as well, they are nowhere as valuable for a man's '60s costume as they are for a woman's.

Super long boots balanced out those short skirts and dresses. Low block heels were also considered mod.

Let me know what makes or breaks your '60s costume in the comments below.