1960s stretch pants: The sleek & sexy trend that changed everything

Slimming and sexy 1960s stretch pants

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1960s stretch pants helped make the world ready for leggings

Stretch pants were one of the defining wardrobe staples of the 1960s, giving women an option that felt modern, versatile, and, most importantly, comfortable. Besides being so incredibly practical, these slim-fitting pants also captured the decade’s obsession with sleek, figure-hugging styles that reflected a growing interest in active lifestyles and futuristic designs.

By the early 1960s, stretch fabrics were becoming more common, thanks to advancements in textile manufacturing. Materials like nylon and spandex made it possible to create pants that moved with the body without losing their shape. This was a major shift from the more structured garments of the 1950s. Suddenly, women had pants that were as functional as they were fashionable. Paired with tunics, sweaters or cropped jackets, stretch pants became a go-to look for everything from running errands to lounging at home.

Stretch pants styles from 1967

Designers quickly saw the potential in stretch pants, turning what was once a utilitarian idea into a style statement. Slim-cut stretch pants fit right in with the era’s focus on clean lines and bold looks, often featuring bright colors or playful patterns. The snug fit highlighted the legs and added a streamlined silhouette that worked perfectly with both casual flats and heeled shoes. They also became a favorite for celebrities, which helped cement their place as a trend people wanted to emulate.

During this time, there was also a growing interest in fashion that allowed for greater freedom of movement and comfort — like the popular pedal pushers or capri pants, which were shorter and looser versions of traditional trousers.The ability to move comfortably while still looking polished reflected the changing attitudes of the time. Women’s fashion was becoming less about rigid conformity and more about personal expression and practicality. Stretch pants, with their modern materials and stylish appeal, checked all the right boxes.

Below, we’ve collected vintage photos and articles showcasing these iconic stretch pants and how they were worn. See how this trend helped define a decade that embraced innovation in both fashion and lifestyle.

1960s stretch pants: Something new in fashion for women (1961)

By Betty Kohlman – The Tampa Tribune (Florida) August 13, 1961

Stretch pants are the latest and one of the greatest boons to womanhood. And strangely enough, a lot of women don’t know it.

They avoid them like the plague. “Stretch pants!” they exclaim, aghast. “With MY figure?”

The truth of the matter is, stretch pants are GOOD for the figure — almost any figure, up to and including size 16.

High-waisted striped stretch pants from the 60s (1961)
To prove the point, we enlisted the aid of a Tampa fashion coordinator and a couple of Tampa women who consented to model this new variety of sportswear.

One was Mrs Harry Bloch, who wears a size 10 and would be generally expected to “get away” with stretch pants. The other was was Mrs Charles Dallier, a size 14, and admittedly a little plump around the hips and mid-section.

“I have never dared wear slacks or slim jims,” Mrs Dallier protested when confronted with the stretch pants. But she soon changed her mind.

Stretch pants are remarkable for molding a trim, clean-cut figure — if you get the right ones.

Bright retro 60s multicolored stretch pants and patterned short-sleeve tops (1961)

In the first place, they stretch only one way — down. Thus, made of elasticized fabric, they act as a girdle.

They are held down in place by straps under the feet, so they maintain a long, clean line with no objectionable clinging to the wrong places. However, they must fit each individual properly.

Not only are they available in misses and junior sizes, but they are proportioned, a very important factor.

When selecting stretch pants, first make sure they fit the waist and hips neatly and firmly, but without undue strain.

Shire-Tex striped and plaid stretch slacks (1961)

Then, the legs should be exactly the right length to hang in a straight line, but without too taut a pull. If they seem uncomfortably tight, longer ones are indicated. And contrarily, slack at the knee calls for shorter pants.

These fabulous stretch pants are appearing on the fall fashion market in a variety of fabrics, in solid colors and patterns, and often teamed with coordinated blouses and sweaters.

MORE: Hot pants: A fashion fad of the seventies


These Mr Thomson pants never need ironing (1960s)

Smooth, stretchy Mr Thomson pants for women (1961)

Cute patterned retro stretch pants from 1961


Vintage 60s multicolored patterned form-fitting Pantino stretch pants (1961)

Non-existent pockets. Invisible zipper. Elasticized waistband. 5 to 15, 6 to 16. About $20. [And stirrups]

Vintage 60s multicolored patterned form-fitting Pantino stretch pants (1961)


Old 1960s tight red and white houndstooth Pantino stretch pants (1961)

It’s a good day for Pantinos, isn’t it? One of those days that puts you in a mood. To do something. Go somewhere. Wear something great.

Like this: houndstooth stretch pants in wool and nylon with elasticized waistband. In proportioned lengths. Pantino, for girls who are.

Old 1960s tight red and white houndstooth Pantino stretch pants (1961)


Stretchy casual clothes from Catalina (1961)

Stretchy casual clothes from Catalina (1961)


Jack Winter 1960s stretch pants (1961)

Jack Winter stretch pants (1961)


Shire-Tex by Davenshire lined wool stretch pants (1963)

Shire-Tex by Davenshire lined wool stretch pants (1963)


Stretch pants that are slim, sleek and comfortable are sweeping the US

The Sacramento Bee (California) July 25, 1963

Stretch pants are showing up everywhere today in a vertical long stemmed purled look with a footstrap under the arch. This look is sweeping the country.

Vintage 1963 stirrup leggings for women from Christenfeld

The art of “girl watching” has left the ski slope and today will find new members of that fraternity even on city streets.

Designers are helping to keep the stretch pant at the hearthside as well as putting it on the complete sporting scene.

One well-known pant designer has brought size 20 back onto the cutting boards. Because there is less fabric and more give, stretch pants have a quota of optical illusion.

Retro olive yellow leggings with a matching striped top (1962)

Juniors know what fabulous things stretch pants do for them, properly fitted to look slim, sleek, comfortable and conformable.

The leg is cut a shade wider the fabric skirts the calf. It bends with the knees and gives with the thighs, all for easy, feminine fit.

Stretch pants also solve the pant length and the ankle fit problems. Proportioned pants as designed by Jack Winter take no back seat, because the fabric stretches.

Vintage Mr Thomson stretch pants in green stripes (1964)

Proportioned stretch assures a proper and perfect fit. All three lengths are there with no compromising on inches.

If the proportions are reduced, the fit will be wrong and the fabric will have too much strain to hold up.

As a fabric ingredient, stretch has a tremendous future for all markets and the fabrics are being cut in tops, in shorts and in horizontal stretch pants.


Spandex retro Mr Thomson stretch pants in hot pink (1963)

Pink Spandex retro Mr Thomson stretch pants in hot pink (1963)


Retro Mr Thomson stretch pants in yellow (1963)

Vintage Mr Thomson stretch pants in yellow (1963)


60s Sportmaker separates – Sweaters and stretch pants (1964)

60s Sportmaker separates - Sweaters and stretch pants (1964)


Vintage Mr Thomson stirrup stretch pants in red (1963)

Vintage Mr Thomson stirrup stretch pants in red (1963)


Slim stretch pants from ’64

Slim stretch pants from '64

MORE: Bell-bottoms & beyond: Wild pants for women that were high fashion in the 60s and 70s


Christenfeld Convertibles 1960s stretch pants with and without stirrups (1964)

Detachable boot strap – Snaps on, snaps off in seconds to make these the most versatile stretch pants ever.

Christenfeld Convertibles stretch pants with and without stirrups (1964)


Fashionable stretch pants for women from the sixties (1964)

Fashionable stretch pants for women from the sixties (1964)


Sears 2-way stretch pants styles from 1964

Vintage Sears stretch pants styles from 1964


1960s Frontier Lee Stretch Denims by Lee (1964)

1960s Frontier Lee Stretch Denims by Lee (1964)


Spandex pants from Sears (1965)

The addition of Lycra Spandex in a wonderful twill fabric (57% Dacron polyester, 31% cotton, 12% Lycra Spandex) lets these horizontal Stretch Pants really stretch . . assures their recovery for trim, good looks that really last.

Even at this price of $6.90 a pair, we’ve fashioned these with flat-pressed seams, man-tailored zipper front closure, and 6 waist darts for the clean line and silhouette so prized in this popular casual.

Spandex pants from Sears (1965)


Proportioned vertical stretch pants (1965)

Proportioned vertical stretch pants (1965)


Super slim-fit 1960s stretch pants on slender woman (1965)

Super slim-fit stretch pants on slender woman (1965)


Stretch knit pants – Horizontal and two-way (1965)

Stretch knit pants (1965)


Plaid retro stretch pants in red, black and white (1967)

Plaid retro stretch pants in red, black and white (1967)


Vintage polyester stretch pants at Sears (1967)

Vintage polyester stretch pants at Sears (1967)

DON’T MISS: See vintage gaucho pants & culottes: These cute skirts were actually pants & so practical (1930s-1980s)

Stretchy leggings you can buy today

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