Summer Dresses - 1965

In a radical change from 5 years ago, gone are the full skirted styles that reigned for nearly 15 years. The look is tailored and elegant, with the merest hint of shaping at the waist. Just starting to appear are Mod, Op-art, Pop-art, and Psychedelic styles that will become wildly popular over the next few years. Hemlines are on the rise, and will soon be called mini. Here, dresses for the heat of summer from 1965.

Dior black and white silk print tailored wrap dress.

Guy Laroche silk dress in a pop-art swirl print.

Tailored sheath in apricot voile by R&K. Sold for $20 in 1965 (about $139 in today's dollar).

Jean Patou red linen princess seamed dress.

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner double layer op-art dress in organza over crepe.

Tony Armstrong white linen sheath with blue and red stripes has a decidedly Mod feel. Sold for $100 in 1965 (about $693 in today's dollar).