Psychedelic Rock Style: How to Nail the Look

Psychedelic rock was a music and fashion phenomenon of the late 1960s. The style is characterized by bright colors, outrageous patterns, and an overall trippy vibe. Here’s how to get the look.

The Psychedelic Rock Look

Psychedelic rock is making a comeback and so is the fashion style that goes along with it. If you want to nail the look, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to find some vintage clothes. Second, you’ll need to add some bold and bright colors. Third, don’t be afraid to accessorize. And finally, make sure your hair is big and voluminous.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock, is a subgenre of rock music that is inspired, or influenced, by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelic rock began in the mid-1960s with British and American bands such as The Beatles, The Byrds, and The Beach Boys experimenting with new sounds and production techniques inspired by their LSD experiences.

The Elements of Psychedelic Rock Style

The look of psychedelic rock is defined by a few key elements: Free-flowing silhouettes, bright colors, and lots of patterns. Clothing was often handmade or tie-dyed, and hair was long, unkempt, and often adorned with flowers.

One of the most iconic looks associated with psychedelic rock is the “flower power” look popularized by bands like The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. This look usually consisted of a brightly colored button-down shirt (often with floral patterns) paired with bell-bottom jeans. For women, skirts were often long and flowy, and tops were often cropped or billowy.

Another key element of psychedelic style is paisley, a pattern that became synonymous with the hippie movement. Paisley shirts, dresses, and scarves were all popular items in thepsychedelic wardrobe. Patterned items were often layered together to create a “more is more” look.

Bright colors are another defining characteristic of psychedelic style. Neon hues were especially popular, as they tended to stand out against the natural landscapes that many hippies frequented. Bold prints and patterns were also popular, as they added to the overall trippy effect that many Psychedelic Rock bands were going for.

Of course, no discussion of Psychedelic Rock style would be complete without mentioning tie-dye. This unique dying technique was often used to create patterns on clothing that resembled swirls of color found in natural phenomena like rainbows and sunsets. Tie-dye shirts, dresses, pants, and even hats were all popular items in the Psychedelic wardrobe.

How to Nail the Psychedelic Rock Look

The Psychedelic Rock style can be achieved by following a few simple style tips. To start, opt for vintage-inspired clothing with bold prints and colors. Think about what kind of statement you want to make with your outfit and go for it! Pair your look with some chunky jewelry and platform shoes to really make a statement.

Clothing

Clothing is probably the most important aspect of nailing the psychedelic rock look. Color is key, and you want to mix and match patterns and textures to create an eye-catching, eccentric look. Think vivid colors, bold prints, and ruffles. accessorize with chunky jewelry and statement sunglasses. And don’t be afraid to experiment with makeup! Go for a bold lip or smoky eye, or both.

Hair

Your hair is an important part of your psychedelic rock look. The best psychedelic hairstyles are big, bold, and full of personality. Think about what kind of statement you want to make with your hair and go for it!

There are no rules when it comes to psychedelic rock hairstyles, so have fun with it. If you’re not sure where to start, check out some of the iconic hairstyles from the classic psychedelia era. The Beatles’ mop tops and Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick’s pixie cut are both great places to start.

Once you’ve decided on a style, it’s time to get creative with color. Psychedelic rock is all about making a statement, so don’t be afraid to go bright! Bold colors like purple, pink, and blue are all perfect for creating a psychedelic look. You can also try out some funky color combinations like orange and green or red and yellow.

Don’t forget to accessorize! Tiaras, headbands, flowers, and feathers are all great ways to add a little extra personality to your look.

Makeup

Psychedelic rockers weren’t afraid of a little (or a lot of) makeup. Whether they were going for a natural look or something more theatrical, they always made sure their faces were flawlessly Instagrammable.

For a modern take on the style, start with a clean face and well-moisturized skin. Then, using a foundation brush, apply a full coverage foundation all over the face and neck. Next, use a concealer to cover up any blemishes or under-eye circles. Once your base is complete, it’s time to start contouring.

If you want to go for a more natural look, stick to bronzer and highlight. Use bronzer to create shadows and contour the face, and then use a highlighter on the areas you want to bring out, like the cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose. For something more dramatic, use black eyeliner to create winged liner or smoky eyes. Finish off with mascara and false lashes if desired.

For the lips, go for a nude or pale pink color. If you want something more colorful, try a bright red or orange shade. And don’t forget the blush! Add color to your cheeks with peach, pink, or coral blush.

Accessories

Accessories are key to nailing the psychedelic rock style. Think headbands, long beaded necklaces, statement earrings, and tie-dye everything. If you’re going for a ’60s look, don’t forget a pair of round, metal-framed sunglasses. And when it comes to shoes, the sky’s the limit — thinkplatforms, moccasins, and even go-go boots.