Photos By Gail

Among the many fashion trends born during the Swinging Sixties, few captured the era’s spirit of experimentation quite like the Nehru jacket. Distinguished by its streamlined shape, stand-up mandarin collar, and lack of traditional lapels, the style represented a dramatic break from conventional Western tailoring. Named after Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, whose achkan  knee-length long coats inspired the look, the jacket became an unlikely symbol of the counterculture and flower power movements, blending Eastern influences with the decade’s appetite for bold colors and new ideas.

By the mid-1960s, the Nehru jacket had become a favorite of musicians, artists, and fashion-forward celebrities. The Beatles famously embraced Indian culture during their psychedelic period, helping to popularize the style around the world. Soon, richly patterned versions appeared in vibrant paisleys, florals, and kaleidoscopic prints that perfectly complemented the era’s fascination with peace, spirituality, and self-expression. Unlike the conservative suits of earlier decades, the Nehru jacket invited individuality, making it equally at home on Carnaby Street, at Woodstock, or in a trendy boutique.

Installation View

The jacket pictured here exemplifies the exuberance of the period. Its swirling floral motifs in shades of red, gold, blue, and purple transform a simple silhouette into a wearable work of art. More than half a century later, the Nehru jacket remains an enduring design icon, a reminder of a time when fashion looked beyond borders and embraced a more colorful and connected world.

Photographed at the NY Botanical Garden in tne Bronx as Part of the Flower Power Exhibit.