Posted on 03/08/2005 12:23:28 PM PST by pissant
1960-1970: Youth predominated the culture of the 1960's. The post World War II Baby Boom had created 70 million teenagers for the sixties, and these youth swayed the fashion, the fads and the politics of the decade. California surfers took to skateboards as a way to stay fit out of season, and by 1963, the fad had spread across the country. Barbie dolls, introduced by Mattel in 1959, became a huge success in the sixties, so much so that rival toy manufacturer Hasbro came up with G.I. Joe, 12 inches tall and the first action figure for boys. Another doll, the troll or Dammit doll (named for it's creator, Joseph Dam) was a good luck symbol for all ages. Slot cars overtook toy trains in popularity.
In fashion, the 1960's began with crew cuts on men and bouffant hairstyles on women. Men's casual shirts were often plaid and buttoned down the front, while knee-length dresses were required wear for women in most public places. By mid-decade though, miniskirts or hot pants, often worn with go-go boots, were revealing legsl bodywear was revealing curves, and women's hair was either very short or long and lanky. Men's hair became longer and wider along with beards and moustaches. Menswear too had a much needed renaissance; bright colors, double-breasted sports jackets, polyester pants suits with Nehru jackets, and turtlenecks were in vogue.
By 1964 the teenage influence caused the hemlines to creep up, and most teenagers were wearing mid-thigh length shifts as daywear. The sweater-dress was also very popular with young girls from 1961 onwards, until the mid-60s when other innovative designs were introduced. 1965 saw the premiere of culotte dresses in op-art or vibrant coloured patters (think Peter Max or Pucci) and these were most popular as evening or party wear; culottes had the freedom of trousers but the look of a full skirt. 1966’s dress was the tent, or "baby doll dress", sometimes in transparent chiffon, worn over a contrasting slip, and often sewn-in.
1966 was the year of the mini-skirt! Widely acknowledged as the brainchild of designer Mary Quant, within a year anybody who had the body to pull it off was wearing a mini, many of whose hemlines were 4-5 inches above the knee in New York and 7-8 inches above the knee in London! Throughout this time skirts were often paired with a matching sweater and matching set of tights for a uniform look. 1965 and 66 also saw the mini-coat, perfectly straight and virtually shapeless; also the pop-inspired dyed furs and PVC designs. By 1967 capes were popular, and were often made with matching deerstalker hats.
In the fall 1967 collections, the paper dress made its debut. Made of paper blended with nylon or other cellulose material, it was intended for everyday wear but was only ever widely used as holiday or lounge wear, due to its tendency to crease and also its, er, flammability.
In ladies' tops or blouses, from 1960 onwards the turtleneck, or polo neck, sweater was common, especially under a collarless jacket, and in 1966 Aran sweaters, with their thick knit, became trendy. Sleeve length was usually ¾ length, with long sleeves often pushed partway up the arms for a ¾ look (think Jackie O style suits and jackets). Sleeveless tops did not become popular until the mid 1960s.
By the end of the decade, men's ties, when worn, were up to 5" wide; most were patterned even when worn with stripes. Women wore peasant skirts or granny dresses and chunky shoes. Unisex dressing was very popular, featuring the bell bottomed jeans, love beads, and embellished t-shirts. Clothing was as likely to be purchased at surplus stores as boutiques. Blacks of both genders wore their hair in an afro; whites of both genders wore their hair either big and frizzy or long and straight.
I recently viewed two films from the '30's, the original "Scarface" and the Al Jolson vehicle "Wonder Bar". The women's fashions in those movies were incredible! Plunging backless formal dresses everywhere, very sexy but not cheap and tawdry. Plus the makeup emphasis on the eyes was verrrry hot. Keep yer modern Hollywood tart, give me Ann Dvorak or Dolores Del Rio any day!
I had to go look and you are right- $23!!
LOL. I still have all the yearbooks from when I was in 7th grade up to my Senior year. Like I said, I had hair with a mind of it's own, so it was a rats nest in Junior High, and all moussed up through Senior High. LOL
The middle part with feathered sides is a guy hair cut that is now banned for eternity...
Wow! Some of the prices of those Trapper Keepers are outrageous! I remember paying little over a $1.00 for mine. LOL
What the hell is a trapper keeper?
Yeah, the feathered hairdo, parted down the middle is what I had from 9th grade on up. It was all the rage. A few had mohaws, some just shaved the sides.
I think the 1930s thru the early sixties was the high water mark for gals fashions.
I just got the infamous xbox
A Trapper Keeper was your locker under your arm!! Carried everything from your pens, pencils, paper, and if you had a real fancy one, they came with a scientific calculator built right in!
musta been after my time...
Oh yeah, I was real trouble! LOL!
Miss Absolutely Squeeky Clean, to this day.....and I mean that in every sense!
Back then, I mite fool some people but I was (and am) so damned straight-laced I'm usually attacked for being a goody-goody.
I just liked what I liked in style and wore what I darn well pleased! Even if I was actually a nerd, I never felt that my "repressed" lifestyle needed to translate into "repressed" style!
Trapper Keepers were the rage during the 1980's.
Definitely "Leisure Suit Larry" in the 70s. LOL!
You sound like a good egg (with still a hint of trouble)
Did you see post 81?
Trappers were vinyl-based binders that had wrap-around binding (closed w/velcro - I think the 1st regular use of that) for closing the whole binder, and other features inside to allegedly help keep things in. They came w/ - and sold separately - side-pocket folders.
They came in some solid colors and all kinds of style schemes or photograph schemes. I think I finally got 1 that was just red. It was pretty neat.
However, it was vinyl-based and it wasn't too long before the vinyl at the binder edges - esp. the closing flap - tore down the edges and you had 1st a normal binder, then no binder at all.
There was a kid a year younger than me, he had a buzzcut and tail.
Damn, I missed out. I had yellow Pee-Chees with the all white athletes that were great for doodling on during english class...
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