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.
you're right.
i liked 1950's-60's 'till '67 or so.
until the leftists crawled out of their holes.
i didn't like bell bottoms.
LOL! First time I saw a Trapper Keeper ad on MTV, I thought "MAN! I gotta have one!". :D
You remember acid wash and stone wash jeans? LOL
Yes! Again- I begged for a pair of acid washed jeans like I would just die if I didn't get them. I even had an ice washed jean jacket with leather fringe! I loved that jacket. LMAO!!
True (and sad) story- I have a picture of my 7 year old nephew wearing an acid washed jean jacket outside of my wedding reception. What is sad about that, you may ask? I was married in the summer of 2000!!
ya'know. I've talked to thrift shop owners in NYC and they tell me that the top designers "people" are coming into the stores, buying all the old stuff from previous decades for ideas. They simply just use new material...different cut...and voila!...Consumers are paying TOP DOLLAR for reworked stuff from the past.
The lovely and talentless Bjork. My wife rented a movie in which she played a depressed factory worker. Unwatchable. Interesting voice though.
The lovely and talentless Bjork. My wife rented a movie in which she played a depressed factory worker. Unwatchable. Interesting voice though.
She's unique.
The "tent" dress was NEVER called a "baby doll" dress and never when it was done in sheer fabric.That was known as a "cage" and I should know,because not only did I own and wear both,but my wedding gown was a "CAGE"!
Culottes were introduced in the '40s. They made a comeback in the mid '60s (when they were NOT "full" at all,but A LINE) and then again,in the mid '80s.
One of the "coolest" trends,in the '60s,were dresses and skirts that had a split over skirt and a same colored,but different fabric slime underskirt and for fun,split over over skirts ( usually several splits) with Bermuda shorts under it.
Short/mini type skirst had been tried in the mid '50s and failed. Minis didn't hit America until '66 (though college girls wore "short"/a couple of inches above the knee, kilts in thed early to mud '60s)and didn't reach the heights that they did in England for a very long time;just when the ankle length/MAXIS became the new trend,around '71.
The 3/4 length sleeves thing was done,over,gone,by '66.
And nowhere is mentioned " sack dresses",which were BIG in the late '50s and again in the mid '60s.
Baby doll dresses were EMPIRE (waistline,with or without a belt/sash/sewn in delineation) style,without the usual slim design,but rather,a fuller silhouette.
And they also left out the dress over pants evening wear look,which was also popular in the late '60.
No if hollywood could just bring back some stars with class, we'd be in great shape.
Wow, we have an expert on hand now.
Although there is one exception to that rule, I will not wear anything from my dad's closet like I did during "Nerd Day" during Spirit Week one year. Mom grabbed the ugliest butterfly collar shirt from dad's closet and I wore it. LOL
Beautiful clothes era and don't forget the beautiful hats and the Reddingot coats and Bedau Brummel style for men.
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