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Which Decade Had the Best Fashion??
AmericanVintageBlues ^ | 12/04 | Staff

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.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: hotties
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To: Wolfstar
You know how to whistle, doncha . . .
21 posted on 03/08/2005 12:39:53 PM PST by colorado tanker (The People Have Spoken)
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To: KC_Conspirator

Don't forget the fine men's hairdos. Flock of Seagulls, Poison, etc...


22 posted on 03/08/2005 12:39:56 PM PST by pissant
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To: najida
Great fashions for those with Sponge-Bob body types :)

Not Elizabeth Bennett!

23 posted on 03/08/2005 12:40:08 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim (This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around.....)
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To: MikeinIraq

80's sucked ?
Whaaaaaaa? Parachute pants, pegged pants and boat shoes, girls with crimped hair. 80's rocked for clothes.


24 posted on 03/08/2005 12:40:40 PM PST by Holicheese (This is Hockey East)
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To: pissant

Which of the 20th cent? After FDR only? What?

Well, frankly, I like alot of the "ancient" styles - and I think the '10s were probably overall really neat.

The '40s were great, and I think the '50s were not much different.

The '60s SUCKED. All around, in every way, including "fashion" (whether hippie or average Joe).

I liked the '80s; I'm biased of course, but things were so cool and you had all kinds of choices; alot was retro '50s and such too. (Bet you forgot about that - and only think of "big hair", "mullets" [a term never used in the '80s] and "torn sweatshirts" - choices, but not really the norm.) Style-wise it was largely a "happy" decade (as well as in music) which showed alot of spunk and zest. That's how I view it.

But overall, perhaps I'd say the '40s were best. The '50s would do very well, too.


25 posted on 03/08/2005 12:41:32 PM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: pissant

With your "Frankie Says Relax" t-shirt on.


26 posted on 03/08/2005 12:41:37 PM PST by KC_Conspirator (This space outsourced to India)
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To: pissant

For me it's a tossup between the 1940's and the 1980's. I lounge around the house in sweats and t-shirts, but when I got to get up and go, it's polo shirts and cargo pants.


27 posted on 03/08/2005 12:41:39 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (You have a //cuckoo// God given right //Yeeeahrgh!!// to be an //Hello?// atheist)
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To: pissant
I think the mid '50's to mid '60's had the best taste. You know, just before everybody started dressing like slobs.

Hell, last week I went to a fairly nice restaurant and I noticed a couple of women, I swear , dressed in what looked like pajamas.

28 posted on 03/08/2005 12:42:31 PM PST by oyez (¡Qué viva la revolución de Reagan!)
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To: pissant

Best decade for women's fashions? 1800-1810, IMHO....


29 posted on 03/08/2005 12:42:43 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Redcloak

"1330s"

Indeed. Suits of armour for the dudes and floor length rags for the gals.


30 posted on 03/08/2005 12:43:08 PM PST by pissant
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To: the OlLine Rebel

It's amazing how in the 1940s and 50s pics of large groups of folks on the street show all men in suits and women in dresses and combed hair. I think the early 1960s can't be lumped in with the hippie influence. Think James Bond (stud) and Audrey Hepburn (yum).


31 posted on 03/08/2005 12:47:00 PM PST by pissant
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To: pissant

The best fashion- in my opinion.

32 posted on 03/08/2005 12:47:14 PM PST by RushCrush (I like America to some extent. -Michael Moore)
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To: KC_Conspirator

And you oversized comb sticking out the back pocket of your Brittania jeans....


33 posted on 03/08/2005 12:48:11 PM PST by pissant
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To: BigSkyFreeper

The 1980's Rocked!


34 posted on 03/08/2005 12:48:14 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (You have a //cuckoo// God given right //Yeeeahrgh!!// to be an //Hello?// atheist)
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To: PennsylvaniaMom
I loved the fashions of the 40s.

I'll second that!

35 posted on 03/08/2005 12:48:43 PM PST by Lil'freeper (Te audire no possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.)
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To: oyez

If they were spongebob PJs than I'm OK with it....


36 posted on 03/08/2005 12:49:21 PM PST by pissant
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To: pissant

It's not what's worn, it's who's wearing it.

37 posted on 03/08/2005 12:49:26 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim (This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around.....)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

I also like 1916, for some reason....


38 posted on 03/08/2005 12:50:11 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: RushCrush

Yep, early sixties. smart suits and HOT dresses for the gals.


39 posted on 03/08/2005 12:50:28 PM PST by pissant
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Is that Jane Fonda?


40 posted on 03/08/2005 12:51:09 PM PST by pissant
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