Welcome to the 1960's

What was it like living in the 1960's What was it like living in the 1960's? Your job is to gain knowledge of the early 1960's culture in order to better understand and connect with the characters in The Outsiders. You will explore such topics as music, cars, clothing, entertainment, and more! Go to the next slide and start your journey!

S.E. Hinton Meet the Author Journey #1: S.E. Hinton was a teenager in the 1960’s. Learn about this author and why she decided to write The Outsiders. Click on the link below and use the information in this web site to find the answers to your assigned questions. http://aboutsehinton.com/

The Sounds of the 60's Journey #2: The music of the 1960’s changed the direction of popular music in the United States. The 1960’s was an era of an increasingly popular style of music: Rock and Roll. Some music of the 1960s was a message there was a need for change in the society. Other music celebrated life, the beach, hot rods or told a story. The music reflected the diversity of American culture. People attended live concerts, indoors and out, listened to the radio, and played records—both 45s and LP albums.

The Beatles The “Fab Four” The Beatles were the idols of the gang in The Outsiders called the Socs. Use the following web sites to answer the questions on this band. The “Fab Four” A. http://www.answers.com/topic/the-beatles B. http://www.beatles.com/

Elvis Presley The King of Rock and Roll The Greasers, a gang in The Outsiders, idolized Elvis Presley. One might say that they based their ‘style’ on this very famous man. Use the web sites below to answer the questions on Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll A. http://www.elvis.com/ B. http://www.history-of-rock.com/elvis_presleythree.htm

Journey #3: Television In the1960’s People liked to gather in front of the set as a family while eating TV dinners. Television was also just starting to really become an essential item in many households. Two decades earlier, a television set in the home was a major purchase where a family could consider themselves lucky to have one. During the 60s, the prices of these sets were starting to come down so everyone could afford to buy one and in some cases– two! http://www.tvhistory.tv/1961-Zenith-Ad.JPG

Let's Go to the Movies! Journey #4: Popular movie genres in the 1960’s were historical drama, monster films, spy films, and westerns called ‘spaghetti westerns’. Such movies as Cleopatra, Dracula/Frankenstein, The Pink Panther, Ocean’s Eleven, Planet of the Apes, and James Bond films were very popular.

Movie Star: Paul Newman Paul Leonard Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008) was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and auto racing enthusiast. A. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000056/bio B. http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Newman/newman.htm

Journey #5: Cars of the 60's The 1960's saw the American automobile industry consolidating into the Big Three: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. These firms not only dominated the American market with the sales of the 1960’s cars, but the world market as well. In 1960 American companies built 93% of the autos sold in the United States and 48% of world sales. The 1960's automobiles belonged to a distinct decade of automobile history with the development of economy, muscle, and pony cars. http://www.anythingaboutcars.com/1960s-cars.html

Ford Mustang Introduced in April 1964, the Mustang had sporty styling, a reasonable price, and a long list of options that appealed to men and women of all ages. A. http://fordmustanghistory.org/the-history-of-the-ford-mustang/ B. http://www.mustangdreams.com/mdconvert.htm

Chevy Corvair The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact, six passenger automobile produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1960–1969 model years. The Corvair's innovative flat-6 engine left room for the spare tire, creating even more room in the forward trunk. A. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvair B. http://www.timelessrides.com/wiki/chevrolet/corvair

Created by General Motors styling chief Bill Mitchell Corvette Stingray 1963-1967 Created by General Motors styling chief Bill Mitchell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette#C2_Generation_.281963.E2.80.931967.29

How Much Was That? Journey #6: A. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60scars.html B. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1960s.html http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60sfurniture.html C. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60sfood.html D.

Styles of the 60's Journey #7: The 1960s featured a number of diverse trends. It was a decade that broke many fashion traditions, mirroring social movements during the period. In the middle of the decade, culottes, capris, mod dresses and go-go boots were in style.

Blues, greens, and shimmery eye shadows were popular; false eyelashes were used, and hairstyles were a variety of lengths and styles. While focusing on colors and tones, accessories were less of an importance during the sixties. People were dressing in psychedelic prints, highlighter colors, and mismatched patterns. The hippie movement late in the decade also exerted a strong influence on ladies' clothing styles, including bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye, and batik fabrics, as well as paisley prints. In the early sixties for young men suits worn with narrow pants, narrow lapels and a thin tie were the in fashion.

Eyes were lined with black, shadowed with frosty white, and topped off with a full set of false eyelashes. Lips were painted light to white. Twiggy was the top model. Dubbed "The Face of 1966" Twiggy dominated fashion photography. She was on the cover of every major fashion and teen magazine. Her boyish look was the one to copy. Young Leslie Hornsby was teased as a child about being skinny - thin as a twig, they said. Thus the name, Twiggy.

Everything seemed to go Everything seemed to go. The length of skirts/dresses might be mini, micro-mini, midi, or maxi. Even mixing these lengths was fashionable; a mini skirt with a maxi coat or vest. Maxi coats and sweater coats were really practical in cold climates for the mini skirt wearer. Maxi coat with a mini skirt.

The Baby Boomer generation, infants born immediately after WWII ended in 1945, were maturing. By 1960 teenagers were a powerful group. In the United States, fully one-half of the population was under 25. This enormous group of energetic young people also had their own minds for fashion and were not going to be dictated to by anyone.

Since there was such a great number of young people, the 1960’s catered to the youth both in advertising and production in the clothing industry. Teenagers had money to spend (3.5 billion on clothes in 1965,) and enjoyed keeping up with the latest trends. During these years two sets of fashion developed side by side: fashion for the young and fashion for the rest of society (adults). Fashion for the rest of the society. Fashion for the young.

Pants, Shorts, Culottes: Early 1960’s (1960-1964) It cannot be repeated enough. Pants were worn for only the most casual activity. And never ever worn to school. They were not worn in the work place yet either. 1963 Cotton Knits. Left - Jester shirt with whimsical notched hem. $2.83 Capri pants with a lean, lanky fit. Completely lined with cotton. $3.77 Right - Mandarin look pullover with solid color accents. $2.83 Cabin boy pants flattering knee-high length. Cotton lines. $3.77 1960 2 piece set. Pop top. Mid-calf pants in all cotton sharkskin. $4.97

Both the pairs of long pants pictured here were considered capri length, which tended to be longer than the capri pants worn today. 1963 Cotton Double Knits Left - Hip belted over blouse. $3.77 Walking shorts. Cotton lining, side zipper. $3.77 Right - V-neck pullover with striped rib-knit trim. $3.77 Capri pants tailored for sleek fit. Fully lined. Side zipper. $5.77 1960 Over blouse in waffle weave cotton knit. $4.88 Capris - Knit-effect woven cotton. Trim 'n tapered. High-rise waist. $5.97

The short set at left is very typical of what most women would have worn. Madras was all the rage, and the length of the short would have been considered "respectable." At right, note that the short shorts are covered by a skirt. Again, a lady doesn't show too much leg! 1960 2 piece set. Playsuit with its own button skirt in all cotton polka dot print. $4.44 1960 Shirt - Madras type plaid pullover Wash 'n Wear 100% cotton. $2.98 Walking shorts - Dan River 100% cotton fine rib cord. $3.88

Culottes were another staple of 1960s fashions Culottes were another staple of 1960s fashions. They came as dresses, shorts, skirts. These were not allowed at school but if they looked enough like a skirt then you usually got away with it. 1963 Medallion print culotte, step-in style. Smooth percale. $3.84 1961 Pop top. All cotton sheen gabardine. Back button close. $2.87 Culotte of all cotton sheen gabardine. 2 pockets. $4.47 Coolie hat $2.39

Pants, Shorts, Culottes: Mid-Late 1960’s (1965-1969) At last the swinging sixties found its groove. Everything including pants got groovy in the late 1960s including such styles as bell bottoms and hip huggers. Teens embraced the new styles. Even women were sporting wider leg pants and lower waistlines. However, women wore dresses far more often than pants, which were still considered casual clothing. The outfit at left retains the feminine touch in the blouse, while the pants scream Sixties. And what fun is the piece to the right? You could buy the dress alone or the dress with the pants. 1969 Pants - A bold print in cotton $5.97 Shirt goes to a billowy full long sleeve with button cuffs in crisp polyester and cotton. Shadow striped, semi-sheer and with ruffle front. $4.97 1969 Paisley ensemble with a dashing romantic look. Button front dress has a shapely Edwardian collar, long slim sleeves, 3" hem. Tapered bell bottom pants have a back zipper. Dress alone $7.66 Dress and pants $10.66

Flower power. Flower fabrics abounded Flower power! Flower fabrics abounded. At left, a traditionally cut pair of slacks made, well, louder, by an abundance of flowers. Note the wide collar. It's a late 1960s style. The pair at right reflects the fascination with the bolero jacket and the gaucho look. Again, the bell bottom pants. 1969 Pants left - Daises go big, go bold in a dramatic, a real eye catcher of a print. $10.99 Pants right - Solid color linen-look takes a neat turn in crisp rayon and cotton. $13.99 Shirt left- Oh those ruffles! Delightfully done up in smooth Arnel triacetate crepe. $5.99 Shirt right - The big collar, long pointed and looking greatest in lightly textured acetate crepe. $6.99 1969 Wide leg pants. Bold flower print makes a big impression every time. A fresh new flare for wide legged pants. $6.66

They were called hostess pajamas or culottes They were called hostess pajamas or culottes. Considered the ideal outfit for entertaining, they were usually loose, flowing, gown type outfits. 1968 Lavishly colored full-legged culotte lets you entertain or lounge in style. Luxurious rayon and cotton soften fabric, gives off a soft glow and is so soft to the touch. Fitted bodice and scooped neckline for a flattering look. Shirred waist gives an added flare to the culotte as it flows to the floor. $7.94

The Mini Skirt: the Fashion Phenomenon of the 1960s. Some controversy surrounds who invented the miniskirt, but Andre Courreges usually gets the credit. Yet it was Mary Quant who popularized the swinging Sixties look and edged the miniskirt to mainstream. Miniskirt lengths tended to vary by continent. In America the more conservative 4-5 inches above the knee reigned but in London, 7-8 inches or more was considered hip. Mary Quant opened a boutique named Bazaar in London back in 1955. In the 60’s her miniskirts and colored tights challenged the fashion world to move in a new direction. By entering into an agreement with J.C. Penney's to do four collections a year, she made ‘mod’ (modern) fashions affordable and available to the public. From London, the mod look spread around the world's fashion centers. Mary Quant having her hair done by stylist Vidal Sassoon, who originated her hairdo, known as the bob, a short, angular hairstyle cut on a horizontal plane.

60’s British Invasion: the ‘Mod (Modern) Look’ Another memorable fashion style of this era was the “Mod Look” brought to the United States by the Beatles and other musical groups. It was called the “British invasion” but it wasn’t a reference to the military, but rather an invasion of American culture by the British style. The music, fashion, hairstyles, and make-up, to name a few were transferred across the Atlantic and took the 60’s by storm.

Hair Styles Flip Pixie Beehive Below are some more popular hairstyles from the 60s. The flip was a classic 60s look that remained 'in' for most of the decade. The beehive was popular in the early to mid 60s. The pixie was a short hairstyle, which was popular in the mid 60s, before long hair came back in the hippy era. Flip Pixie Beehive

An example of longer collars (and hair) Men’s Fashions 1960s fashion for men was not as revolutionary as it was for women but there was a lot of change. By the mid-late 60’s ties, belts and lapels got wider, collars got longer and wider and a modified version of the bell bottom called "flared" became popular. The conservative men's suit took on some geometric design along with the flare in the pants leg and wider lapels. Sport shirts were the norm for causal wear with the polo style being the most popular. An example of longer collars (and hair)

Men were not immune from the British invasion however and some very Mod influences managed to creep into what was once the ultra conservative men's business attire. Patterns grew bolder as did color choices. No longer were blue, black or grey the only suit choices. Ties and shirts became more colorful as well. ‘Mod’ suit Conservative men's suits.

Mod wasn't the only influence on men's styles, the anti-establishment hippie movement was bringing with it an "anything goes" philosophy that allowed for greater choice in clothing. Vests were worn without the suit, men were wearing sports jackets with slacks (instead of a suit), and suits with no tie, not to mention all kinds of mix matched patterns and colors.

Greaser Style Their name came from their greased back hair, which involved combing back hair with wax, gel, creams, tonics or pomade. Other popular greases used were olive oil or petroleum jelly. Simple in its look, greaser fashion consisted of: Levi denim jackets or leather motorcycle jackets, a simple white or black T-shirt, the classic Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars basketball shoe or motorcycle boots, and chain wallets. pompadour