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!
Journey #1:
S.E. Hinton
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/
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 were the idols of
the gang in The Outsiders
called the Socs. Use the
following web sites to answer
the questions on this band.
A.
B.
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-beatles
http://www.beatles.com/
The “Fab Four”
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:
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
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 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:
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
Corvette Stingray
1963-1967
Created by General Motors styling chief Bill Mitchell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette#C2_Generation_.281963.E2.80.931
967.29
Journey #6:
A.
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60scars.html
B.
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1960s.html
C.
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60sfurniture.html
D.
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60sfood.html
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. 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.
1960
2 piece set. Pop top.
Mid-calf pants in all
cotton sharkskin.
$4.97
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
Both the pairs of long pants pictured here were considered
capri length, which tended to be longer than the capri pants
worn today.
1960
Over blouse in waffle
weave cotton knit.
$4.88
Capris - Knit-effect
woven cotton. Trim 'n
tapered. High-rise
waist. $5.97
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
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
Shirt - Madras type plaid
pullover Wash 'n Wear
100% cotton. $2.98
Walking shorts - Dan River
100% cotton fine rib cord.
$3.88
1960
2 piece set. Playsuit
with its own button
skirt in all cotton
polka dot print. $4.44
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. 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
1969
Wide leg pants. Bold flower print
makes a big impression every time. A
fresh new flare for wide legged pants.
$6.66
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
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
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
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