It is tough to define what was going on in the late 1960s
and early 1970s. However, many could
agree that it was a wildly expansive time. What would happen on any given day
was anyone’s guess. It was prime time
for the Civil Rights Movement, experimentation with psychedelic drugs, as well
as the physical and mental expansion of the boundaries of Fine Art and Fashion.
The group 5th Dimension forewarned
everyone in their infamous song released in 1969, ‘…This is the Dawning of the
Age of Aquarius.’ People already knew
and felt that something was going on and it was a time for change. In 1967 the Beatles had beat them to
the punch with already having everyone seated and prepared for this wild ride
with the release of Magical Mystery Tour!
This Friday, February 20, the Gibbes Museum's Society 1858 (click link for tickets and details!) is similarly celebrating the
changes, expansion and renovation of the Gibbes Museum in the form of their Annual Winter
Party that will be held at the Wolfe Street Playhouse. What is the theme this year? You guessed it; Magical Mystery Tour! Here are some guidelines on what to wear for
the style trip starting in 1967 that carried us in to the early 1970s.
There were two main styles coming out of this transitional era: Preppy and hippie. Style is more than just clothes. Below both are addressed.
There were two main styles coming out of this transitional era: Preppy and hippie. Style is more than just clothes. Below both are addressed.
Bold prints, flower power, caftans, jumpsuits, mini skirts, shift dresses, both hippie and mod squad styles:
Clothing for Men
Skinny suit, skinny tie, skinny collar and/or cardigans for the more conservative gentlemen. For the more wild hippie types anything goes but the bell bottoms must be tight and preferably velvet!
Skinny suit, skinny tie, skinny collar and/or cardigans for the more conservative gentlemen. For the more wild hippie types anything goes but the bell bottoms must be tight and preferably velvet!
Accessories
Crazy sunglasses, matching tie tack and cufflinks, skinny ties that eventually
expanded in the late 1970s with the shape
of the suit, go-go boots, platforms, Mary Janes, and big belts.
Women’s Hairstyles
A head scarf (see Jackie-O). Roller set and teased hair (to include beehive-See Bridget
Bardot). Or
if you are going for that au natural hippie style; part it down the middle with
no conditioner and add flowers, feathers, braids, and/or a floppy hat.
Mens Hairstyles
Late 1960s hair took a turn for the messier and
men started to experiment with facial hair OR they just went all out (see Frank
Zappa)! 
Makeup
Big lashes, big eyeshadow, big eyeliner (to include the cat eye), muted lip. Some 'hippie chicks' wore facepaint.
