Introduction
Living like it's 1967 means immersing yourself in the cultural, social, and lifestyle nuances of that vibrant year. This guide will take you step-by-step through clothing styles, music, entertainment, food, and more to help you authentically recreate the 1967 atmosphere.
Lifestyle and Social Culture
1967 was the height of the counterculture movement but also maintained traditional values especially among men. Many men worked in manufacturing, business, or trades, and family life was central to many. Communication was primarily face-to-face, by mail, or via landline phones.
Physical fitness was gaining popularity but gym culture was not as widespread; instead, outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and sports were common.
Clothing Styles
Casual Wear: Men commonly wore straight-leg trousers or jeans, often cuffed. Popular shirts included button-downs, polos, and turtlenecks in solid colors or modest patterns. Sweaters and cardigans were also worn frequently.
Formal Wear: Slim-cut suits with narrow lapels were popular. Colors ranged from classic navy and grey to earth tones. Shirts typically had pointed collars, worn with skinny ties.
Outerwear: Harrington jackets, trench coats, and pea coats were staples.
Footwear: Leather dress shoes like Oxfords for formal occasions; casual shoes included loafers, brogues, and boots.
Music and Formats
1967 was a revolutionary year for music, marking the Summer of Love. Popular genres were rock, folk, and psychedelic rock.
- Artists: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan.
- Formats: Music was primarily consumed on vinyl records—12-inch LPs for albums, and 7-inch singles. AM and FM radio were important for broadcasts. Reel-to-reel tape recorders and cassette tapes were less common but existed.
Television
Television was mostly black-and-white, though color broadcasts were rising, especially on CBS and NBC.
Popular shows: The Andy Griffith Show, Star Trek (which debuted in 1966), The Twilight Zone, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Families typically gathered around bulky console TVs made of wood or plastic, often placed in the living room.
Food
Dining choices reflected mid-century American cuisine: hearty and simple.
- Meats like roast beef, fried chicken, and meatloaf were common.
- Side dishes included mashed potatoes, green beans, casseroles made with cream soup.
- Fast food chains were emerging — McDonald's and Burger King were on the rise.
- Home cooking often included TV dinners (frozen meals) for convenience.
Radio
AM radio dominated; stations played music, news, or talk shows. FM was gaining ground and favored for its stereo sound quality and music programming.
Popular radio formats included Top 40, news, and classical. Men often listened during car rides or at home on transistor radios.
Books
Popular literature included beatnik poetry, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction about social change.
Men might read authors like Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, or contemporary political books. Paperback books were widely available in drugstores and newsstands.
Pets
Dogs, especially breeds like German Shepherds, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels, were popular pets. Cats also were common. Pets were mostly kept outdoors or in modest indoor spaces.
Newspapers
Daily newspapers were a significant source of news, with men often reading the morning and evening editions. Notable papers included The New York Times, The Washington Post, and local city papers.
Physical newspapers featured stock market pages, sports sections, comics, and classified ads.
Cigarette Brands
Smoking was very common and accepted socially during this time. Popular cigarette brands included:
- Lucky Strike
- Camels
- Winston
- Chesterfield
- Parliament
Cigarettes were often smoked during social gatherings, at work breaks, or in bars and clubs.
Summary
To live like it's 1967:
- Dress in slim-fit suits or casual trousers with polos and button-down shirts.
- Listen to vinyl records and catch AM/FM radio broadcasts featuring rock and folk music.
- Watch black-and-white or emerging color TV shows on console sets with family or friends.
- Enjoy traditional American meals or fast food emerging in the decade.
- Read popular contemporary books or newspapers for news and entertainment.
- Keep pets like dogs or cats commonly seen in homes.
- Smoke popular cigarette brands as social custom and carry matches or lighters typical of the era.
Embracing these elements will authentically recreate the daily life of a man living in 1967.