How to Live Like It's 1967: A Detailed Guide for Men

Want to immerse yourself in the spirit of 1967 and live like a man of that era? This guide covers everything from lifestyle and fashion to the media and entertainment of the time, helping you experience the year as authentically as possible.

Lifestyle and Social Environment

1967 was a diverse and transformative year marking the Summer of Love and the height of counterculture, but many men also embraced classic, conservative styles depending on their background and location. Think a mixture of youthful rebellion and traditional values.

Clothing Styles

• Casual Wear: Men’s clothing of 1967 often included slim-fit suits, narrow lapels, and thin ties for formal occasions. For casual wear, think button-down shirts in bold colors or plaids, turtlenecks, and cardigans.
• Jeans and Pants: Straight-legged jeans or corduroy pants were popular among the younger crowd. Bell-bottoms were just starting to emerge but weren’t yet widespread.
• Footwear: Classic leather dress shoes like Oxfords for formal settings and loafers or desert boots for casual wear.
• Accessories: Men often wore fedora hats or newsboy caps. Sunglasses with round or square frames were stylish.

Music and Formats

1967 was a pivotal year in music, especially rock, folk, and psychedelic genres.

• Popular Artists: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding.
• Music Formats: Vinyl records (especially 45s and LPs) were the dominant format. Reel-to-reel tape decks and 8-track tapes were popular alternatives in some households and cars.
• Listening Devices: Turntables for home use, portable transistor radios, and hi-fi systems.

Television

• Popular Shows: "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Star Trek," "Mission: Impossible," and variety shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show."
• Technology: Black and white TVs were common but color television was rapidly spreading. Most sets had a limited number of channels (usually 3-4).
• Viewing Habits: Many families gathered in the living room for evening primetime shows or significant broadcasts like the Apollo space missions.

Food

• Typical Meals: Meatloaf, casseroles, pot roast, TV dinners, and comfort food staples.
• Snacks: Jello, deviled eggs, and ambrosia salad were common party staples.
• Beverages: Coca-Cola was ubiquitous, and beer was popular among men in social settings.

Radio

AM radio dominated, with Top 40 formats playing the hits of the day. News bulletins, music, and talk shows filled the airwaves. FM radio was rising but not yet dominant.

Books

Many men read popular fiction and emerging counterculture literature. Authors like Ken Kesey ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") and Joseph Heller ("Catch-22") were influential. Magazines like "Playboy" also gained popularity among men.

Pets

Dogs and cats were common household pets, with breeds like Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Siamese cats popular choices. Fish tanks with tropical fish had become trendy in some homes.

Newspapers and Magazines

• Daily newspapers were a primary news source, with headlines prominently covering the Vietnam War, space race, and civil rights movements.
• Magazines such as "Life," "Time," and "Look" were widely read.

Cigarette Brands

Smoking was socially acceptable and widespread in 1967. Popular cigarette brands for men included:

• Marlboro (became increasingly popular with their "Marlboro Man" campaign)
• Winston
• Camel
• Lucky Strike
• Kool (menthol cigarettes)

Putting It All Together

To live like it’s 1967, dress in period-appropriate clothing, embrace the popular music on vinyl, watch classic TV shows, eat traditional American meals, and listen to AM radio or play your records on a turntable. Read periodicals and books published around that time, smoke the popular cigarette brands if you wish to be authentic (noting health risks today), and enjoy the company of classic pets.

This lifestyle celebrates a unique time of social change mixed with traditional values, providing both nostalgia and insight into a fascinating year.