Living Like It's 1967: A Detailed Guide for Men
1. Clothing Styles of 1967
Men's fashion in 1967 was diverse, embracing both mod and psychedelic styles. Key pieces included:
- Suits: Slim-fitting, narrow lapels; typically in dark colors like navy or charcoal. Wool or tweed fabrics were common.
- Casual wear: Button-down shirts, often with geometric or floral patterns. Turtlenecks were popular under blazers.
- Jeans and trousers: Bell-bottoms started gaining popularity, alongside straight-leg jeans. Chinos were versatile casual wear.
- Outerwear: Parkas and pea coats were common. Leather jackets for a rebellious edge.
- Accessories: Thin ties, skinny scarves, and round sunglasses (John Lennon style). Shoes included Chelsea boots, loafers, and brogues.
2. Lifestyle
Living in 1967 meant embracing social change, counterculture trends, and simpler technology:
- Social norms: Casual socializing at coffee houses or pubs. Respectful but less formal interactions than earlier decades.
- Transportation: Many men drove cars like the Ford Mustang or Volkswagen Beetle. Bicycles were also common city transport.
- Communication: Rely on rotary dial phones to call friends and family. Letters and postcards were popular means to stay in touch.
3. Music and Listening Formats
1967 was the Summer of Love, and music was central to life:
- Genres: Rock, folk, psychedelic, and Motown. Bands like The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones dominated.
- Formats: Vinyl records (LPs and singles) were the primary medium for music. Record players or turntables were common in homes.
8-track tapes were emerging in cars but less widespread than vinyl.
4. Television
TV was black-and-white or early color sets. Popular shows included:
- The Andy Griffith Show
- Star Trek (original series debut in 1966)
- Batman (1966-1968)
- News programs: Evening news was a key source of information.
5. Food
Meals tended to be straightforward:
- Traditional meat-and-potatoes dinners.
- Comfort foods like casseroles, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes.
- Fast food was emerging; McDonald's and burger joints were growing popular.
- Beverages: Soda pop like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
Coffee was commonly brewed in drip coffee makers.
6. Radio
Radio was influential, with AM stations playing Top 40 hits or talk shows. FM radio was growing, especially for album-oriented rock and stereo sound.
7. Books
Popular literature included:
- Classic authors like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- Contemporary fiction with counterculture themes, such as works by Ken Kesey or Hunter S. Thompson (early works emerging).
- Magazines like Time, Life, and Playboy (launched earlier but popular in the 60s).
8. Pets
Dogs and cats were common household pets. Popular dog breeds included Cocker Spaniels and Beagles. Pet care was simpler with fewer specialized products.
9. Newspapers
Newspapers were a primary source of daily news; metropolitan dailies and local papers were regularly read with printed black-and-white or spot color.
10. Cigarette Brands
Smoking was socially accepted and common, with popular brands like:
- Marlboro - known for its cowboy advertising.
- Luckies (Lucky Strike)
- Camels
- Chesterfield
Note: Smoking was not yet widely recognized as a health hazard in 1967.
Summary
To truly live like it's 1967, embrace the fashion of the era with slim suits or mod casual wear, enjoy vinyl records at home, watch classic black-and-white TV shows, cook traditional comfort foods, and engage with traditional communication methods like rotary phones and newspapers. Absorb the cultural shifts of the Summer of Love and appreciate the simpler, analog lifestyle of the late 1960s.