Living Like It's 1967: A Year-by-Year Guide for Men
1967 was a vibrant year marked by cultural revolutions, colorful fashion, groundbreaking music, and distinct lifestyle choices. To truly live like a man in 1967, let's explore the key aspects step-by-step.
1. Clothing Styles of 1967
- Casual Wear: Men often wore slim-fit suits with narrow lapels and skinny ties. Bright colors and psychedelic patterns were gaining popularity, especially in hip circles influenced by the counterculture.
- Trousers and Shirts: Bell-bottom trousers and brightly colored or patterned shirts were trendy. Polo shirts and turtlenecks were also widely favored.
- Outerwear: Madras jackets or military-inspired coats became fashionable.
- Footwear: Chelsea boots or classic leather loafers were common.
- Accessories: Round or square-frame glasses, skinny ties, and occasionally a fedora or floppy hats.
2. Lifestyle
- Social Life: Hanging out at local cafes, record shops, and attending live music events. The rise of hippie culture encouraged a laid-back and communal approach to life.
- Transportation: Many men drove classic cars from the early to mid-60s, like the Ford Mustang or Volkswagen Beetle.
- Work and Leisure: Traditional 9-5 jobs were common, but the younger generation began exploring alternative lifestyles.
3. Music and Its Formats
- Popular Genres: Rock, psychedelic rock, folk, and emerging hard rock bands.
- Artists To Listen To: The Beatles (notably the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" released in 1967), Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones.
- Formats:
- Vinyl Records (LPs and 45 RPM singles): The primary way to enjoy music at home.
- Radio Broadcasts: AM and FM radio were popular sources for new music.
- 8-Track Tapes: Starting to be introduced in 1967 but still not mainstream.
4. Television
- Popular TV Shows: "The Twilight Zone," "Star Trek" (debuting in 1966), "Bonanza," and variety shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show."
- Technology: Television sets were predominantly black and white, though some color TVs were emerging.
- Viewing Habits: Families gathered for evening programming; TV was the main source for news and entertainment.
5. Food
- Typical Dishes: Classic American meals such as meatloaf, roast beef, casseroles, and pot roasts.
- Trendy Foods: Fondue was becoming popular for entertaining.
- Fast Food: McDonald's and other fast-food restaurants were expanding rapidly.
6. Radio
- Radio was a dominant medium for entertainment and news. Both AM and FM stations offered music, talk shows, and commercials.
- Disc jockeys (DJs) played a significant role in popularizing new music trends.
7. Books
- 1967 literature leaned toward the Beat Generation and emerging counterculture authors such as Ken Kesey and Tom Wolfe.
- Magazines like "Playboy" and "Life" were popular among men.
8. Pets
- Dogs and cats were common household pets.
- Pet care was relatively straightforward with a focus on companionship rather than specialized treatments.
9. Newspapers
- Daily newspapers were the prime source of news alongside radio and TV.
- Major newspapers included "The New York Times," "The Washington Post," and local papers for regional news.
10. Cigarette Brands
- Smoking was socially acceptable and widespread among men.
- Popular brands included Marlboro, Camel, Lucky Strike, and Viceroy.
- Advertisements portrayed smoking as stylish and masculine.
Summary
To immerse yourself in 1967, dress in sharp slim-cut suits or psychedelic patterns, indulge in vinyl records featuring the biggest rock and folk acts, enjoy black-and-white TV classics, savor hearty American meals, read Beat literature, stay updated with newspapers and radio, smoke iconic cigarette brands, and embrace the cultural changes that defined this iconic year.