The 1960s were a vibrant era filled with daring fashion choices and cultural changes that seemed amazing at the time. From this era, some trends became enduring classics while others were quite cringeworthy, to say the lease. Today, we take a light-hearted look at certain fashion trends from the ’60s that many modern humans won’t particularly love.
Paper Dresses
Unless you were around at the time, you might find it hard to believe that disposable paper dresses were popular in the ‘60s, marketed as a cheap and fun alternative to traditional clothing. While novel, they were totally impractical and flimsy, tearing easily and lacking durability. Today, the idea of throwaway fashion is seen as environmentally irresponsible, so the kids would see them as ‘cringe.’
Bell-Bottoms
The knee-down wide flares of bell-bottom pants were a huge staple of 60s fashion, and both men and women loved them. Somehow, they’ve actually clung on to the occasional comeback, but in general, most people consider their extreme flares to feel exaggerated and impractical, especially compared to the more streamlined pant styles of later decades.
Tie-Dye
Everyone loved tie-dye in the ‘60s, partially because everyone could enjoy the fun without spending much money. Its vibrant, splotchy patterns were everywhere, rapidly becoming a symbol of the counterculture movement. It’s certainly a fashion that has stuck around to a certain extent, but it’s often associated with young kids trying to be ‘psychedelic,’ with most young people finding it cringeworthy.
Go-Go Boots
As Groovy History remembers, go-go boots, often knee-high and made of shiny vinyl, were all the rage as part of the ‘60s mod fashion scene. However, we have to look back and wonder how considering that their stiff material and clunky look make them look ridiculous today. They’re more of a costume piece than a fashion statement now, albeit a rather cringeworthy one.
Psychedelic Patterns
Due to the psychedelia of the ‘60s, loud, swirling psychedelic patterns in vibrant colors were immensely popular at the time. These bold prints were undeniably eye-catching but also overwhelming. Today, such patterns can feel chaotic and visually jarring, clashing with everything and making them a far cry from the more timeless styles that eventually followed.
Nehru Jackets
Inspired by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, collarless Nehru jackets became very popular in the late 60s. Though they symbolized a cultural appreciation, their stiff, boxy silhouette and unconventional design hasn’t aged well at all. In fact, in mainstream fashion, they look pretty ridiculous.
Granny Dresses
One of the most bizarre fashion trends from the ‘60s was no doubt granny dresses, which were exactly what they sounded like; long, loose-fitting dresses with high necklines and floral prints. They literally looked like something your grandma would wear, even though they were aiming for a bohemian look, which makes them particularly embarrassing to look back on.
Plastic Raincoats
Just one step up from paper dresses were transparent plastic raincoats, which, for some reason, became trendy in the ‘60s. We thought they were kind of futuristic, but looking back, they were just embarrassing. They were impractical, uncomfortable, and non-breathable, and combined with their environmental impact, there was nothing futuristic about that.
Mutton Chop Sideburns
Nothing makes us cringe more than looking back at mutton chop sideburns, thick and extending down to the jawline. For some gross reason, these were all the rage in the ‘60s, but looking back at the photos, we all looked completely unruly and exaggerated, like cartoon characters. We wish we could take back our decisions to wear them, but what’s done is done.
Micro-Minis
Ladies loved pushing the boundaries of hemline lengths in the ‘60s with micro-minis, but in hindsight, they were way too much. They were certainly a bold statement of liberation, but their impracticality and often uncomfortable fit make them less appealing today. Modern styles tend to favor slightly longer, more versatile lengths instead of these embarrassing relics.
Bright Tights
Worn under skirts and dresses, brightly colored tights were a staple of 60s fashion. While they certainly added a pop of color, they often clashed with outfits and could look quite childish. Today, more neutral tones are preferred for a sophisticated look, and bright tights would just be considered to be cringeworthy.
Matching Pantsuits
Kids of today would be shocked to see how ‘60s women loved to wear matching pantsuits in bold colors or patterns, aiming to make a statement to the world of fashion. Unfortunately, this generally resulted in a rigid, uniform look, of which the lack of variation and sometimes garish designs make them even less desirable in contemporary wardrobes. What were we thinking?
Vinyl Clothing
Clothing made from shiny vinyl was a futuristic trend in the 1960s, but thankfully, it didn’t last long. They were so uncomfortable and would make even the coolest dudes sweat profusely, making them completely impractical. Let’s be honest—they looked ridiculous, too, so overall, vinyl clothing was cringeworthy and does not need a comeback.
Bouffant Hairstyles
The things we did with our hair in the ‘60s make us cringe today, and the bouffant hairstyle is a prime example of this, characterized by its voluminous, teased height. Only the excessive use of hairspray and time made this cut possible, so when we look back on all this effort compared to how ridiculous it looked, it really does make us cringe in hindsight.
Bold Eye Makeup
Heavy eyeliner and dramatic eyeshadow in bold colors were key elements of ’60s makeup, and we thought it was so glamorous at the time. While they were certainly striking, the heavy-handed application could look cringe-worthy, overdone, and theatrical by today’s standards, where more natural makeup styles are often favored.
Large Lapels
In the ‘60s, men’s jackets and shirts with excessively large lapels were popular for some reason, appearing completely disproportionate and dated compared to the sleeker, more fitted styles seen in modern menswear. Sometimes, we accidentally catch a glimpse of clothes like this and have to wonder what on Earth was going through our minds.
Pillbox Hats
Popularized by Jackie Kennedy, pillbox hats were a chic accessory in the 60s, but we look back on them with immense embarrassment. Their rigid shape and limited versatility have made them far less common in contemporary fashion, almost non-existent, leaving them far more suited to vintage or costume wear.