16 Ridiculous 1960s Trends That Actually Happened
The 1960s sparked revolutions, rebellion, and some truly bizarre style choices. While the era delivered civil rights advances, rock legends, and lunar triumphs, it also unleashed peculiar fads that captivated the nation.
From outfits resembling extraterrestrial designs to home crazes defying logic, the 1960s were a whirlwind of flair, often prioritizing pizzazz over practicality.
Here are 16 outlandish fads that surged in popularity, and yes, they genuinely occurred.
1. Beehive Hairdos
The taller, the trendier: that defined the beehive’s allure. Ladies teased and sprayed their locks into soaring cones, boosting their stature by a foot.
Upkeep was grueling, with whispers of bugs nesting in the ‘hives. Yet, it epitomized glamour in its day.
2. Paper Dresses
Remarkably, in the mid-1960s, folks donned disposable paper dresses. Touted as modern, convenient, and futuristic, these cellulose-plastic blends were worn once and discarded.
They ripped easily, burned like kindling, and couldn’t be cleaned, yet they briefly reigned as a fleeting style sensation.
3. Inflatable Furniture
Who needs a sturdy wooden chair when you can sit on a balloon? Inflatable plastic sofas and chairs hit the market as “space-age” home decor.
Sure, they deflated constantly, squeaked every time you moved, and looked like pool toys, but in the ’60s, they were seen as cutting-edge cool.
4. Go-Go Boots
Nothing screamed mod flair like white, knee-high go-go boots. Popularized by dancers on shows like Hullabaloo, they paired with mini skirts for bold impact.
Stylish yet impractical, they made dashing for a bus a daunting feat.
5. Smoking for Weight Loss
Doctors were still casually recommending cigarettes to curb your appetite. Ads featured slim, smiling women with slogans like “Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet.”
The health risks? Barely mentioned.
6. Lava Lamps
Symbolizing the psychedelic wave, lava lamps mesmerized many 1960s households. Watching gooey blobs drift was either soothing or utterly odd.
They offered no utility, yet transformed living rooms into cosmic retreats.
7. The Twist Dance Craze
Chubby Checker’s Twist swept the nation. Folks of all ages swiveled at parties, sock hops, and barbecues.
It appeared slightly goofy, yet its partner-free freedom sparked a dance revolution.
8. Bell-Bottoms for Everyone
What started with sailors ended up on every teen in the country. Bell-bottoms flared so wide at the ankle that you could practically hide another person inside.
Walking in the rain? Good luck not soaking your entire leg.
9. Psychedelic Wallpaper
If the swirls didn’t give you a headache, the color scheme would. Psychedelic patterns plastered on walls were considered groovy home decor.
Every room looked like it had been decorated during a particularly strong acid trip.
10. Tanning with Baby Oil
Sunscreen? What’s that? In the ’60s, people would slather on baby oil and bake under the sun to achieve that deep golden tan.
Little did they know they were basically slow-roasting themselves.
11. Edible Beauty Products
Astoundingly, “tasty” lipsticks and perfumes briefly dazzled. You could smell like strawberries and taste like bubblegum, all for beauty’s sake.
The oddity of nibbling your face soon ended this fad.
12. Plastic Couch Covers
You could sit on Grandma’s fancy couch… but only if you sat on the crackling, sweaty plastic cover that protected it.
The ‘60s were obsessed with preservation, even if it meant sacrificing all comfort. Heaven forbid anyone actually enjoy the furniture.
13. Matchy-Matchy Couples Outfits
Couples dressing identically were deemed stylish, not awkward. Matching plaid suits or his-and-hers leisure sets marked romantic harmony.
Today’s tacky was then’s charming.
14. Men’s Rompers
Yes, men wore rompers in the ‘60s. Short one-piece playsuits were marketed for the beach, backyard, and casual wear.
They were called “leisurewear,” though they’re often remembered as more laughable than laid-back.
15. Fake Eyelashes That Could Sweep the Floor
Lashes were not subtle in the ‘60s. Women wore dramatic, thick, and often absurdly long false eyelashes that fluttered like bird wings.
Sometimes, they even had jewels or glitter woven in.
16. Diet Pills and “Aids” Candy
One of the darker fads was the casual use of amphetamines for weight loss. Over-the-counter diet pills promised swift results, often just legal speed.
Even stranger was the notorious “Ayds” diet candy: later withdrawn for obvious naming issues.