1960's Fashion
1960's Fashion.mp4Fashion in the 1960's
Fashion in the 1960's followed the same path that much of Pop and American culture followed during this time. Fashion was all over the place in the 1960's starting with the continuation of the trends of the 1950s and leading into a style made famous by the Hippie movement of the 1960's and 1970's. The United States went from neatly pressed suits, well groomed hair and throughout makeup to an era of self and organic expression moving away from traditional looks and embracing self expression.
Also during this time of consumerism and an era of "new" another form of credit emerged that was for the average American. Bank of America begins issuing credit cards that can be used at retailers across the country and allow users to repay their balance in installments, allowing American consumers to access greater buying power as material goods become increasingly important.
Tasks
Task 1: Watch the Introductory Video to this Unit (5 minutes)
Task 2: Review the provided images and attached links for fashion during the 1960's (10 minutes)
Task 4: Using the links and information provided along with your own independent investigation to review - the rise in credit usage in the United States and it's Influence on American culture (15 minutes)
Men's Fashion
1960s men’s clothing changed from the conservative-yet-relaxed 1950s fashion into far more simplified clothing. Casual was in, formality was out. By the mid ’60s, men’s fashion took a sharp turn and flew across the pond to the Mod style worn by British musicians. The Beatles, beatniks, and Steve McQueen were fashion idols for a few years until the late 60s hippie movement brought out anti-fashion bell bottom pants, crazy shirts, platform shoes, and polyester everything. (https://vintagedancer.com/1960s/1960s-mens-clothing/ )
Women's Fashion
Most mainstream fashion today is also heavily inspired by the 1960s. Knee length swing dresses, shift dresses, Mod colorblock dresses, wiggle dresses, mini skirts, crop pants and flare jeans are ’60s trends that are back in style for women. For men, it’s the skinny suits and ties, stingy brim hats, and monk strap shoes that create the hipster look. (https://vintagedancer.com/1960s/ )
Rise of Credit in the United States
Americans had more discretionary income, and they spent it on cars, homes, television sets, and an array of other household appliances. By 1960, more than 60 percent of Americans owned their own homes, and three quarters of the households in the country had television sets. Much of this consumer spending was done on credit, with bank loans, installment buying, and credit cards (which were introduced in 1950). (https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/history/us-history-ii/america-in-the-fifties/the-affluent-society )
Birth of Credit Cards
The first universal credit card, which could be used at a variety of establishments, was introduced by the Diners’ Club, Inc., in 1950. Another major card of this type, known as a travel and entertainment card, was established by the American Express Company in 1958. Under this system, the credit card company charges its cardholders an annual fee and bills them on a periodic basis—usually monthly. Cooperating merchants throughout the world pay a service charge to the credit card issuer in the range of 4–7 percent of total billings.
A later innovation was the bank credit card system, in which the bank credits the account of the merchant as sales slips are received and assembles the charges to be billed at the end of the period to the cardholder, who pays the bank either in total or in monthly installments with interest or “carrying charges” added. The first national plan was BankAmericard, begun on a statewide basis by the Bank of America in California in 1958, licensed in other states beginning in 1966, and renamed VISA in 1976–77. Many banks that began credit card plans on a citywide or regional basis eventually affiliated with major national bank plans as the range of included services (meals and lodging as well as store purchases) expanded. This development changed the nature of personal credit, which was no longer limited by location. The growing reach of credit networks allowed a person to make credit card purchases on a national and, eventually, international scale. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/credit-card )