Popular Trends From The Swinging ’60s That are Incredibly Strange

The Swinging ’60s were a revolutionary time for music, fashion, and culture. But what most people don’t know is that many of the popular trends from this era were incredibly strange! From the strange pastimes that defined the decade to the even stranger fashion trends, the ’60s was a time of unparalleled creativity and unique expression. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the weirdest and most bizarre popular trends from the Swinging ’60s that you won’t believe!

The Go-go Boot:

The go-go boot was one of the most popular trends of the swinging ’60s. This style of boot was incredibly strange compared to traditional footwear, featuring a low heel, usually between 1 and 2 inches, and a wide calf that fit snugly around the leg. The upper portion of the boot was often made of either vinyl or patent leather, which gave it a glossy finish. Go-go boots were often seen in white or black, but they also came in bold colors like red, yellow, and green.

These boots were worn by everyone from teenagers on their way to school to celebrities like Twiggy, who famously rocked them in the 1967 film The Boyfriend. Go-go boots remained popular throughout the decade and were often paired with mini skirts or short dresses to create a fashionable, modern look. Today, these retro boots are still worn by fashionistas as a statement piece.

Mood Rings:

Mood rings are one of the most peculiar and fun trends from the 1960s. These unique rings contained a dark liquid, usually composed of thermotropic liquid crystals, which changed colors according to your body temperature. It was believed that the color change revealed your emotional state.

The idea of mood rings originated from New York City in 1975. They were created by two friends, Josh Reynolds and Maris Ambats. The two wanted to create a way to express their feelings without words, so they created this unique ring. 

The colors that you would find in a mood ring ranged from blue (calm) to green (anxious) to yellow (happy). Depending on the colors you could determine your emotional state, allowing people to communicate non-verbally with each other.

The craze quickly caught on in the 1960s and it wasn’t just young people who got into it. Adults were also wearing them and seeing what colors the ring would change too. Unfortunately, the trend started to die down in the late 1970s, but it still lives on in the memories of those who experienced it. 

If you ever get a chance to try a mood ring, go for it! It is a truly unique experience that can help you discover more about your emotions and how to better express them.

Love Beads:

Love beads were one of the most popular fashion trends of the swinging ’60s. They became especially popular in the psychedelic and hippie counterculture. Love beads were usually worn as a necklace, bracelet or anklet and could be made from various materials including beads, feathers, stones, shells, coins, and more. The colors and materials used for the beads had spiritual meanings and convey different messages. For example, blue was said to signify harmony and pink symbolizes love. The practice of wearing love beads was often accompanied by chanting mantras or meditating to achieve a higher level of consciousness. As such, it was associated with the New Age movement that originated in the ’60s. Although love beads have gone out of fashion, they remain a reminder of the era’s commitment to creating a more enlightened and loving world.

Pop Art:

Pop art was a revolutionary art movement that began in the 1950s and reached its peak during the 1960s. Pop art was an offshoot of the popular culture of the time, taking images and ideas from mass media and consumerism to create art that was fresh and distinct. Its aim was to capture the “American way of life” and make it a part of the art world.

The most iconic pop artists included Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann, James Rosenquist, and Claes Oldenburg. These artists made use of techniques such as collage, silk-screening, and photography to make artwork that used everyday objects, images from popular culture, and bright colors to create art that was captivating, eye-catching, and often humorous. 

Pop art was incredibly influential on the art world, paving the way for other movements such as postmodernism and minimalism. It also had a major influence on fashion and design. Pop art embraced a more vibrant and colorful approach to style, which was reflected in everything from clothing and furniture to interior design. The style has remained popular even today, and its influence can be seen in many aspects of popular culture.

Psychedelic Music:

The psychedelic music of the 1960s was one of the defining characteristics of the decade. It was a form of rock music that was heavily influenced by jazz and blues, with an emphasis on exploring the subconscious mind. Psychedelic music often used abstract sounds and images, along with trippy effects such as echo, phasing, and reverb. The aim of this genre of music was to create an altered state of consciousness in the listener. Bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, and The Grateful Dead were some of the most famous acts associated with the genre. Psychedelic music is still popular today, with many current artists taking inspiration from it.