Baby Boomer Style: A Journey Through Decades of Fashion Innovation
Fashion evolves with the times we live in, and style is the unique way each of us chooses to present ourselves to the world. That said, we believe that between the advent of the turbulent 1960s and the 1980s Baby Boomers transformed fashion as they began to question the status quo and demand change.
We quickly see this in fashion, with the adoption/development of at least three different trends that probably all developed in London. Remember that was the time of London’s Carnaby Street fashion designers with their Mod Look, who, along with the rise of one of the world’s first super models, Lesley Lawson — more popularly known as Twiggy — caused us teen magazine-reading US Boomer girls to excitedly adopt the exciting – actually daring — new British fashion just as we had already adopted their music. (Remember the term “British Invasion?”)
We Boomer girls were excited to ditch our 50s era fashion of voluminous (Poodle) skirts, bobbie sox, and loafers or saddle shoes worn with short, curly hair. Instead, like the song said, we went all-in for straight hair – whether worn long and center-parted like Cher or chopped short into a Twiggy-esque pixie cut. (Twiggy’s British “look” also brought us extremely bold and colorful eye makeup, and the adoption of her waif-like androgynous look, which we now know led many a young teen girl to anorexia, starving herself in order to “look good.”
Fashion boots, as well as earth shoes, sandals, and platform shoes also showed up around this time. With the adoption of boots as a fashion statement (with knee high and thigh high boots worn INDOORS to compliment an ensemble), boots were no longer just protective footwear to be worn outdoors for hiking or mountain climbing – or during inclement weather.
To the other fashion extreme, the anti-war feelings of the late 60s and 70s heralded the advent of what was known as “hippie” fashion, which probably grew out of San Francisco’s counterculture, as well as the popularity of Woodstock and “flower children.”
For women, the fashion involved the braless look, jeans, recycled clothing including the wearing of military surplus coats, bellbottoms, and shirts.
All accessorized with headscarves, and headbands, as well as dresses, blouses, trousers — even jewelry — which were influenced by ethnic styles coming from Africa and Asia.
Who among us Boomers – man or woman – did not once own Love beads, or a tie-dyed T-shirt? Not to mention wearing clothing in bright, happy colors? (To this day, one of our cofounders cannot believe he happily wore orange jeans in junior high.)
A love for unique clothing also meant both men’s and women’s styles incorporated beaded necklaces, beaded moccasins, feathers and leather fashions borrowed from Native American clothing styles.
The men’s styles included the Growth of head and facial hair, patchwork fabric and hand tooled leather applied to anything, including jeans and jackets, not to mention colorful Mexican serapes, and South American ponchos, as well as fringed jackets and moccasins, long loose Indian caftans, African dashikis, and anything in psychedelic colors.
Hippie culture was not only about peace and love, but also about a preference for handcrafting over machine production, and an interest in world cultures along with the rejection of American values and the cultural imperialism that led us to involve our country in the Viet Nam war.
Additionally, the hippie movement was about sustainability and eco-friendliness, as many young Boomers had already become worried about how industrialization was affecting the environment. Hippies also adopted a DIY mentality, recycling rather than purchasing new.
So with that quick review of our early efforts with fashion and style, let’s look at what is going on now…
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Adaptive clothing has transformed how millions of people get dressed every day. Whether you're recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, or caring for an aging parent, adaptive apparel offers practical solutions that make dressing easier, more comfortable, and more dignified.
This guide covers…
Adaptive clothing has transformed how millions of people get dressed every day. Whether you're recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, or caring for an aging parent, adaptive apparel offers pr…
Adaptive clothing has transformed how millions of people get dressed every day. Whether you're recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, or caring for an aging parent, adaptive apparel offers practical solutions that make dressing easier, more comfortable, and more dignified.
This guide covers everything you need to know about adaptive clothing: what it is, who benefits from it, and how to choose the right options for your needs. And we'll share our unique insights that we've learned here at Joe & Bella from talking to our customers.
What is Adaptive Clothing?
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For this month’s Where Bloggers Live prompt, we’re sharing some of the things in our homes that help us get through the day. While I could talk about my bed, my closet, or even my husband, there�…
For this month’s Where Bloggers Live prompt, we’re sharing some of the things in our homes that help us get through the day. While I could talk about my bed, my closet, or even my husband, there’s one item that I honestly rely on more than almost anything else: my phone.
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Taylor Swift has always mastered the art of creating unforgettable moments, and her wedding has become one of the biggest entertainment stories in recent memory.In this episode, Diane Gilman explores …
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If there’s one style question we hear over and over, it’s how to feel comfortable in the summer without wearing tops that cling to the tummy area. Thus came the idea to style A Line tops.
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My emails are my way of sharing fun, positive content with you from all the sites I visit during the week. Sure, you also get my free eBook when you sign…
I was thinking of wearing red, white, and blue all week for the upcoming holiday. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s the thought that counts.
My emails are my way of sharing fun, positive content…
I was thinking of wearing red, white, and blue all week for the upcoming holiday. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s the thought that counts.
My emails are my way of sharing fun, positive content with you from all the sites I visit during the week. Sure, you also get my free eBook when you sign up, but that’s not the best part.The best part is you get a daily dose of positive energy.
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Celebrity weddings have evolved into cultural events that capture global attention, spark endless speculation, and generate headlines long before a couple ever walks down the aisle.In this episode, Di…
Celebrity weddings have evolved into cultural events that capture global attention, spark endless speculation, and generate headlines long before a couple ever walks down the aisle.In this episode, Diane Gilman takes a closer look at the world of celebrity weddings, examining the glamour, strategy, and staggering logistics behind these highly publicized celebrations. From venue selection and guest lists to media attention and public perception, Diane explores why celebrity weddings have become entertainment events in their own right.The conversation turns to the ongoing speculation surrounding…
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Quote of the day: “Your speed doesn’t matter as long as you are m…
I’m seeing more and more red pants in stores and on those who discuss trends. But I know the question comes up about what to wear with red pants. They make a statement, and that’s exactly why they…
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Quote of the day: “Your speed doesn’t matter as long as you are moving forward.” Unknown
While I would normally say that you can pair almost anything with red pants, I thought I’d take a page from my color recipe and give you 2 easy options.
Start with neutrals as a beginning option.
Then get a bit bolder with other colors.
Today, my mom and I a…
Rayson Choo
July 10, 2026
Stacey Chillemi 
Joan Michelson 