Cringeworthy Men’s Fashion Ads From the 70’s You Can Never Unsee

[CanSocDem]

45. You're lacking context.

Before these fashions the style was deliberately subdued. Haircuts were very short - even sideburns were discouraged until Elvis Presley made them acceptable. The only dress shirts available were white and all the suits were dark blue or grey.

The Beatles were a big influence but it was the completely unhinged attitude of the hippies that gave our generation its' style. They introduced 'color' into our "blues and grays", and the idea of comfort over utility in the clothes we wore. They explained how we would feel better if we dressed in less restrictive clothing and expressed ourselves openly and honestly.

In the mid to late 60's, I was astonished to see very masculine black men in high-waisted, tight fitting bell bottoms and puffy sleeved shirts walking along the street on high heeled, platform boots with a grace and style that 'blew my mind'. Somebody said at the time that these guys were so sure of their sexuality, they weren't afraid to appropriate a female appearance.

Above all we learned that underneath all the bright colours and personal expressions of style, there was a desire to challenge the conventions of the day, and unless you're one of those anti-boomer types, you'd have to admit those 'challenges' have served the public interest.

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