Style can be a personal or societal trend. Sometimes earlier manners, behaviors, or characteristics can seem at best tone-deaf and at worst preposterous, prompting people to wonder why a certain appearance or design was embraced in the first place. People who remember the 1960s and 1970s can recall many of the styles and trends in this list – and might not miss them at all. But some may pine for other styles and behaviors that would be welcomed back.
The buttoned-down look was out in the 1960s and 1970s; those eras were a fashion free-for-all. Men and women wore platform shoes and sacrificed personal discomfort for style. Polyester shirts and leisure suits were de rigueur for a night out at a disco. A decade earlier, Nehru jackets came and went faster than a one-hit wonder in pop music. Men joined women in getting perms and Afros for African Americans were common. Mullet haircuts, first popular in the 1970s, threaten to make a comeback.
You saw things in homes in the 1960s and 1970s that are rare today, such as shag carpeting, bean bag chairs, linoleum flooring, water beds, and fuzzy toilet seat covers. Fondue get-togethers, in which attendees gathered around a pot of molten cheese or chocolate and dipped whatever you chose into the goo, were popular. Meatloaf was the comfort-food preference and could be extended for more than one meal. Dressing well for travel, ironing clothes, and writing in cursive were characteristics of the 1960s that spoke to a more graceful way of living and are missed. Click here for words and phrases Baby Boomers say that no one else understands.
To compile this list of styles that only Baby Boomers remember, 24/7 Tempo consulted several sources. These include Encyclopedia.com, BBC, and Ebony Magazine.
Shag Carpeting
A young man places fake stone panelling on the wall as a kneeling young woman applies fake bamboo panelling to furniture in their living room laid with shag carpeting, 1960s. (Photo by Frederic Lewis/Getty Images)
There was a time when carpeting was seen as the way of the future for flooring. Before this, wood was the only thing used inside homes. Wood is usually always the same color, though… Brown. Shag carpeting was colorful and bright, which gave people the chance to have fun with the appearance of their floors. In 2024, most homes have tile or solid surface floors instead of carpets.
Shag carpeting, while it looks cool, can be a pain to clean and maintain. It can also become smelly if it isn’t frequently power washed. Shag carpet rugs have started to make a comeback, thanks to the younger generation being into the vintage look. That doesn’t mean it’ll make a full comeback, though.
Platform Shoes
11th January 1973: Patent leather polka dot platform shoes by Smerling Imports with miniature goldfish bowls inside the heels. (Photo by F. Roy Kemp/BIPs/Getty Images)
Plenty of shorter folks can admit they’d like to be a little taller. Even though platforms are seen as a women’s only style in 2024, everyone was wearing platform shoes decades back. The style was made them matched to anything. Some have sparkles, some are all black, some are white. They’re easy to walk in, unlike most shoes that give you an extra few inches of height.
It’s widely known that a few extra inches of height an amplify a person’s level of confidence. Platform shoes did exactly that back in the day – for everyone.
Bellbottom Pants
There was once a time when the baggier the clothes, the more stylish it was. Bellbottom pants are the middle of this trend. The top of the pants look like tight, just like how they do in 2024. However, once you get to the bottom, they open up. It feels like the pants were designed to hide shoes.
These pants come in jean or business style, and it was common to see them almost anywhere you went back in the day. Because of how important the tightness of pants are in 2024, they won’t be making a comeback anytime soon.
Denim Pieces
American actor David Mason Daniels wearing a Levis denim jacket, United States, circa 1983. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Figuring out there are tons of different ways to wear denim inspired a generation of fashion. From jean jackets to jean shorts, to jeans themselves, the popular look took off as people started to dress more for comfort and relaxation than ever before. Prior to that, it was common to see people wearing suits and dressy clothes all day. The use of clothes to start expressing yourself became a popular thing to do, starting with denim.
Polyester Shirts
The 1970s was filled with people trying new looks and exploring wardrobe changes. One of the most popular styles to wear was the polyester shirt. These shirts were made to be comfortable, while also showing off personality. The bright colors made these shirts pop and stand out.
In 2024, the shirts have been used as a Halloween costume as a vintage look. Different sports teams and bars have retro nights all the time where polyester shirts are common. At this point, people prefer fabrics like cotton or cotton/polyester blends.
Leisure Suits
LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 27: Actress Julie Christie accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Away From Her onstage during the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Wearing a suit gives you a jolt of confidence you wouldn’t have if you wore something else. Unlike business suits, leisure suits were designed with the idea of style, but not a professional look. The button-up shirt that goes under a leisure suit usually is open at the top.
The suit jacket pulls further over on the person’s body who’s wearing it. A lot of these suits are more colorful than most suits as well. This look has been timeless and is still worn by classy folks today.
Beanbag Chairs
Chairs in 2024 have become so complex. There are some that massage you, some that lean all the way back, and some are heated. Some office chairs can cost hundreds of dollars. Back in the day, having a beanbag to plop down into was one of the best ways to relax. When video games exploded, these chairs became super common in game rooms among teenagers and college kids.
People could easily lug their beanbags around wherever they were hanging out for the night. They were strong and durable, so no one worried much about them breaking. There were dozens of different colors and designs, meaning everyone could find their style. Beanbags are still beloved now.
Fondue Parties
What’s better than getting a group of friends together to enjoy flavorful foods? Having fondue to dip those foods into of course. Fondue is a Swiss cheese that’s melted and runny. Dipping vegetables, meats, breads, and even fruits into the melted cheese creates extra flavor. This combination of food matches well with wine as well. These days, there are chocolate fondue fountains that are just as popular.
Lava Lamps
POOLE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Finished lava lamps are shown on display at the Mathmos factory on September 12, 2013 in Poole, England. The company, based in Poole, Dorset, has been making the lava lamp since 1963, after its British inventor Edward Craven-Walker was inspired to make it after seeing an odd looking liquid-filled egg timer in a pub. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
What’s more old school than a lava lamp waving around? These decorative lamps were seen as a symbol of the future. Television wasn’t huge at this point, meaning lava lamps were one of the first things people could look at for entertainment. The color schemes of each lamp paired easily with the design of different rooms.
The 1960s and 70s was a time when color started to pop in fashion, home decor, and more. The expansion of color on screen helped inspire more Baby Boomers to create their dream living areas.
Paisley Patterns
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Rufus Wainwright attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Is there anything more retro than a shirt with the same, colorful patterns facing different directions? The paisley pattern on clothing was simply another innovation people were eager to try decades ago. Flowers and different designs were openly accepted and encouraged to wear by Baby Boomers.
In 2024, the paisley design continues to be a fashion trend Baby Boomers remember. Thanks to the color schemes on each piece of clothing, they can be paired with almost anything.
Mood Rings
Recognizing someone’s mood can help you decipher how you should treat them at any given moment. However, finding out their true mood can be a challenge. Mood rings changed the game, regardless of how accurate they were. They were sold under the idea they could accurately guess your mood.
Mood rings allegedly work based on blood flow and how tight your muscles are at any given moment. These rings are another piece of jewelry Baby Boomers easily remember. The ring might not be able to tell you exactly how a person feels, but they were always fun to look at.
Water Beds
Achieving maximum comfort is a great way to practice self-love. However, up until water beds became a thing, it was tough to find the right bed at a reasonable price. Water beds were designed to conform to the way your body lays. Obviously, there are some threats to having a water bed.
You can’t keep anything sharp near the bed since there’s constant concerns about if they’ll accidentally pop. Water beds are still around in some places in 2024, but they helped designers come up with different ways to make them safer. Old school water beds Baby Boomers remember have been reworked and remodeled since then.
Mullet Haircut
1973: Pop singer and bass player Paul McCartney, formerly of The Beatles, sporting a fantastic mullet. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Trends recognized by Baby Boomers go beyond wardrobe choice. The mullet hairstyle shot up in popularity, thanks to celebrities like Paul McCartney and Billy Ray Cyrus. The theory behind a mullet look was to have the best of both world. It’s meant to help men look professional in front facing settings.
When they turned around, the mullet was long enough to show the fun side of their personalities. In 2024, there are still some people who rock the retro look. However, many men prefer the clean-cut look with hair that looks more organized and put together these days.
Afro Hair Style
Another hairstyle popularized back in the day was the afro. Instead of focusing on containing hair, the afro look allowed curly haired folks to let their hair out freely. This hairstyle is more common among the African-American community, since their hair texture is easier to maintain in afro form.
That doesn’t mean afros are reserved for African-Americans, though. People like Bob Ross also rocked afros back in the day as well, and he’s an artist who charmed Baby Boomers to the extreme. It’s a hairstyle that’s easy to maintain, but it can potentially require a lot of patience to maintain.
Men’s Perms
A bearded man and a young woman posting for a fashion shoot for Tiger Beat magazine, United States, circa 1985. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Men perming their hair to be curly is a trend that Baby Boomers are super familiar with. These days, the look usually goes along with a fade on the side of your head. Back in the day, though, the male perm went along with long hair. There were some people who would combine this with the mullet on the back.
If your hair isn’t naturally curly, but you want the look of curls, perming is the way to go. You have to be patient to make this look work since it’s not a one day process. Baby Boomers understand that it takes time to heat your hair to the point where it curls by itself naturally.
Macramé Pot Holders
Making your home look the way you want is one of the most important things in life for some people. One of the best ways to make this happen is by decorating with stunning plants. They bring vibrant color and great aromas,. They also give people a purpose in taking care of something.
Not everyone can take care of an animal or raise a child, so a plant is a nice thing to settle on. The macrame pot holder was a popular way to hang plants up. The holder needed to be sturdy, but also had to be stylish enough for people to want to have in their homes. They’re still around today, and with plants becoming even more popular, they should stay around for a long time.
Nehru Jackets
29th January 1958: A portrait of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964), wearing a jacket with a Nehru collar and multiple strand of beads, seated amongst Republic Day folk dancers at a ceremony in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Most professionals feel comfortable wearing a nice jacket of some kind. While it might not seem like it, a nice jacket can boost your confidence and cause you to turn around and stare at someone when they walk by you. The nehru jacket became popular back in the day, due to its uses.
They can be worn in a professional and personal settings. Multi-useful clothing staples end up being money-savers. The nehru jacket was once the perfect thing to buy, and they’re still worn today by Baby Boomers.
Dressing For Air Travel
These days, going to the airport means you’re likely going to wear your most comfortable clothes. Most folks don’t want to bust out anything too nice, since they know they’ll be swarmed with germs. However, back in the day, you would be negatively judged if you weren’t dressed up nicely for flying.
This is because flying on an airplane wasn’t something every person could afford. It was reserved for the super wealthy. That’s why you’ll see pictures of full meals being served on flights from decades past. The people who flew on planes were well-off, to say the least.
Writing in Cursive
Writing in cursive used to be a right of passage. It felt like learning a new language almost. The cursive writing style was once thought of as incredibly fancy. However, schools have stopped teaching it altogether. Gen-Z doesn’t know how to write in cursive because they never learned. Millennials weren’t forced to use it, so most barely remember how to do it.
Baby Boomers consider writing in cursive as an art. It will be interesting to see if this writing style ever returns to schools at any point. If so, older documents will be read exactly how they were written.
Fuzzy Toilet Seat Covers
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 25: (EDITORS NOTE: This images was created using digital filter) A toilet is covered with a Santa seat cover on December 25, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Millions of people across the UK spend time with family and loved ones on Christmas day, traditionally exchanging gifts and eating and drinking, whilst many also attend special church services. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Decorating your home in an outlandish manner is another art that seems to have disappeared in 2024. Fuzzy toilet seat covers made going to the bathroom feel fun for the aesthetics. Baby Boomers were known for collecting these pieces in celebration of different holidays and seasons. However, this trend has disappeared. It’s thought of as something from the past. Younger generations often prefer to decorate their home in modern or futuristic ways.
Socks and Sandals
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: A Boogie Wit da Hoodie attends the preparty for 50 Cents Final Lap Tour at Barclays Center on August 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Style has evolved over the years in so many awesome wats. Today, wearing socks and sandals is one of the worst fashion choices anyone could make regarding their footwear. However, back in the day, it was one of the most popular. Sandals were starting to take over, but people didn’t want to show off their feet.
Covering them with socks was the perfect middle ground for wearing them. The ease of slipping on shoes, while making sure your feet stay warm and clean, is a huge win. Younger generations prefer hiding their feet, so this Baby Boomer trend is a style that might come back.
Meatloaf
Meatloaf has been a beloved main entree for decades. It’s simply a combination of ground up beef and seasonings, but the different sides you can add to it makes it one of the most desirable dishes on the planet. Adding spices and cheeses to the inside of the meat adds amazing flavor.
Some of the best sides to include next to meatloaf are salad, potatoes, and mac & cheese. There aren’t a lot of foods that are as beloved and easy to eat than meatloaf. Baby Boomers know and love meatloaf, and they’ve done their best to educate younger generations about it.
Plastic Covering Furniture
Everyone is looking for the easiest and best ways to keep their home and furniture clean. One of the older methods was to cover your furniture in thick plastic. Since plastic covers can be wiped off or replaced, their popularity is understandable. However, it became expensive to buy the amount of plastic you’d need in order to cover every piece of furniture in your house.
Plastic also doesn’t last the same when it’s been washed in a full-fledged washing machine. These days, people prefer spraying their furniture down with stain resistant solutions. For more fads only Baby Boomers will remember, click here.