be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

With each passing year of my life, I go backwards. The 60s/70s decades changed the landscape of social/political culture in America. Yes, I was sure to wear flowers in my hair.

What Happened in the 1960s

With each passing year of my life, I go backwards. Kind of like the movie ‘Back to the Future’. You see, I find myself embracing and coveting all that was good and memorable for me about the 1960s and into the 70s.

College was full of new adventures, friends, experiences and wonderment. It was a time to be carefree and do what I wanted to do. Oh, yes, I worked really hard and long hours.

1960s America

After college, I was a teacher by day, and I slung hash by night. Yes, I was a waitress for 9 years working hard for tips and trying to achieve the American dream. For many years there weren’t those ‘big’ and forever responsibilities like children and family.

The 60s and 70s were decades that changed the landscape of social and political culture in America. Yes, I was sure to wear flowers in my hair.

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
Alpha Chi Omega Marshall University~my sorority sisters.

1960s Fashion Trends

When I was encapsulated in that time period, I, nor probably many of my friends, had no idea that we was part of a generation that would re-define so many things about life and living. We were major fashion changers.

Fashion in the 60s

Our leather and fringe, tie-dyed clothing, long flowing dresses, mini skirts, long scarves, vests, mis-matched clothing, bell bottoms, turtlenecks, psychedelic patterns, fringed and torn jeans, boots, granny glasses, suede suits, wedged shoes, headbands and jewelry, yes, the jewelry!

60s Fashion

Today many Millenials and GenX’ers feel a real connection with our era. No, they weren’t even born then, but their lifestyles and attitudes embrace this unconventional thinking, this desire to be unique, this quest to push to the edge of what life has to offer. It’s anchored in retailers like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Sundance, and Ralph Lauren.

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
I’m the young 23 year-old teacher dressed for success.

1960s Culture and Society

1960 was the beginning of JFK’s ‘New Frontier’. Change was uh comin’ and it would rock our worlds. I remember JFK campaigning. Yes, he came to our small Southern Appalachian town of Man, WV.

He rode in a convertible. It was like seeing royalty. I remember the day he was assassinated. The world stood still. I was in junior high. I cried.

1960s America

Even the food was changing in the 1960s. The casseroles of the 1950s were boring. It was time for backyard BBQs, fancy stuff from Julia, more global foods, fondue, cocktail parties, birthday parties, buffets.

Popular Food in the 1960s

Then there was the emergence of junk foods and new packaged food products like Shake n’ Bake, Tang, instant oatmeal, Coke in cans, BakOs, and chunky canned soups.

Our grooovy appliances were things like the toaster, coffee maker, hand mixer and electric can opener! Yes, things that I still use today that have been upscaled and improved.

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
Ally, Mom, sister Kat

1960s Vietnam War

There were so many other things that riveted our lives as teenagers in the 1960s. The Vietnam war. I saw many of my high school friends drafted and sent halfway around the globe, some came home, some didn’t.

My brother was drafted and sent. He was shot, paralyzed and awarded a Purple Heart. These boys, yes, just boys, were brave beyond words. They served valiantly. Duty, honor, country.

1960s An Important Decade

The 1960s and into the 70s. A period in history that brought pain and sacrifice. Decades that brought change and hope.

A time that burst forth with great music, pop art, charming idealism and counter culture thinking. An era that we ‘children of the 60s’ who are now in our 60s remember well.

1960s Music Artists

Our ‘world’ of things like Woodstock, feminism, the Peace Corps, Twiggy, Nehru jackets, Barbie dolls, GI Joes, the Beverley Hillbillies, Janis Joplin, Led Zeplin, Andy Warhol,  hippies and so much more leaves its indelible and formidable stamp on today’s society.

Yes, we were flower children with flower power.

Sorority House 1969 I’m 2rd from left sitting.

Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

Take a listen. This was my incredible world that helped prepare me for the 21st century. 

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

And, please leave a comment! I love hearing your memories! ooxo ~peace love & namaste~ ally

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
Or wear headbands~even today I have my 60s vibe alive!

 

 

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12 Comments

  1. Kathy Richards says:

    Ally thank you so much for this piece. I do relate. Went through it all, even taught school in the early 70s. So many memories, good and bad.

    1. Kathy, my love, yes, I totally get it and understand. Same here. Great memories (yes, those were days, my friend) and some really tragic sad one. We have a rich full life and much more time to gather memories. xoxx Thank you for your support! ~ally

  2. Anonymous says:

    Ally
    Thank you for sharing all the memories from “our” generation including your personal pictures…You are still beautiful inside and out…This song best expresses my feelings reading your post…It was a special time https://youtu.be/JnxTT7XXMPA

    1. Oh, Pauline! Your comment did come through! Thank you, and, yes, the song is perfect. Those were the days, my friend…now they’re just a distant memory. xoxx ~ally

  3. Dede Varner says:

    Where do you get your headbands?

    1. Hi, Dede! Oh, gosh, I get them from several places. Anthropologie, Free People…get some scarves, bandanas and headbands sometimes at WalMart and Target. Then whenever I find a cool boutique or store, I’m always looking for new headbands! I need to start designing my own!! Don’t be a stranger, luv! xoxx ~ally

  4. Ally!! What a beautiful piece. You were absolutely stunning then, but I think even more so now because you’re so comfortable and passionate in what you do and who you are. Love your hair!

    1. Shea! Thank you, luv, for coming by to reminisce w/me! It’s nice to share w/’youngsters’ like you (lol!) who appreciate these ‘stories’…thanks so so much, luv! Yes, my passions seem to be only accelerated by age! oxo ~peace & happiness~ ally

  5. Ally! What a pleasure to see and read about your path and growth into the woman you are today. In a word: gorgeous!

    1. Kimmeee…you know this period well…we all wore flowers in our hair…thank you, sweetness, for being my boho sister oxo ~peace~ ally

  6. Deb (Koontz) Steinberg says:

    What a walk down memory lane. As one of your sorority sisters it brought back a lot of fun memories as well as sad ones. Thanks so mech for sharing. If you ever in Denver get in touch.

    1. Deb! Thank you, my Alpha Chi sister! Yes, these were great years, but some sadness always tucked into crevices that make us who we are today. I will let you know when I’m in Denver…it would be GREAT to have lunch and catch up xox ~peace~ ally

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