Fashion Trends in the 1960s: Hippies, Flower Children, and Design

Fashion Trends in the 1960s: Hippies, Flower Children, and Design
Lady Bird Johnson: Sports and Popular Culture

Skill: Middle School
Time Required: Three to four class periods


Introduction:

Fashion cycled once again.  This is the decade of the hippie.  The 1960’s brought many changes to the fashion industry, possibly reflecting the attitudes of the young people who wore the clothing.  President and First Lady Johnson would have seen this clothing style all around—you would have to wonder what they thought of the trend, especially since their daughters would have been teenagers at the time.   This lesson teaches students about the fashion trends of the 1960’s.  They will research, draw, and possibly even wear clothing styles of the 1960’s.

Objectives:


Students will research 1960’s clothing style using the Internet.
Students will draw various clothing and accessories.
Students will design a stamp and create a timeline of the 1960’s.

Materials Required:

Computer. Internet access, printer, paper, writing utensils, foil trays or pans (such as pie pans), large pieces of paper to create timeline, paint (tempera), paintbrushes, and brayer (mini-hand roller).

Procedures:

  1. Introduce students to the lesson, explaining to them that they will step backward into the 1960’s and examine the fashion of the decade.
  2. Using computers, have your students use the links below (or use search engines to find others) and research the various clothing styles such as bellbottoms, mini-skirts, go-go boots, and the general fashions that were in style during the 1960’s.
  3. Explain to students that they will have to draw several clothing items (you select the number) from images they view on the Internet.  They cannot trace images—must be done freehand or produced using a drawing program such as Paint.
  4. If desired, students may design their own clothing line, keeping within the context of the 1960’s clothing style.
  5. Once the images are drawn, students can place their image on top of the foil tray or pan and trace the image with the use of a pencil or similar item.  Be sure they do not puncture the foil, which will create a stamp. (* A potato stamp can also be made instead of using foil.)
  6. Place many different colors of paint in large trays around the room.
  7. Have students create a timeline by placing the each year on the timeline with the use of the paint, brushes, and brayers.
  8. Allow students to take their engraved foil image (or stamp) and place it in the paint.  Then place a stamp of their image on the appropriate place on the timeline.
  9. Then have students type an explanation and brief summary about the image next to the stamp.  This should explain the relevance and create an overall picture of the time period.

Extending the Lesson:

  •  Plan a ‘hippie day’ in your school.  Place certain constraints (miniskirts) to keep clothing decent, and have students dress in 1960’s fashion.

Sources & Resources:


Websites: Credits:
This lesson was developed by Marian Maxfield, Kent State University and the art portion of lesson was modified from Scott Dan at http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceArtDinosaurPrints12.htm

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