Summary:
In the 1950s, daughters tried to look like their mothers. In the 1960s, mothers tried to look like their daughters.' The 1960s was a period of rapid change in Britain and indeed the rest of the world.
Popular culture in Britain at the beginning of the 1960s can be summarised by a renowned quote: 'In the 1950s, daughters tried to look like their mothers. In the 1960s, mothers tried to look like their daughters.' The 1960s was a period of rapid change in Britain and indeed the rest of the world. It was a decade when fashions changed continuously and teenagers seemed to have more freedom than ever before. In 1960, most of the 5 million 13 to 19 year olds were more prosperous than ever before, outlined by Harold Macmillan in 1957, 'You've never had it so good.' This claim was supported by figures revealing that Britain's average weekly wage had almost doubled from 1950 to 1959, when it was £11.12 and unemployment was at an all time low. This new-found wealth was spent on the evolving popular culture, including fashion, music merchandise and entertainment amongst others, especially the new teenagers, sometimes referred to 'baby boomers.' The reason for a surge in ascendancy of the teenagers was that many couples put off having children during the war. Therefore, the birth rate increased dramatically in the years 1945 to 1947. By the beginning of the 1960s, all of these were teenagers.
Whilst the 1950s was dominated by the 'establishment,' or leaders of the older generation, with expectations for young people to become like their parents by fitting into traditional gender roles, respecting their elders and keeping strong family values, the tide was starting to turn in Britain in the 1960s. However, the speed of change was quicker in the United States, where Elvis Presley (nicknamed "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" because of his immense popularity), and James Dean (an actor and cultural icon) influenced the UK. This was because these new 'heroes' seemed to challenge social views. Presley horrified the older generation by his performances on stage, which were perceived by some to be sexually orientated. Dean, on the other hand, summed up the feelings of many young Americans in his film 'Rebel without a Cause,' wherein he argues with his parents, which was a symbol of rebelling against the establishment's values. The new concept of commercialisation of Presley and Dean led to British products such as the Beatles being 'sold' on their image, which was predominately clean-cut at the start of the 1960s.
Mary Quant set a precedent with the introduction of the miniskirt in 1955, later modelled by iconic figures such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton, who wore simple, youthful and often revealing clothes. Again, fashion in the late 1950s and 1960s challenged the establishment, who believed that modest clothing should be worn. In particular, caused a controversy when wore a miniskirt four inches above the knee to the Melbourne Cup. These new styles, coupled with Vidal Sassoon's creative hairstyles led to a 'Fashion Revolution.' Women were eager to lose their back-combed buffon of the 1950s, to be replaced by Sassoon's geometrical shapes. Many fashion lover s would shop in the Kings Road and Carnaby Street, which became the epicentre of London's fashion scene. These new fashions were followed intently by the new rebellious youth, keen to go against traditional conservative attitudes of their parents' generation.
Along with the 1960s fashion, the ever-changing music was a major part of popular culture. Record sales peaked at 72 million in 1964; the 1960s British music scene was very lively. Legendary groups such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Beach Boys were very successful. The Beatles had a record 27 number one hits and the introduction of seven inch vinyls enabled people to carry around their favourite singles and were affordable. The Beatles were formed in 1962 and by May 1963, they had their first number one in 'Please Please Me.' The next year 'Beatlemania' swept America after having conquered Britain already. At their sell-out concerts, there were thousands of screaming girls, who also followed them everywhere they went.
This is the complete article, containing 652 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
